Hey there MattyJ,
A lot of the average Jo student population have moved to Hamilton or Palmerston North, because they are learning with an outfit that can charge everything to the student loan or similar.
Jo Student who pays out of their own pocket are alive and well at Ardmore!
Taupo, ahhhhhh yes, the problems seem to come from the pilots trained on the said loan system, have had no experience at real aviation, instructing, charters, meatbombing , scenics etc, but instead are used to the tunnell vision approach, safe and secure under radar control, tower guided approaches, etc,etc.
The day they know what situational awareness is, whilst they fly the aircraft, is the day pink elephants will fly past the window.
These fellows(and fellow-esses) need some practical flying experience before
the 'airline pilot' career.
Safety comes from each and everyone of us involved in aviation, not a select few wanting to be wrapped in cottonwool.
Having said that, the weekend warriors need to be reminded about give way rules on the circuit. especially at Ardmore(as do some instructors!)
