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VA not paying for Private Lic. How to get it done


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This seems to be a recurring topic….

 

After being in this business for a while now, I can look back and can say with out a doubt, the who paid for, and how my training was paid for is, slash was, a minor insignificant detail. To an extent, I didn’t have to but; I would’ve worked 24/7/365 to earn the cash to pay to be a pro helo-jock. More significantly, the hardship to succeed in this business goes well beyond the financial aspect of initial training. Basically, getting the funds to pay for training, where ever it may come form, is the easy part. Conversely, working for a corrupt m-’f-er for poverty wages flying a POS machine just so you can get ahead far outweighs the initial training cost confusion generated by the feds’ and flight schools. In the end, the message is; if you want to succeed in this business don’t rely on anyone but your self 100% of the time. If you can’t do that from day-one, you’ll be 'way' disappointed down the road. Plus, this industry doesn’t need another complainer broadcasting how unfair this business can be…….. I don’t, nor anyone else in this business, cares where the funds come from….. It boils down to, what are YOU willing to do to make it happen and if you think you’ve done that already, you’d be highly mistaken………

 

Wanna be a pro helo pilot? first step, look in the mirror and decide nothing, absolutely nothing, will stand in your way, including the VA, your family, your friends or anything else for that matter and then maybe, just maybe, it will happen……. Maybe………

Edited by Spike
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  • 7 months later...

Thanks for the information OR-Flyer! Unfortunately, I already moved to Baton Rouge with the expectations of being in school with Guidance. They notified me last minute of their suspension, so I'm kind of stuck here. I'll hopefully be flying in July with Bristow, they have sold their facility to a college in New Iberia and from what I've been told, will accept the GI Bill.

 

If not, I'll be giving you a call.

 

Thanks again for the info

Hey ATG, Welcome to Louisiana! I am new here and am interested in attending guidance aviation and BRCC for the same program, I believe, that you are. What is the status of this situation now? I am currently active duty and deployed but I am looking to transition out just after the new year into rotary flight school. Any insight is appreciated!

Chad

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Chad, stay safe over there! My advice would be to try get your rotary wings in the military if you can. I know what you'll have to go through but at least you'll be getting paid to learn how to fly instead of the other way around. Rotary flight school is expensive on the civilian side and there aren't that many legit rotary flight schools around anymore after the audit. Look pacific northwest for some schools that are still open.

 

If you're set on getting out and using the GI Bill like I was then here's how it worked out for me...

 

I am currently half way into getting my private license in fixed wing since it's cheaper than rotary ($8000 compared to $25000). The GI Bill will not cover that anymore. Some places offer reimbursement but its hard to find since the VA doesn't like to send checks out to these schools anymore.

 

After I get my private license, I'll be using my GI Bill at an accredited flight school (Middle Tennessee State University) to get the rest of my ratings. This is like going to Embry Riddle. Since your flight training is part of a 4 year degree, the GI Bill can be used. However, Congress has capped the amount that can be used for actual flight time. It's just enough for the ratings you should be getting.

 

Now you could go to a school like Embry or MTSU right out the gate and not pay anything out of pocket. I live in Memphis and have gotten to know a few FedEx pilots who encouraged me to get my private license ahead of time to 1. Get ahead and 2. Avoid the stress of getting washed out first semester. Plus I had some extra time to spare before starting school.

 

Hope this helps, feel free to message me for any other questions you might have. I'm by no means the authority on this, but I'll be happy to share all the road blocks I've faced so far and my plans for getting my wings.

 

Stay Safe,

Alexander

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Alexander, I appreciate your reply so very much. Although, some of it comes as a crusher. While I was viewing Guidance's website, they project heavy GI bill support, hence how I found this place. That's what I don't get about them not covering it anymore. What a downer. I am 11yrs into service and my job is navigation, and im sure you know for me to go O would be drastic right now. I guess I should reach out to our VA folks when I get back to the states and see what my options are. I emailed Guidance a week ago but have no answer yet. Thanks so much for the reply Alexander.

 

Chad

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Several people here must have lost connection with current price on flight training. The average private pilot takes between 55-70 hours to pass the checkride. Some even more.

The average R22 costs between 260-350 hr wet with an Instructor. Do the math here. Thats not including ground classes, books, headsets, flight suit, and clean undies as gifts for your instructor at Christmas. ;)

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Long time lurker on this forum, felt like the need was there to register and comment. The VA will still pay for your ratings including pvt though you have to find a school that has put forth the effort to be in compliance. Leading Edge aviation in Bend Oregon and COCC have taken the steps needed to make that happen. New students are starting this term with the VA paying. The school has just purchased and is finishing up installation on a frasca level 5 sim, for the r44, last I knew it is the only one operating in the states. If you are looking to get into flight training, its worth looking into it.

 

DISCLAIMER: I am employed with Leading Edge Aviation.

Thanks for looking

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  • 2 weeks later...

Long time lurker on this forum, felt like the need was there to register and comment. The VA will still pay for your ratings including pvt though you have to find a school that has put forth the effort to be in compliance. Leading Edge aviation in Bend Oregon and COCC have taken the steps needed to make that happen. New students are starting this term with the VA paying. The school has just purchased and is finishing up installation on a frasca level 5 sim, for the r44, last I knew it is the only one operating in the states. If you are looking to get into flight training, its worth looking into it.

 

DISCLAIMER: I am employed with Leading Edge Aviation.

Thanks for looking

Thanks big fan, I appreciate the reply.

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Five kids? Good luck supporting them on a flight instructor's salary, let alone entry level "real jobs"!

 

,...and if they want someone to blame for the VA's turnaround, they need look no further than ULA and their co- abusers of the system!

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Five kids? Good luck supporting them on a flight instructor's salary, let alone entry level "real jobs"!

 

,...and if they want someone to blame for the VA's turnaround, they need look no further than ULA and their co- abusers of the system!

So glad I took advantage of that groupon for a vasectomy a few years back....you can find some awesome deals on there!

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So glad I took advantage of that groupon for a vasectomy a few years back....you can find some awesome deals on there!

Actually I believe THAT is something the military will still pay for. :)

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  • 2 weeks later...

The concept of going private in fixed-wing then having the VA fund a commercial add-on and then CFI in helicopters is at first economically viable. However, you need to consider that you still have to compete for a job as an instructing. Merely earning a CFI will not guarantee you a job. If you go the f/w route first, you may potentially be behind your peers in hours once it becomes time to look for that job as an instructor. If you cannot get a job as an instructor then you will end up having to 'buy-time' or end your flight career. This negates any benefits of starting out in fixed-wing. Remember not everyone gets hired to be an instructor at most schools. And trying to find work at another school is extremely difficult bordering on impossible if you haven't logged time as an instructor.

 

My suggestion would be to start in helicopters and work your way up. If its not economically viable to afford your private certificate, you may find it extremely difficult to survive as an instructor. The pay is low and not usually enough to support more than yourself (I dipped into my savings to get by).

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After someone completes their commercial program up to CFII, do the schools usually hire them or are they sent out to the fleet?

Well my old school hired everyone who made it to CFII.

 

,...'course eventually there weren't enough students to go around, so...?

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I've seen/heard this becoming a more common occurrence.

It's been common since the CFI was hatched...it become a problem with Silver State Helicopters and their guarantee of a job after school...now others have picked up on the idea and trying it again...ponzi scheme is all it is.

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  • 3 months later...

So this is really just a cry for help and advice.

 

I just came off of active duty and planned to use my GI Bill for flight school training. I was accepted to BRCC and Guidance Aviation and set to start flight school in January.

 

Yesterday I was informed that the VA will no longer be paying for Private Licenses at this school and that I was put on a Veterans waiting list for the Comerial, CFI, Instrument Rating, etc.. portion of school. Obviously, I would need to get my private license before I would be able to do the rest of the school and I would have to pay for that part of training out of pocket.

 

That's roughly $25,000 and don't forget I won't be receiving any GI Bill benefits during the training since the money is coming from my pocket.

 

I guess my question is how do y'all do it? How do you pay for the private license without drowning in debt afterwards. I've looked for scholarships, found only a few. I've looked at financial aid, and not even Pilot Finance Inc will give out $25k loan.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Have you looked at the Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in Bend Oregon? They offer an associates degree in applied science for aviation in fixed wing, helicopter, unmanned ariel systems training. You are also able to use your Post 9/11 GI Bill and the private is included in the coverage. They have a great program. They really prepare you for the commercial industry. Bend Oregon is a great place to fly.

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The only way you can get your private license paid for is though an institution of higher learning and private license is part of the actual degree program. Some of the four-year aviation programs that terminate with a bachelor’s degree in aviation include getting a private pilot’s license as part of their VA-approved program.....so, when it is part of a larger aviation training program, like one that would lead to being a commercial pilot, then it is a requirement of the program and covered.

This x 10. The VA revised the wording in the bill so that Private Pilot's licenses are no longer covered if the degree program contracts out for the Private Pilot training. If the Private Pilot training is part of the degree track and is not contracted out then it's still covered. Recommend you go through a different school that handles its Private Pilot training as part of the degree.

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