Skyraider

For anyone in the RJ bizz who has used VA benefits to get to where you're at.

Short and sweet:

1- Currently serving USN/AD
2- Want to use VA benefits for flight training. I understand how it works, I'm just looking for advice from anyone that's used the GI bill.
3- 45hr into PPL (the Navy has held flight training to a crawl over the past few years)
4- In a year, I will be transferring (hopefully to the JAX region) for three years to save money for training, because I hate interest and to use tuition assistance to knock out more school, on the Navy's dime.
5- 22 years of age


Ok, I say RJ guys, but that's not NECESSARILY where I want to rush to. Flying is flying, and aviation is all I know. To get paid to fly is all I've ever wanted. RJ guys just have that level of experience that I'm ultimately looking to have to be marketable and job hunt. Does anybody who may have gone down that road, have advice on using VA benefits to the fullest, either through an FBO or larger flight school? ERAU is very military friendly (3 campuses in the JAX area) and will likely be the school from which I will pull the BS degree in "professional aeronautics". I know all too well that flying must be the number one priority to get anything done in a timely fashion. I am also looking for information about Gaurd/Reserve flying opportunities that I may be able to weasel my way into down the road.

I don't know how to get any more specific than that. If there are grey areas or information I may have left out, please ask. Any help would be appreciated.

Skyraider

rickair7777

Be aware that new MGIB has serious limits on flight training (and other vocational training). Basically you can't use it to learn a trade, only to get an education. This means that for flight training your only option is an aviation university which offers a combined degree/flight training program. If you go that route the new MGIB is pretty generous, although there have been numerous problems getting the whole thing up and running.

If you are still eligible for the old GI Bill, that will pay about 60% of the cost of flight training at a part 141 flight school (some expenses are not covered).

HercFE

It certainly has been tough trying to nail down a solid answer about flight training under this new program. From what I've been told is that flight training under a degree program is covered and apparently the school that I'm going to is stuck in the Chapter 30 thinking because they tell me that only courses required for the degree can be reimbursed. Well when private, instrument, multi, commercial and pro pilot flight labs are listed as courses right in their catalog that tells me that they are covered. When I asked this it sounded like I was talking to a recording, because I just got the same answer over and over again. This was all from the VA rep at the school, I often wonder who she's really working for. Seems to me that the school would be all for this since it's money in the bank if they can get a Veteran with this program behind them. She told me that it's up to the aviation program. Also seems that the school certifying offical should be the one going out to the school's programs to get their fee schedule. Now I am coordinating with the school aviation director to try and fix this. I guess if I want this money, I'm gonna have to earn it in more ways than just giving 10 years to the Air Force.

rickair7777

There's a lot of confusion about the post 9/11 bill...even the VA can't get it right. If it were me, I'd probably stay on AD for another year until they sort it out...

CRJ1000

Best of luck on your training. I used my benifits under the CH 30 GI Bill and it worked, BUT there were a lot of problems getting the VA to pay for everything. Here are a few things I learned:
1. if possible after you get your PPL, go get your Multi-Engine PPL. Then, do as much of your triaining for your inst/comm in a twin a possible. This does add costs, but if you think about it the price of Multi Engine aircraft is always going up, so the more you fly them sooner the more money you will save in the long run. I was able to do my Part 141 flights in a twin and was paying out of pocket what most were paying for 172 time. Helped me get an airline job much sooner!
2. Not all 141 schools are the same. Some are not "VA" approved. ERAU is probably good to go, BUT you need to find out if you are going to be waiting for a time slot to fly an aircraft for a few hours a week. Find a local 141 school that is approved (talk to CURRENT students who are getting paid from the VA) and go there...fly like crazy in the aircraft that are approved. You can get it knocked out really quick. I am not sure but ALL ATP's may be 141 approved AND they do almost all fo their training in a twin (no, I did not go there...wish I did).
3. EVERY TIME you talk to the VA get the individuals name, write it down, take notes. Things get really meesed up when they realize they are going to be paying you $$$. Make sure the VA has a copy of your PPL and current Medical. They continually denied my requests for INST/COMM etc. becasue they said I did not have a medical...makes you wonder how I passed a check ride without one, but thats the game they play. Also they will just not pay you because of a "problem", but will not notify you of it...so you are waiting and waiting...then call them and find out there was a probelm and you need to start all over with the paperwork.
There was one point at which they were not going to pay me $12,000 they needed to. Every time I sent them ALL the paperwork they needed the would "loose" it, tell me to do it again. I finally went to St. Louis with a copy of all the paperwork, a copy of all my log book pages highlighted with all the tail numbers were highlighted with their VA approval letter attached. Met with an advisor, had them innital EVERY page and make a copy of them for my record...2 days later the $$$ was in my bank.
4. All written tests after PPL qualify for repayment. Pretty cool.
I am sure there is more...but it is late. If you have more questions let me know, and seriously think about the Multi training...I really think it will hlep you down the road.
Fly Safe

FOUO

Ohhhhh yeahhhhhh. Document your contact with them!

I dealt with an over payment issue with them (criminal justice degree related) and they acknowledged the fact that "sorry for the mistake in not seeing that you indicated on your benefit application that you are on Active Duty." "We process alot of application in a short span of time and sometimes we miss things."

Thats a big difference in monthly benefits for a full time student based on the duty status at time of the application. Had to do the appeal process which i'm still going through today!

I'm probably gonna use some cross country hours to fly to the Regional Office and walk all my documents in to an advisor myself (yes there will be some initialling going on) when I start my training here in the next few months.

Looks like my research will have me driving 45 mins from Newport News, Va down to Chesapeake Regional for my 141 training. Good ole Horizon Flight Center seems to be A nice fit for me.

Good luck to you and i second the "FLY SAFE"!