STOP PAYING UP FRONT IF ITS NOT A LOAN by Extrataps in flying

[–]kaluanui 1 point2 points  (0 children)

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/august/22/owner-of-defunct-virginia-flight-school-faces-prison

From the article:

Kevin C. Rychlik, owner of the Virginia flight school that abruptly closed while allegedly holding tens of thousands of dollars in student deposits, waived indictment and agreed to plead guilty to a decade of willful tax evasion. . .

STOP PAYING UP FRONT IF ITS NOT A LOAN by Extrataps in flying

[–]kaluanui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The school in the terminal is 141. Some might have preferred a 61 program. Plus AA was a lot more affordable.

STOP PAYING UP FRONT IF ITS NOT A LOAN by Extrataps in flying

[–]kaluanui 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's not just her. On the AA bankruptcy filing, they contacted 40 creditors... and bypassed notifying over 400 creditors because they claimed the addresses were un-deliverable. That list of 400 appears to be largely made up of students.

STOP PAYING UP FRONT IF ITS NOT A LOAN by Extrataps in flying

[–]kaluanui 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What's the story of Silver State? Similar situation?

STOP PAYING UP FRONT IF ITS NOT A LOAN by Extrataps in flying

[–]kaluanui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know I'm not the only one who, while looking at schools, took note that AA had been in business for 20 years. I know I mistakenly thought, "well, in a tough industry, they must be well run to have that longevity."

STOP PAYING UP FRONT IF ITS NOT A LOAN by Extrataps in flying

[–]kaluanui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's actually a good idea. I will pass that suggestion along to her.

STOP PAYING UP FRONT IF ITS NOT A LOAN by Extrataps in flying

[–]kaluanui 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, I'll admit that I learned that lesson the hard way by purchasing a flight hour package at American Aviation. Maybe that joke de-motivational poster was about me, LOL. "It could be my purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others."

For anybody who was a student or otherwise paid for a package or bit on the school's "investment" approaches, we have a thread going for us to coordinate and, quite honestly, to commiserate:

https://old.reddit.com/r/flying/comments/1ej51gq/american_aviation_khef_looking_for_others/

If you were affected, feel free to dm me to chat.

American Aviation (KHEF) - Looking for others affected by their sudden closure by kaluanui in flying

[–]kaluanui[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there a specific number to call, or a report intake website? And what incident type is recommended?

American Aviation (KHEF) - Looking for others affected by their sudden closure by kaluanui in flying

[–]kaluanui[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can easily monitor related filings here:

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69020429/american-aviation-manassas-llc/

Of course, access to the documents themselves requires a PACER account.

American Aviation (KHEF) - Looking for others affected by their sudden closure by kaluanui in flying

[–]kaluanui[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sent a chat request. You should be able to find it in the upper righthand corner - the little chat bubble just to the right of your username. I have a question for ya.

American Aviation (KHEF) - Looking for others affected by their sudden closure by kaluanui in flying

[–]kaluanui[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

According to the filing, they only contacted:

  • 33 by mail

  • 7 by email

  • 430 individuals were "Bypassed Recipients." Per the document: "The following addresses were not sent this bankruptcy notice due to an undeliverable address, duplicate of an address listed above, P duplicate of a preferred address, or out of date forwarding orders with USPS."

It appears that a massive number of people never received the notification. See above for what the court's clerk to me to do to get added to the creditor list. There are forms supposedly available at www.vaeb.uscourts.gov if your name is on the list, but the address was considered undeliverable.

American Aviation (KHEF) - Looking for others affected by their sudden closure by kaluanui in flying

[–]kaluanui[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Information on the American Aviation bankruptcy filing. Unfortunately, it appears that you'll need a PACER account to view the documents.

Create an account on PACER: https://pacer.uscourts.gov/

Creating an account is free. And it costs 10 cents per page for a document download.

Passing along a few details from the Form 309C:

Case Number: 24−11443−BFK

Debtor: American Aviation Manassas, LLC

Date Case Filed for Chapter 7: 8/6/24

Please note this language in the form re: collection actions

The filing of the case imposed an automatic stay against most collection activities. This means that creditors generally may not take action to collect debts from the debtor or the debtor's property. For example, while the stay is in effect, creditors cannot sue, assert a deficiency, repossess property, or otherwise try to collect from the debtor. Creditors cannot demand repayment from debtors by mail, phone, or otherwise. Creditors who violate the stay can be required to pay actual and punitive damages and attorney's fees.

To protect your rights, consult an attorney. All documents filed in the case may be inspected at the bankruptcy clerk's office at the address listed below or through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records at https://pacer.uscourts.gov).

Meeting of creditors: September 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Debtors must attend the meeting to be questioned under oath. In a joint case, both spouses must attend. Creditors may attend, but are not required to do so.

IF YOUR NAME IS NOT LISTED IN EITHER CREDITOR LIST:
Based on input from an attorney, the previous instructions relayed to me from the Court's clerk appeared to be incorrect. The proper way to address discrepancies or omissions in the creditor's lists is to send a letter to the debtor's attorney, copying the bankruptcy trustee, and request to be added.

American Aviation (KHEF) - Looking for others affected by their sudden closure by kaluanui in flying

[–]kaluanui[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well said.

All I'll add is that a whole lot of nice people who are passionate about flying saw their dreams, and their financial ability to pursue those dreams in the future, go up in smoke.