flyerr

All,

I'm a PSEL/PMEL working on advanced training under the GI Bill. I've done considerable research on GI Bill flight benefits, to include writing several letters to the VA (with completely unhelpful form-letter replies), reading through lots of forum posts, and talking to the VA representatives at several part 141 flight schools. I still haven't found the info I'm looking for. I found a thread at http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...tml#post786297 where timinfla2 asked many of the same questions a few years ago, but nobody answered them.

I'm sure some of you have already walked this path - please help!

I'm asking only about how to use 18 months of MGIB; Post-9/11 won't work as well for me. <<Why not? I have just over 18 months of Chapter 30 (the "old" Montgomery GI Bill) benefits remaining. I am NOT eligible for the additional 12 months of Post-9/11 once my remaining 18 months run out. I could convert all 18 months to the "new" Post-9/11 GI Bill, but I've done the math, and I would get about $33k of reimbursement under Ch 30, but only $15k if I use the new GI Bill.>>

1. Is there a monthly cap for reimbursement of benefits? The VA says I'll get about $1900/month for flight training. Does that mean I can only be reimbursed for $1900 during each calendar month? I intend to fly around 15-20h per month which might cost over $5k - the 60% reimbursement would be about $3k/month. Will VA only reimburse $1900 and leave me stuck paying $3100, if all those hours are during the same calendar month?

2. I've seen that some schools have different VA cost estimates for training (one school says IFR-Airplane will rate $10k of VA money, another says it's $14k). What happens if you exceed the VA-estimated cost of training (which I will likely do, since I'm doing my IFR in a twin)? Will they reimburse me up to $10k (or $14k) and leave me paying any excess cost?

3. Will the VA pay for time building? Will the GI Bill reimburse 60% of the hourly rate to get me 1500 hours for an ATP?

4. How can I get them to pay 60% for a tailwheel endorsement, spin training, floatplane, and other ancillary ratings/endorsements?

Thanks very much for your time and attention!

km1619

1. Don't know.
2. Don't know.
3. I think the answer is no.
4. I think the answer is no.

I would call Horizon Flight Center in Chesapeake, VA. They handle a junk load of people using the GI Bill and can probably answer these questions. I am currently using the Post 9/11 GI Bill to get my MEI with them and they have made the process painless.

(757) 421-9000

Jato

I've done a lot of flying there too, great place!

CramCleanClimb

I'm wondering if I can use my GI bill to pay for my IFR & commercial without having to wait a year between $10k for training. I want to do it in less than 6 mos.

blaquehawk99

I'm dealing with the same issue. The basic answer is no. You can however, arrange your schedule around the Aug academic new year to receive multiple awards within the same year. There is another alternative: pay for school on your own and have the old GI Bill reimburse you 60%.

Death2Daleks

I converted my GI bill to post-9/11. I'm not sure how you figured out you'd only get 15k on the new GI bill. If you apply to a two-year school (such as Central Oregon Community College and fly at Professional Air like I am), you can finish the program in 18 months. You will get every rating paid for as long as you are seeking a degree. I have built over 140 multi-engine hours using the VA's dime. You can get CFI, CFII, MEI on 18 months of a GI-bill if you do this the right way. We had one highly motivated student turned flight instructor do everything but his PPL in 9 months.

CramCleanClimb

The gi bill will only pay $10000 per academic year or the cost of training whichever is less. Obviously if I want to knock out my required ratings I need to spend a lot more than 10,000 per year. So I could do it and take 4 or 5 years waiting for that yearly cap or I can do it faster by going to ATP. Plus the cost of living expenses waiting for the 4 years to go through.

CaseTractor

"I have built over 140 multi-engine hours using the VA's dime. You can get CFI, CFII, MEI on 18 months of a GI-bill if you do this the right way."

How did you get multi-engine time on top of the multi rating and instructor multi rating, ie time build in the multi? Good on ya if you figured a way to crack that nut.

What school did you work that program out with? My school got audited by the VA and was I sent a letter with a healthy claim to pay back the difference. Nothing fancy, just a commercial and commercial multi so fortunately it was not huge difference to repay. I'd be nervous with that much expense wrapped up in multi time in case the school got audited.

AFPete

I realize that this post is a bit old and no one may see this, but my understanding is that you are not tied to the approximately $10,000 per year cap under the Post 9/11 if the flight training is part of a degree-granting program. Furthermore, that degree could be an associates, not necessarily a bachelors. There are a number of flight schools who have partnered with community colleges to offer programs that take advantage of this (for example, Central Oregon, as already mentioned). If I am wrong please correct me. But here is a quote straight from the VA website:

"If you are enrolled in a degree program that consists of flight training at a public institution of higher education you can be reimbursed up to the public school in-state cost of the training and receive a monthly housing allowance and books-and-supplies stipend."

kingsnake2

I believe this is correct and why US Aviation has partnered with Tarrant County College. Pretty sure it hinges on school accreditation.