erictgill

Here is the deal...
Im getting out of the Army in six months, I have the whole package post 9/11 or montgomery, whichever I perfer. I think i get a better deal from the Post 9/11 (chapter 33) when it comes to flight training. Tuition is covered as well as flight cost/fees, depending on the University or College I attend. Montgomery GI bill will cover 60 percent of academy or FBO training. I am a Texas resident so I also get the hazlewood act which covers tuition even after the GI bill is used up.

The real question is what do you do in a situation like this?
The goal is career pilot...

The hard part is how do I go about getting there.

I could do my training through a university or college and get a degree in the aviation field and do this all loan free debt free.

Or I could use my montgomery GI bill at a FBO or academy take a small loan out for the 40 percent the GI bill doesnt cover and use the hazlewood act to get a degree in something other than Aviation. While I am doing the school I can have a side job as a CFI.

Thanks all

L'il J.Seinfeld

Don't do it!! Go to nursing school, get into a business program, or anything else. Take a hard look at the pay rates of the regionals. If you suffer through that lifestyle you would still only have a remote shot at getting hired at a "career" airline. Have you thought about applying to the Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard?

Airborne1

I wasted my entire GI bill on flight training years ago. I am on furlough and haven't gotten any real Return of Investment with the pilot gig. Some have been more lucky. If I could do it all over again I would get into the medical field and then fly on the side for fun. Do some long term research and don't fall for the whole pilot shortage lie. It has been a marketing tool to get people to enroll in flight training for many decades now. Back in 1995 I was told there would be a huge shortage by the millennium, still hasn't happened. There just isn't a demand for pilots. Regionals will hire again but the pay and QOL is getting worse. Labor supply and demand will continue to drive all pilot wages down. JMHO.

HoursHore

I would not get a degree in "Aviation"
Get a degree in something Concrete, like engineering, Computers, a hard science, IT, accounting, etc. Something with real knowledge attached to it.

nfnsquared

Right now, I'd say that it's a crap shoot to blow your entire GI Bill benefits on flight training. You never know, the economy may eventually turn around enough for you to get hired by a major/fractional/corporate and allow you enough seniority time to be furlough proofed when/if the industry craps again.

I'm with a few others here: I'd suggest you invest the funds to obtain a higher degree in another area that interests you and is economically more likely to provide steady employment for the rest of your life. Use your GI Bill benefits to make big bucks in a sure thing and use the $$$ to enjoy flying on the side!!

I'm a Texas resident as well and was unaware of the Hazlewood benefits. Thanks for cluing me in. Good luck to you!

Grumble

You may want to double check your facts, when I was comparing the two I specfically remember the post 911 bill not covering flight training. Now if it's part of a 4 year degree curriculum, that may be another story.

erictgill

Gents thanks for the advice
As far as the Air National guard or any other military service is just not for me. I did my tour in Iraq I did my training and the fact of the matter is that the military is very unpredictable. Its not what is use to be, and it is always changing. There are just so many things that are needed and so many disqualifiers to fly for the military. I will look into the texas air national guard
There is no doubt in my mind that flying is my career I love aviation and everything that comes with it. To be honest theres really nothing else that interest me than aviation. I will say you guys do have a point about getting a degree in a different field to ensure I have a job. I did some investing in Iraq with some stock and I had a interest in it. Maybe a degree in Financing would help.

Grumble

Wait, what?

WhistlePig

I believe it has to be part of an accredited flight program or degree for Ch 33 to apply. Ch. 30 does not have that restriction, but 33 is a better value in most circumstances.

As far as getting a concrete undergrad degree, maybe. But if you don't enjoy the major you will have a hard time succeeding. Undergrad degrees are just a prereq these days anyway for almost any job. Nobody cares what it was. MBA's and JD's carry much more weight in the non-aviation world. Your education plan should include one of those as well so you can fall back on another career if need be.

My Aviation Management degree is a business degree with all of the practical application and examples aviation related. It did not buy me anything compared to a straight management degree, but it held my interest a little better.

A note on Ch 33, I'm using to get a JD and they have mostly worked the kinks out of the system. However, trust but verify certainly applies to ensure your school is paid on time, and the correct amount.
Good Luck!

FDXLAG

Well Dan Rather and the rest of his buddies told us the Texas Air Guard wasn't real military service. Any moron can fly fighters right. Maybe that is what he is thinking.