A longstanding flight school in B.C. is planning a significant expansion at the Kamloops Airport.

The Canadian Flight Centre has received a development permit from the City to build a 10,000-square-foot hangar, with office and classroom space.

Speaking on NL Newsday, CEO and President Peter Schleik says the flight school has been in the Lower Mainland since 1979 – currently based in Pitt Meadows – and he sees Kamloops as a good place to expand.

“We have a lot more flying days in Kamloops than in the Lower Mainland. Cold weather doesn’t stop us, rain for that matter doesn’t really stop us, but there’s really not that much in Kamloops. We fly down to temperatures of down to minus-20 degrees, and if it gets colder than we put it on hold.”

Schleik hopes the new hangar can be up and running in Kamloops by this winter.

He expects that most students in Kamloops will be from out of country.

“We bought a townhouse in Brock for our students, so they have to travel a short distance to the airport. But accommodation at the airport, that doesn’t fly. But it’s classrooms, briefing rooms, simulator rooms, all the stuff that you need for your studies.”