Student FAQs: Air Service Training (Engineering) Limited – in Administration (“AST”)

Student Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Shona Campbell of Henderson Loggie was appointed Administrator of AST on 10 April 2025.

What is Administration, and why has this happened?

Administration is a formal insolvency procedure where a licensed Insolvency Practitioner, who has been appointed Administrator, takes control of a company to manage its affairs, business and assets.

The aim of Administration is to rescue the company if possible or otherwise achieve the best return for creditors.

Unfortunately, due to the company’s financial position, the Administrator has had to make the difficult decision to reduce staff numbers and only certain courses will be run to the end of this academic year while the Administrator explores whether a sale of the business and/or assets is possible.

What does this mean for my course?

Why is UHI Perth (UHIP), AST’s owner, supporting the BSc students but are not doing similarly for other students?

UHIP has a contractual obligation, effectively from the Scottish Government, requiring the university to provide a route by which any existing BSc students are either able to complete their course or are prepared to accept an alternative programme.

Will I get any money back for my course?

Any money paid in advance for courses which are not completed, unfortunately, cannot be refunded due to the Company’s financial position. 

A claim will need to be submitted to the Administrator for money paid in advance for courses not completed. You should contact AST@HLCA.co.uk to request a Statement of Claim form to complete and return to the Administrator in order to lodge a claim in the Administration.

The Administrator and her staff cannot currently estimate whether there will be net funds available after the costs of the Administration to enable a dividend to be paid to AST’s creditors, as this depends on the level of asset realisations in the Administration. 

Creditors who have submitted claims in the Administration will be updated on the progress of the Administration in a six-monthly progress report.

I am here on a visa – what happens next?

For students on continuing courses, there will be no change to your visa.

For students on courses not continuing, UHIP will contact the authorities to advise that you are no longer an AST student. You will probably then need to return home.

How do I finish my Approved Course?

You will need to find another provider and agree with them the basis on which they accept you into that programme, including any allowance or credit for time and examinations taken at AST. UK CAA and EASA are generally very supportive of such arrangements. The Administrator, supported by AST, has had talks with the UK CAA and is working on a way to recognise all you have completed and produce a record of this that another Provider could use to determine what you need to carry out to complete a full Approved course.  Similar conversations will take place with EASA over the next few days. This has happened before and a similar process was used. There will be no financial support or contribution towards the subsequent course provision.

Why has this happened so soon after I made a booking or started my course?

AST has been facing business challenges for a while, however, it had a number of strong business prospects that it was progressing.  Unfortunately, those have not materialised, and subsequent efforts to find an alternative owner or significant investor have not been successful. Reluctantly, the AST Board has had no alternative but to opt for Administration.

Will I get a Certificate for any examinations that I have passed?

Providing the authorities allow Certificates to be issued, then a small team at AST will be clearing the backlog, assuming that each recipient has cleared any unpaid balances with the Administrator.

Please ensure your contact details on SRS are correct, especially the postal address.

When were UHIP staff aware of AST’s financial position?

UHIP staff were made aware of the financial position and the operating difficulties encountered by AST at the end of March 2025.

How will I manage to access my Training Records, hours and Certificates, which will be kept on record on the CAA SRS?

SRS will remain available as long as AST are still producing Certificates and hold an Approval.  After that there is a regulatory responsibility to keep all student records so they are available to the student and the authority.

Please ensure that your email address and your postal address are accurate on SRS so you can be contacted and Certificates can be dispatched.

Can I re-sit UK CAA and EASA modules with AST up until 30 May 2025?

Where numbers permit, AST will attempt to arrange examinations for eligible candidates.

How do I request either re-sits for Examinations or Remediation?

Email your request to AST@HLCA.co.uk and copy Andy Budge, AST Senior Training Manager, and we will look at the opportunity to accommodate your request

What are other alternative Part 147 providers in the UK and where are they based?

Resource Group are a Part 147 provider and run Approved courses.  The University of South Wales do the same, and there is a list of the UK Part 147 organisations on the UK CAA website.

Does the “time” aspect of the course count towards the licence, even if we are not able to complete the approved course? 

No, none of the time counts toward your licence, but some aspects you have completed could be used in the basic training requirements in your CAP 741 logbook.

Can I still do AMET?

As AST will not hold any Approvals after end of May 2025, it is now too late for AMET to start as it would not be completed before that date. 

A number of students are currently on AMET at PAML and this will be completed within the permitted timescales.

As a BSc student, how do I find out what happens next?

All BSc related questions should be submitted to Nicky.inglis.perth@uhi.ac.uk

As a student on a 2-year Approved Course, who now has to find another course provider, how long do I have in which to complete my courses?

There is no limit to how long it takes to complete the Approved Course, however, the Approved Course is valid for 10 years from the start of the course.

How long are my Examination certificates valid?

Nothing has changed.  Your Examination Certificates are valid for 10 years from the date that you passed the exam.

Will Training Notes stay on BrightSpace for student access?

It is anticipated that the materials will be removed from BrightSpace by UHI Perth at the end of May 2025.

I have another enquiry, who do I contact?

Please email AST@HLCA.co.uk and one the Administrator’s team will come back to you as soon as possible.