August 05, 2010 - Many students from all walks of the globe, dream of becoming a pilot since the invention of the airplane and this is the same for young people living in China. However, there is a big difference in the opportunity for students to receive flight training.

In the United States a student can go to his or her local airport and enroll in flight training and become a pilot at a fairly reasonable price. In China it is not the same and as a result many students travel aboard to receive flight training but at a risk.  

Michael Luo and Bravo Chen, both age 23, left China and went to Ontario, Canada to pursue their dreams of one day becoming an airline pilot. Both young men enrolled into flight training at Maylan Flight Academy located at London International Airport, London, Ontario.

In addition the students had complained to authorities that they were not getting the flight hours as agreed to and students claimed their living accommodations were substandard. In one example nine students were living in one three-bedroom townhouse. "I got a sense over the months that they really didn't know how to run this school," said Ron Speer, a board member of the Dunnville Chamber of Commerce.

Both Lou and Chen face eviction for non-payment of rent at the cramped two-bedroom apartment he shares with five classmates. They both worry the money that was given to them by family members maybe lost. Chen said he?s spoken to Maylan?s owner, just once since the school closed. ?He told me Maylan would be re-started someday, but I don?t know when. But then he totally disappeared.? 

Stephen Funtig, acting receiver, said, ?15 of Maylan?s aircraft are currently under lock and key while finances are sorted out." The schools aircraft fleet consist of 4 DA-20s, 2 C172Ms, 2 C172Rs, 1 DA40, 1 PA30. Maylan Flight Academy was founded to take advantage of the boom in air travel in China by catering exclusively to Chinese students. The Chinese military has tight restrictions on its airspace and as a result provide very little flight training to students. As a result students who wish to become pilots are forced to go overseas.  (See Wachovia Files Lawsuit Against Owners Of Jet University And Simcenter)