Its Helens fault
This is part of a new awakening in Helengrad. Shes discovered a concept called supply and demand. There was a demand for snatch hireage so the pro's were legalized last week. Theres no demand for pilots or other high cost qualifications apparently so she's strangling the loans. That didn't really work because the applications keep rolling in, but put the cost of the books up - what a master stroke. The students are really spewing. Airline pilots, as someone above said, don't give a toss, because its paid for. $500 for some books just to pass exams. I thought Massey (not sure about the flying side) went crazy on texts, but CAA has them beat. Its wonderful to be part of such a clever little piece of paradise.