Ontario flight school may be grounded

Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada: It’s doubtful a plan to launch a large-scale flight training school for up to 300 students annually from India will take flight at the Chatham-Kent Municipal Airport.
“The plan had the potential of bringing in about $20 million annually to the local economy starting in March,” Dan Rocheleau, president of Sontair Ltd., which manages the airport, told The Daily News Monday.
Rocheleau said a combination of things, including a police investigation, local opposition to the plan and “politicking” has likely chased away any interest there was.
He said the Indian government is picking up the tab for having as many as 5,000 of its citizens trained as pilots each year.
He said India is paying up to $47,000 per student for pilot training in Canada.
Rocheleau said he was approached by two young Indian businessmen, both of whom are Canadian citizens, with the idea of launching a flight school at the under-utilized Chatham-Kent airport facility.
“They are both associated with another flight school in southwestern Ontario,” he said.
Rocheleau said he has discussed his plans with municipal officials, including CEO Bob Browning.
“I understand it’s going to be discussed at Monday night’s council meeting,” he said.
04/10/10 The Chatham Daily News, Canada