Originally Posted by rickair7777

I'm a regional pilot who used the GI Bill for part of my training, and also worked at a flight school where I processed MGIB paperwork for the students.

Some comments on the GI Bill:

You need to get your PPL on your own nickel.

Most flight training is done under the regulations of FAR part 91 (actually 14 CFR 91), which allows a lot of flexibility.

The VA will pay 60% of most, but not all training costs for post-PPL.

In order to protect veterans, the VA requires that in order to use the GI Bill you must attend a part 141 school. There are a number of issues here:

1) Part 141 is more regimented than 91, and must use a set curriculum. This is good in some ways, but also reduces your flexibility. If you are a self-starter and can study well on your own, 141 will probably force you to attend more formal training than you would have needed otherwise.

2) Part 141 allows you to take your "checkride" from an in-house examiner. Also you cannot fail a 141 checkride, they are either complete or incomplete, so there is no record of failing an FAA checkride

3) Part 141 allows you to complete ratings with less flight hours than part 61, but many people actually need more than the minimum hours anyway.

4) Most schools charge more for 141, so even if you can do it in fewer hours than 91, you still pay. Some unscrupulous schools charge WAY more for 141, since few people except VA students use it...basically you pay the same out-of-pocket as you would have without the MGIB, and the school keeps your VA money! When talking to schools, try to avoid letting them know you are military until you get quotes on everything.

Bottom, line MGIB is a great deal for college, but not so much for flight training. Normally I would say save the MGIB for your college degree, but at your age you may be planning on staying at the regionals in which case the degree is not mandatory (but helpful at the better regionals).

If you want to work for a major airline, you WILL need a degree, regardless of what anyone may tell you. If that is your goal try your d*mndest to get all of your ratings (including CFI/CFII/MEI) and either start instructing before you retire, or be ready to start instructing the day after you retire. Age 65 may help you in this regard.