Pilot Certification (Private)

[OCSAllTheWay]

Since I'm already about out of money from my GI Bill when I was active duty, and about to get a bachelor's, I figured I'd ask before I even entered an OCS contract so I know what I need to do for financing: Is there another mechanism by which the guard would pay for Private Pilot training (Part 61 or 141), or am I going to have to pursue my own?

Obviously the answer has no bearing on whether I'm signing the contract or my branch, just planning and wondering.

Edit: I did a search, closest answer was about a year and a half old, which is why I'm asking.

[AmPat]

My state's (WI) veterans' benefits for education have been continually changing for the last 6 years. However, one way or another, they always paid for or required schools to waive tuition. Few flight instruction facilities were covered under these programs, but there was one school two hours away that the state would have paid for. It was too far for me so I paid out of pocket at a closer place. If you've used up all of your federal GI Bill, the state GI Bill, if it exists for you is the only thing I can think of.

That's not to say there aren't other federal programs. I wouldn't be surprised if there were something in the stimulus bill.

[OCSAllTheWay]

Yeah, well when I was stationed in Japan I was thinking about starting the training but never got the chance by the time I PCSd back to Fort Gordon, so I figured, if nothing from the guard covers it, then the money I have from OCS and BOLC II/III would be enough to cover it.

[ctfrasier]

Check with a local college. Some offer the opportunity to take flying lesson for credit. My guess is this is more likely to be covered than a private flight school.

[RobLyman]

The federal GI Bill pays for 60% of flight training for commercial, instrument or higher level training. They do not cover private pilot training. Their reasoning is that the GI Bill is there to help you with a new career. If your state is different and provides private pilot training funding, that is great, but it would be a departure from the federal program.

Having already earned a commercial instrument license, I used my VA benefits to pay for CFI, CFII and MEI licenses. It's a great deal! To use GI Bill for flight training you will need to find a part 141 school that is ALSO VA approved.

[OCSAllTheWay]

The federal GI Bill pays for 60% of flight training for commercial, instrument or higher level training. They do not cover private pilot training. Their reasoning is that the GI Bill is there to help you with a new career. If your state is different and provides private pilot training funding, that is great, but it would be a departure from the federal program.

Having already earned a commercial instrument license, I used my VA benefits to pay for CFI, CFII and MEI licenses. It's a great deal! To use GI Bill for flight training you will need to find a part 141 school that is ALSO VA approved.

Thanks for the info.

[dnall]

The federal GI Bill pays for 60% of flight training for commercial, instrument or higher level training. They do not cover private pilot training. Their reasoning is that the GI Bill is there to help you with a new career. If your state is different and provides private pilot training funding, that is great, but it would be a departure from the federal program.

Having already earned a commercial instrument license, I used my VA benefits to pay for CFI, CFII and MEI licenses. It's a great deal! To use GI Bill for flight training you will need to find a part 141 school that is ALSO VA approved.
Branch AV and toss some beers at the half dozen guys in the unit with a CFI to do the SEL transition for you. Other than that, the above is your best answer (and what I'm going to do).

[taseal]

The federal GI Bill pays for 60% of flight training for commercial, instrument or higher level training. They do not cover private pilot training. Their reasoning is that the GI Bill is there to help you with a new career. If your state is different and provides private pilot training funding, that is great, but it would be a departure from the federal program.

Having already earned a commercial instrument license, I used my VA benefits to pay for CFI, CFII and MEI licenses. It's a great deal! To use GI Bill for flight training you will need to find a part 141 school that is ALSO VA approved.

wow really? I could get my CFI/I, MEI and CSEL!!!! I just have CMEL atm

[dnall]

wow really? I could get my CFI/I, MEI and CSEL!!!! I just have CMEL atm
Is that supposed to be sarcastic?

[RobLyman]

wow really? I could get my CFI/I, MEI and CSEL!!!! I just have CMEL atm
ATM? Air Traffic Management? If you have a CMEL, perhaps you are in the wrong MOS?

[OCSAllTheWay]

ATM? Air Traffic Management? If you have a CMEL, perhaps you are in the wrong MOS?

Think he said atm as in at the moment.