Feds Looking Into Flight School Catering to Mexican Nationals

Reported by: Melissa Correa
Email: melissac@krgv.com
Last Update: 9:26 pm

WESLACO - A pilot from Mexico accused of buzzing a trio of boats in Port Mansfield is out on bond and back in Mexico, far from the trouble he faces in Willacy County.

The bond for 20-year-old Rodolfo Gonzalez-Gonzalez was dropped from $650,000 to $140,000. He posted bail Tuesday night.

Gonzalez was taking flying lessons in Weslaco. Gonzalez is one of several Mexican nationals who've come to the Valley to get pilot's licenses. They're able to obtain that federal certificate even though they aren't U.S. citizens. A flight school from Mexico offers the courses at Weslaco’s Mid-Valley Airport.

Across the street from the airport in an unassuming white warehouse is Praat Flight Academy, which has is headquartered in Mexico. It can legally operate in the United States. Foreigners can come here, become a certified U.S. pilot, even if they return to their own country. No questions asked.

Praat Flight Academy has operated under the radar for three years in Weslaco. People who make decisions about our national security were in the dark, unaware a foreign flight school is open for business here.

“I was not aware of it,â€