"Doesnt look good for students who have had course run over time due to lack of machines "
Well if students (some students actually realise they are not gods gift to aviation) flew how they were trained to and kept to the rules.....like not flying in a LFA without permission with a passenger and then spudding it in then you would have had one more machine available. Helicopters dont grow on trees and are not a quick item to replace. If I owned one and I was approached by an operator who wanted to lease it.....I would be pretty cautious if the last one was pranged by a student.
I have also seen photos taken by some students while they are attempting sling loads
"ask the instructors if students complaints hold no weight."
I will do, seeing as I know all of them up there. I even trained a few of them.
Maybe its time to remove the student loan scheme, which will make it harder to get your licence but it will remove the people who arent really that keen.
End of an era.