Response By Dr. Bruce A. Smith, President / CEO, UND Aerospace to Article UND Boasts About Offering "Crash Courses" for Pilots From the Middle-East

The following statement covers UND Aerospace's position on training
International students. 

The Odegard School fully subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity.
We do not restrict our enrollment in any way with regard to Race, Age,
Sex, Religion, Color, Creed, or National Origin. In the past we have
trained students from all parts of the world and we will continue to
welcome and respect all international students in the future. This does
not mean that we accept anyone who applies. All of our students must
qualify and be admitted to the University of North Dakota. This includes
proper sanctions from the Federal Government agencies with regard to
passports and visas. The international students flying in our contract
training programs must be company sponsored. In addition to adhering to
the same admissions standards, these contract students must go through
separate screening processes conducted by their sponsoring companies. In
other words, a person can't simply "walk in from off the street" and
receive flight training at UND. We do not intend to change this policy
and we will continue to train international students.

In addition, It is also important to note: The extent of our current
pilot training capabilities do not go beyond those of a "Light Twin
Engine Training Aircraft" specifically, the Piper Seminole and Beech
Baron. We have absolutely no capability or desire  to train pilots to
fly "Heavy Airliners" like the Boeing 757 / 767.

Regards, Dr. Bruce A. Smith, President / CEO, UND Aerospace

OUR REPLY:

1. In view of the fact that it is widely believed that Saudia Arabia is unstable and that these are government companies, is it at all reasonable to rely on the sponsoring companies to check for "sleeper terrorist agents"?

2. Although you say that UND has no interest in "Heavy Airliners" like the Boeing 757 / 767, what about the purchase of MD 600N and MH-90 Enforcer helicopters that could have military uses?

3. Is there any guarantee that UND trained pilots will not be able to take over an in-flight big commercial airliner and crash into a terrorist target?