PLATTSBURGH -- A whole lot of loose ends need tying before Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute becomes reality.

Clinton Community College recently got the nod for its curriculum for the technician-training program, but there's no location for the school yet, and CV-TEC has its enrollment deadlines that must be met.

Funding for the Laurentian Aerospace project -- the spur to create the new education program -- remains unclear in a struggling economy.

And even after all of those matters are ironed out, everything needs FAA approval.

To put it simply, CCC Interim President Dr. Frederick Woodward said, "there are still some issues."

FUNDING UNCERTAINTIES

Laurentian Aerospace Corp., based in Canada, two years ago proposed establishing a plane-refurbishing operation at PARC's flight line. There are only two other sites that do this specific type of work, and they are both overseas.

The project was expected to create hundreds of local jobs.

Laurentian had airline companies eager to become customers, and investors lined up for its $170 million proposal. But one of the major investors, based in Germany, backed out after initially agreeing to fund the project.

Now, the U.S. economy is struggling, and credit is much harder to come by.

Some people, who thought shovels would be in the ground by now, are skeptical about the future of the project.

CURRICULUM APPROVED

Meanwhile, Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute was hoping to open in September 2008.

The articulated program would allow juniors and seniors to earn more than 30 college credits while in high school, entering CCC with only a year remaining for an associate degree and eligibility for FAA certification as Part 147 airframe and power-plant technicians.

"They have to be tested and certified by the FAA," Woodward said. "It is a rigorous program."