Other articles by Jack Gillum:

Complaint against airline escalatesAirport marks high point: 'TUCSON' tower turns 50TIA to celebrate tower's 50thLocal, state bankruptcies are surgingIf pro-lender proposition fails, 100+ empty stores could dot Tucson areaProp 200 defeat would leave buildings empty across TucsonTucson can expect to see credit get even tighterMagnus had role in WaMu's fall$700B bailout plan meets skepticism among TucsonansTucson maker of gene-testing plates makes solid gains locally

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Recent years have been good to many flight-training schools in the United States, including the National Pilot Academy, as airlines and other businesses hired pilots.

But this year, due largely to rising fuel costs and resulting cuts at the airlines, hiring has slowed.

While air carriers have trimmed back personnel as they face rising fuel costs, this may be a good time for aspiring pilots to head to school, one industry expert says

"It's not an unusual thing to start in a down period," said Kit Darby, president of Atlanta-based AIR Inc., a job-resource organization for pilots. That's because by the time pilots leave school there may be an upswing in employment, he said.

So, while some students have started in such down periods, they are not alone in facing the pitfalls of a weak economy.

The International Airline Training Academy, just down the road from NPA at Ryan, was held up to scrutiny earlier this year when a group of students said the school falsely promised quick training.

In February, the group of 10 students from India told the Arizona Daily Star they were collectively owed more than $120,000 in tuition refunds from IATA, 6400 S. Aviator Lane, after choosing to end their training. The group asked the school repeatedly for refunds but to no avail.

In April, IATA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

And in February, Las Vegas-based Silver State Helicopters LCC filed for Chapter 7 liquidation. The move left hundreds in Tucson and Phoenix who said they were owed tuition reimbursements, flight-training time or both. The bankruptcy listed hundreds of creditors, and filings show it has between $10 million and $50 million in debt.

Both cases are ongoing.