Let’s just look at the track record of IPTC/WMU. 1997 flying training starts with a course of seven self sponsored students. In 1998 WMU now has contracts with Aer Lingus, BA and Emirates. By the end of 2001 the contract with Aer Lingus is over and the last of the Emirates students are pretty near finished. However, a contract has been signed with Delta and three courses are in progress or in the offing plus a course of OBAP students (OBAP = Organisation of Black American Pilots. If you are white, however, you cannot say OBAP because it is racist).
At the beginning of 2002 six staff members are suspended from duty on the grounds of racial prejudice. These include the Head of Training, the CFI, his deputy, two flying instructors and one ground school instructor. No facts given but after a two month “investigation” during which witnesses for the defence are refused the chance to testify, those of the six who are still around are deemed to be guilty and all but one are made to retire at the end of the contract year by not having their contracts renewed.
Not satisfied with that the management of the university now decides to reduce the numbers even more and in October a few more instructors are sacked. Coincidentally, all these instructors are involved in JAA training. Just when those who were left thought it might be safe to go back in the water, there is yet another cull around the end of March this year resulting in some more redundancies.
For any of you out there who are still thinking of going to WMU, let me just point out that the current CFI has resigned, the former Head of Training has also resigned, and there will only be two UK licensed flying instructors on the payroll plus the Head of Training (who may or may not have an FAA licence and be able to legally instruct in the USA), plus some FAA instructors who are qualified to do JAA training. The atmosphere there, I am told, is, shall we say, fraught.
Presby, you are doing an admirable job in trying to defend the indefensible and keeping your job. However, the management at WMU has seen fit, for reasons known only to themselves, to release a relatively large number of people into the big wide world who have nothing to lose by telling the truth. As one of you said, “be very careful in your dealing with them.” (Sorry if that was a misquote but you know what I mean).