tsimmns927

I know I’ve always read don’t take out a loan for training, pay as you go, etc. my question is I basically have two options.
1. Pay around 50k to go from PPL to Commercial rated including all books, groundwork, instructor hours, etc. 189 hrs non complex time, 10 hrs of complex time, 390 hrs of instructor time and all 3 ground schools and books. I could finish this as fast as I could go and this flight school would be right down the road from me or
2. Use my GI BI, obtain all my ratings for basically free(although I’m at 90% post 9/1) so I’d be paying a small amount out of pocket for each rating and get it at Tarrant County College which would give me a 1250 R-ATP. They use US Aviation Academy in Denton TX which is about an hour and a half for me so for 2-3 days a week I’d be making that drive, then driving back to work my normal 8 hr a day job. Also, with the option I’d be getting an extra 1k a month or so from the GI bill for housing.

I know the 2nd option makes since, but I’d basically get one ratings semester taking me about 2.5 hrs to get to being a CFI and while free would the drive be worth it or would paying the other school 50k for everything then add on about 5k for a multiple add on makes sense and I could possibly go quicker than one rating every school semester.

TiredSoul

You could potentially use the GI Bill for something else?
Some will say the R-ATP is worth it as it gets you to the Regionals quicker.
That could be 5-6 months quicker.
Commercial ticket doesn’t really get you that many job opportunities.
Your training will likely be more in-depth and more structured if you go the R-ATP route.
If I recall correctly your Private is on your own dime, the rest is reimbursed.
See if you can do your Private at the local mom and pop shop before you commit.
You’ve earned that GI Bill, be a shame not to use it

tsimmns927

I could also use the Gi Bill at the 141 school to knock about 13k off the 50k cost. So it would knock it down to 38k or so giving me 250 hrs. I would say the instruction at this school would also be top notch as it’s all retired military pilots who also do training for NATO pilots as well. Just debating options.

Also, I’m pretty sure if I enroll at the community college the PPL would be covered as it’s part of the degree. The community college would also get me to CFI if I decide to go that route for free also. Just pondering ideas.

I do have a local woman who would instruct me for 170 an hr at all cost that could take me through all the ratings, but no gi bill use. I guess my main goal would be to get my ratings with little to no debt and then start building time as fast as possible, regardless of if it’s instructing, having to split time flying, being a safety pilot, patrol pilot or anything in between. Unfortunately I don’t have any pilots in my family so no mentors so to speak of. I just don’t want to be sitting here next year in the same spot wondering what to do with 0 hrs under my belt.

TiredSoul

A 141 school has pretty stringent record keeping requirements hence its a requirement for the GI-Bill to use a 141 school.
If you’re entirely self funded then yes I’d go the cheapest way.
However you get a significant portion reimbursed so I’d go that way.
There’s also a 2-year degree at the end of this?

ShrtSnorter

I paid 100% out of pocket for my ppl and used the gi bill to reimburse (partial) the rest of my ratings in 6 months. I still had left over funds to get my BS while finishing up up my ratings. If you’re ready, take the leap and hit the training as fast as possible and get it knocked out!

TiredSoul

You may want to consider not driving but staying overnight.
$1000/month is about 8-12 hotel nights.
I don’t know how you can wrap it around your work situation so this is only an example.
Fly during the weekends mostly twice a day and sometimes three times if you’re not to exhausted.
Average flight time 1.5 and let’s assume Private at 60 hrs that’s 20 weekends.
48 hrs means 16 weekends.
Private/Instrument/Commercial for a total of 52-60 weekends. Thats part time training at a good pace.
Doesn’t have to be a weekend obviously.
Organize your work so you can get two consecutive days off.
Tell your friends and family not to try and distract you.

tsimmns927

What type of GI bill did you use, post 9/11 or Montgomery GI BILL? And did you go to a college or stand alone part 141? My stand alone part 141 is saying the VA says IR and CPL are the same and will only pay about 13k towards each. Could be BS for them trying to get more money but who knows. I had a discovery set for tomorrow, but the CFI had to push it back two weeks so I feel like every day that passes I’m losing valuable time. I basically In a black hole for flight training. Pay out the a** for using GI bill where I live, drive 2 hours to use full GI bill, or use an independent cfi Who doesn’t take the GI bill and pay out of pocket, which I might have to do anyways for the PPL, but it’s not what I’m wanting to do for all ratings.