Originally published at: https://avweb.com/aviation-news/gi-bill-flight-training-cap-opposition/
The groups argue that proposed limits on GI Bill flight training benefits would restrict veterans’ access to aviation careers.
Maybe the author should ask the original sponsors of this proposed legislation what brought this on.
We all know that original reporting is too expensive for AvWeb these days…
Flight training for G.I.s has been an issue for decades.
The noble aspirations of piloted flight has been reserved for “gentlemen”. Peons need not apply or attempt such ventures, even outside the command.
Using the G.I. Bill for flight training was simply “no”. Then it was, well maybe if you already had your PPL, you can go for your commercial. Then, the loophole was to “forgo” the PPL and be enrolled in a program “specifically” geared toward your commercial.
FYI
I’m currently using my Post 9/11 GI Bill for flight training. The Part 141 school is telling us that there is a flight hours cap, not a monetary cap.
I’m a slower student than I’d like to be, this has me worried.
My idea would be that veterans should be able to go to any public school and complete their program, so if it has a doctor or flight program, so be it. They should be able to progress and complete it, so there should be controls that ensure that, but IMO this is the best solution for veteran education. With private institutions, the costs skyrocket. A disabled vet showed me what was deposited in their school account once and it was literally a million dollars. They wanted to fly all around timebuilding, but ethically I couldn’t do that, because I had other students and a responsibility to get them through the course.
Reasonable limitations on spending for education need to be respected. It is also prudent to expect the students to have some skin in the game. Student loans with mandatory payback (because they are loans) is what students with expensive education and lucrative careers do. Veterans (except those with battle injuries) are not different. I don’t know if $119K is a reasonable limit for “tuition,” but it seems like a big number if it’s 100% gifted. Add some loan money to that. Make it enough to get a commercial license.
I used the GI Bill after obtaining my PPC. While still in the Air Force I flight instructed and flew Part 135 at various anssignments. After retiring from the Air Force I continued instructing and did corporate flying. Then a year or so later I was hired at a ‘commuter’ airline that grew into one of the largest regionals in the country. Retired at 65 after flying for the airline 24 years.
Now nearly 78 I continue flight instructing. So I can be considered a success story entirely due to the GI Bill as I could not have afforded it without it, and my time in the Air Force and their Aero Clubs, which have sadly disappeared from many Air Force bases.
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