G.I. Bill and Flight Training

[Tnkr Pilot]

All,

I just wanted to pass along this link that shows you can get reimbursed for the knowledge test and practical flight test for an ATP and other quals if you qualified for the GI Bill.

$100 for Written
$500 for Practical

http://www.gibill.va.gov/Education/LCweb/viewlc.asp

To apply for test reimbursement, send us a signed and dated request with the following information:
�� Your Full Name
�� Your Mailing Address
�� Your Home Phone Number (with area code)
�� Your Social Security Number
�� Your VA File Number (if different from your Social Security Number)
�� Have you applied for VA benefits before? If no, please complete an application for education benefits and send with this request for reimbursement.
�� Name of Test
�� Date Test Taken
�� Cost of Test (NOTE: We can’t reimburse you for registration fees, preparation guides, processing fees, etc.)
�� A copy of your test results or a copy of your license or certification
�� Name & Address of Organization Issuing License
�� Statement: “I hereby authorize the release of my test information to the Department of Veterans Affairs”
�� Your Signature and Date Signed

Who Can I Contact if I Have Questions?
If you have questions about licensing and certification reimbursement, or applying for benefits, you can
• Go to our Internet site: www.GIBILL.va.gov, and click on “Ask a Question and Find Answers”
• Call us at 1-888-GIBILL-1
(1-888-442-4551), or for the hearing-impaired call 1-800-829-4833.

 

[Flyarcticcat]

I just got a check for 4400 for my ATP/737 type rating. That was money well spent.

 

[TheSulaco]

I just got a check for 4400 for my ATP/737 type rating. That was money well spent.

Your GI Bill Covered some of it?

 

[Bobo135R]

Me too..

Got $4,400 bucks a couple of years ago for my 737 type rating at Higher Power. I had never signed up for the GI Bill on Active Duty and my Guard unit only asked for 6 more years for signing up...I planned on doing another 7 years anyway to get my retirement ......free money! I highly recommend it.

 

[TheSulaco]

Only 990 more turbine PIC hours until it will be 737 type time and I get to use my GI bill, considering I only got to use it for 3 months of college before I graduated.

 

[USMCFDX]

Anyone used the GI bill to get a CFI?

 

[Bravo F/O]

I used the GI Bill on Inst/Comm/Initial CFI...Plus college. Good deal just remember they will get back what they invested in you...one way or another. I for one am proud of my service and the people I served with.

 

[USMCAirWinger]

Not worth it for the CFI because of the part 141 syllabus. It will be cheaper to just do it part 61.

 

[Medivacer]

I'm venturing into the GI bill territory.

Is it worth it to go nuts on CFI, CFII and MEI, or go the part 61 route?

It's my understand I pay up front and get back %60 of the bill?

 

[SB Diver]

You can still be eligible for the GI Bill if you didn't sign up for it originally. I was able to fill out some VA paperwork, write a letter to the board and 8 months later was accepted into the program at the end of my military career. It payed 60% of my ATP and 737 type rating. That was a great benefit!

 

[viper548]

You can start the CFI under part 141 and when you feel ready for the checkride withdraw from the program and take the checkride under part 61. I did that for all of my ratings

 

[Oh-ryan]

Some good gouge over on the APTAP board- If you are already a military IP don't be in such a rush to go out and pay for that CFI. If you can hold out until Sept of this year the FAA might make it worth your wait. They are planning on allowing military IPs to take a competency exam and then issue them the CFI ticket (like they currently do with CMEI or SE Land tickets). Here is a draft of the new rule (61.73):


Sec. 61.73 Military pilots or former military pilots: Special rules.

(g) Flight instructor certificate and ratings. A person who is a U.S. military instructor pilot may apply for and be issued a flight instructor certificate with the appropriate ratings if that person:
(1) Holds a commercial or airline transport pilot certificate with the appropriate aircraft category and class rating, if a class rating is appropriate, for the flight instructor rating sought;
(2) Holds an instrument rating on the pilot certificate that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought; and
(3) Presents the following evidentiary documents:
(i) A knowledge test report that shows the person passed a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed under Sec. 61.185(a) that are appropriate to the flight instructor rating;
(ii) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person is qualified as a military instructor pilot for the flight instructor rating;
(iii) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person is a military instructor pilot for the flight instructor rating;
(iv) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person graduated from a U.S. Armed Forces' instructor pilot training school and received an aircraft rating qualification as a military instructor pilot that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating; and
(v) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person passed an instructor pilot proficiency check in an aircraft as a military instructor pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating.
(h) Evidentiary documents for qualifying for a pilot certificate and rating. The following documents are required in order for a person to be able to apply for a pilot certificate and rating:
(1) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person is or was a military pilot.
(2) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person graduated from a U.S. Armed Forces undergraduate pilot training school and received a rating qualification as a military pilot.
(3) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the pilot passed a pilot proficiency check and instrument proficiency check in an aircraft as a military pilot.
(4) If a person is a military pilot of an Armed Force from a foreign contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and is applying for a pilot certificate and rating, that person must present the following:
(i) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person is a military pilot in an Armed Force of the United States;
(ii) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows the person is assigned as a military pilot with an Armed Force of the United States for purposes other than receiving flight training;
(iii) An official record that shows the person graduated from a military undergraduate pilot training school from an Armed Force from a foreign contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation or from an Armed Force of the United States, and received a qualification as a military pilot; and
(iv) An official U.S. Armed Forces record that shows that the person passed a pilot proficiency check and instrument proficiency check in an aircraft as a military pilot in an Armed Force of the United States.

 

[Herkdrv]

For the zoomies and rotc scholarship dudes you can still use WIA benefits after you leave the service and are not working yet. WIA is run by each individual states so your mileage may vary but its worth a shot. I know K&S and HP deal with WIA issues so if you have any questions ask them.

 

[MalteseX]

Anyone used the GI bill to get a CFI?

Yes. Has to be at a VA approved school. I think has to be Part 141 but not sure. Anyway, the VA has a list that they approve. Took nearly 1 year before they "got around" to approving it. I had to call the VA IG and make a complaint. That was just for approval---after that it went pretty smooth.

 

[dingo222]

anyone have luck using at higher power or somewhere for a type rating? I couldn't find them on the list of approved schools.

 

[Bjammin]

I used Aeroservice in MIA for my 737 type rating and the VA gave me 60%, no problem. Just make sure your 1st class medical is up to date.