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I am currently in guard and was in for 6 yrs prior service active duty. When I was initially building my packet, I didnt declare disability on my prior Class 1 (the one for the board) because my VA claim wasn't processed yet back then, it was still pending decision for the rating. Fast forward today, I already got selected, went through WOCS and about to move on to WOBC phase. My situation is that I have VA disability and that im wondering if I should declare that now when I go through another initial class 1 at Rucker (The one right before flight school). I just don't want to kick myself for opening up a can of worms when i shouldn't have. Will the flight surgeon see that I have disability? Should I declare that I have disability?

This thread is intended to put out the most up to date information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits as it pertains to flight training. A lot of big changes that will affect future student's decisions. The biggest one that I can see being the requirement to have your PPL prior to beginning a flight training program in conjunction with an Institution of Higher Learning. This was previously only a requirement for vocational flight training. In addition, the yearly amount for vocational flight training was reduced to $12,048.50 and certain verbiage was placed into the documentation that makes students pay out of pocket for training in anything other than the basic aircraft (read R22, 300C, etc.) So, if you exceed the weight requirements of the R22 the student will have to pay the difference out of pocket to train in the R44. Although because it states "aircraft utilized by other students" I could see schools dumping the R22s in favor of more expensive aircraft to try to exploit this loophole. Also doesn't clarify if that's other students at that school, statewide or nationwide. I've attached a PDF that highlights the changes. Flight_Webinar_12-14-2015.pdf

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.

Seacoast Helicopters in Portsmouth, NH is the newest fully VA Approved, Part 141 Flight School in the country. If you want to train on brand new Robinson R22, R44 and R66 helicopters with the best Flight Instructors in the USA, this is the place to be. We are partnered with Great Bay Community College and offer an Associate Degree in Aviation Technology which gets you not only the degree, but your CFII/Helicopter in 2 years. The scenery is magnificent, the off-time lifestyle is amazing, awesome food and nightlife and an 11,321 foot runway on a towered airport that is manned 24/7. We are now accepting students at all levels, accept Post 9/11 and Montgomery GI Bill veterans as well as private pay students. Call us for more information at 603.373.8743, email at info@seacoasthelos.com or Google Us.

Anyone know a helicopter flying school near Chicago/in the Midwest that's associated with a college offering VA benefits?

Ok guys, Here's my situation. Obviously I'm new here so here's my background. I'm 26 years old, a prior Marine and a homebred MV-22 Osprey guy. I've been an Airframe Mechanic on this AC since '05 and have work for Boeing and Dyncorp for this platform. I'm about tired of maintenance and ready to start flying! I intend to use my GI Bill to attend the Community College of Baltimore County and do the ground school through them so I can use my GI Bill to its fullest. I have the option of going to Part 141 or 61 as long as I go through the school. Here is where I need help: I have narrowed it down to American Helicopters in Manassas, VA who have R22's, R44's and one Bell 206B III. On the other side I have Bussmann Aviation a.k.a. Heloflights apparently flying out of the same airport with an MD-500. Now it's my understanding that I can go up to Commercial and I may be able to weasel my way into CFI but lets assume the former. If I could only go up to Commericial for "Free" which option would be the better choice? I would assume going with the MD since, in my opinion, it would be free Turbine hours but I guess not much PIC. Well that's all I can think of folks, I'm coming off shift and ready to crash out. Thank you all for your help and support! - Corey