Concerns Over Chinese Nationals Training as Pilots in the U.S.

Senator Jim Banks from Indiana has raised concerns about Chinese nationals receiving pilot training in the United States. A recent book by Peter Schweizer, a best-selling author and contributor for Breitbart News, explores how American elites and certain foreign powers might exploit immigration.

According to the National Review, Banks has reached out to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding this issue. He argues that those undergoing training could potentially become part of the military structure of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and help fill their need for pilots.

In his correspondence, Banks stated, “Every Chinese citizen trained at an American flight school is helping to break the bottleneck for Chinese pilots. While some will pursue civilian careers, the CCP uses military-civil fusion strategies that obscure our understanding of this training. More aviators trained means more possibilities for the Chinese military to onboard pilots for dubious missions.”

Schweizer’s book mentions that China faces a significant pilot shortage, requiring around 5,000 new pilots annually for both military and civilian roles. However, due to strict control over airspace, only about 1,200 pilots can be produced domestically each year. Consequently, China has reportedly set up a covert system to train an additional 3,000 pilots annually in the U.S.

Moreover, at least 16 schools across the U.S. are believed to be training Chinese cadets, often without revealing their affiliations with the military. These future pilots often disguise their military intentions to gain entry into U.S. flight training programs.

In a January discussion on “The Alex Marlowe Show,” Secretary of the Army, Kingsley Wilson, expressed her disapproval, labeling the training of Chinese pilots in the U.S. as “unacceptable.” She indicated collaboration with agencies like the FBI and Homeland Security to identify and report such activities swiftly.

In closing, Banks urged the TSA to revise its flight training safety program to prevent individuals from adversarial nations, such as China, from attending U.S. flight schools. He emphasized the importance of ensuring American flight training aligns with national interests rather than those of Xi Jinping.

On social media, Schweizer commended Senator Banks for his actions, highlighting the risks discussed in his book regarding Chinese pilot training at American flight schools.

Schweizer’s book, titled “The Invisible Coup: How American Elites and Foreign Powers Use Immigration as a Weapon,” recently debuted at the top of the New York Times bestseller list.