L3 NZ Hamilton base set to close

[A320cp]

Looks like the L3 (formerly CTC) base in Hamilton NZ will be closing in February next year according to this article. Shame, NZ was a great place to learn to fly.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/123290799/covid19-hamilton-flying-school-set-to-close-coronavirus-to-blame?fbclid=IwAR1hZ3bsH2-1R47GGptDIOqIydvVpWOcbts5QP8CKrAykVQs0QGDyRXdLRw

[PilotLZ]

Hardly a surprise as travelling to New Zealand for training will not be an option anytime soon.

[Alex Whittingham]

No statement yet as to what might happen to the cadets under training?

[VariablePitchP]

In all likelihood they’ll be totally screwed over no matter what the outcome is. Get ready for huge delays, zero comms and extra expense.

[ZFT]

Did you read the news report? All cadets should finish training by February.

[Alex Whittingham]

missed that, thank you

[SPDBRD1]

No statement yet as to what might happen to the cadets under training?
I was at the meeting this morning where this was announced and the details are as follows.

the business now enters a period a consultation with staff with regards to the proposed closure in Feb 21. This is the earliest target date they have at the moment.
Around 90% of EASA/UK CAA students will complete their required training prior to the closure. The vast majority of them will do so by January. Cadets are leaving nearly weekly as they complete their training out here and this will continue to happen. The small number that do not will be slotted back into the UK training as a priority.
Options for NZ student to transfer to other NZ schools being explored.
Options for Singapore and Hong Kong CAA students who need to transfer to other training providers are being explored.

Most importantly, its the staff I feel for. They are absolutely incredible, and care massively about us as cadets. We all knew this day was coming, it's been obvious for a few months, but it doesn't make it any easier for them.

[PFD]

Harris never wanted the flight training side of things from L3, they clearly just wanted the Simulators.

[glush]

Incorrect.

Ongoing investments in terms of infrastructure and hiring of instructing staff are currently being made into the U.K. and Portuguese flight training operations.

[PFD]

Oh really. We’ll see.

[parkfell]

So you terminate your valued customers from the Portuguese base;
now you recruit staff for the base?
I just wonder if the recent track record will inspire new customers and staff to be queuing at the door ~ revolving variant?

[spitfirejock]

Looking at the performance of the L3 representative at the recent Pilot Careers Live Virtual event, it suggests they have no idea about what to do next - it was very uninspiring indeed.

Maybe if the big players give up it could be a good thing? You never know, it might lead to thriving high quality modular ATO's reemerging offering the same thing at less than half the price so no-one has to go into huge debt to follow their dream!

Having said this, we do need legislation, in my humble opinion, to prevent schools (all schools) having more than 10% of the course cost on deposit at any time. The sad fact is, form many the dream and the gloss lures them to make absolutely stupid decisions about money which are quite incomprehensible.