Senator Warns of Threat Posed by Chinese Nationals Receiving US Flight Training

Chinese nationals receive U.S. flight training as China faces military and civilian pilot shortfall, according to Sen. Jim Banks.

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) on Capitol Hill on March 27, 2019. York Du/NTD

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) is urging federal aviation security officials to tighten oversight of U.S. flight schools training Chinese nationals, warning that these programs must “serve American interests” and not the Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s “dreams.”

Banks announced on March 16 that he sent a letter last week to Ha Nguyen McNeill, acting administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).