L'Aviateur:
a) there's no need to pay up front and as you have already been advised it is not a good idea generally. Keep the money in your bank and pay by debit card or cheque.
b) With a possible recession looming luxury passtimes like flying are the first to be hit
c) If Wings has closed down, presumably it was due to lack of support. Does this have any link to the flying hours being down also? Probably.