Ok, so I am currently using the post 9/11 MGIB at Aerosim/San Jacinto college, and it is covering flight and school fees, but I am about to run out of the post 9/11 MGIB. I am frusterated with Aerosim and availibility issues, so I am wondering what texas schools accept the Texas Hazelwood act. I have found none, accept Aerosim/San Jacinto. Has anyone else used the Hazelwood act for flight training? I know it only covers 60%, but thats better than nothing. Any advice is more than appreciated!
Hazelwood act in texas
- Thread starter westleyb
- Start date
LateStarter
Well-Known Member
I've researched just about every school in Texas for using Hazelwood benefits for flight training and Sa Jac seems to be the only one. I'm planning on starting there in August. What are some of the problems you have encountered? How is the quality of instruction? Life got in the way and my G.I. Bill benefits expired so all I have is Hazelwood. Any info would be appreciated.
Latestarter, my main problem is that some of the pilots are young and cocky, and I am a 30 year old, military veteran, they disrespect you, and this hasn't just happened to me, I've talked to others who have had the same issue. They forget we are paying there salaries, and I have had to yell back on a few occasions. Emails sent to management are either unreturned, or deleted. Another issue is scheduling, they were closed on saturdays and sundays, we have fought for two semesters to fix this, and they seem to just now be budging. I have been requesting to have another flight school selection to give them rate competition. I know a student that had the VA post 9/11 bill put $10,000 in his account and he didn't have enough money to finish his private license, AND he passed every lessen the first try. I also know students who have failed a few lessons already before lesson 10, just to give you an idea. Its paid for hours right now, free for me except for the drive, thats what I have to tell myself. There are some quality instructors, but its luck of the draw. I would love to tell you more with names, but some of these people have to give me checkrides. I could tell you more, but it just depresses me. We are fighting to change things, and as far as I know, its just the houston location, I haven't been to sanford.
LateStarter
Well-Known Member
Wow sounds like a few places I have worked. I'm planning on coming down next Tuesday and get all my paperwork started and checking out aerosim. Have you checked into being able to transfer to the Sanford location and finish the flying part and still be able to use Hazelwood or is that even an option? I'm sending you a private message with additional info.
Crap this will be the third time I try to post a reply... anyway, I've filled out the application to be an approved flight school for anyone wanting to use the Hazlewood Act, however it says it isn't approved for training provided by a Pt.61 school which is what I am. I've been trying to find a way around this, and from what I understand the only way I can provide training to anyone using the Hazlewood Act is through the nearby community college. Currently I've got 4 vets itching to start training out here but I feel like there is nothing I can do for them at the moment. The only other way I've heard I can provide training is through a Pt.142 school that trains Pt.61 which makes zero sense to me. But if ya'll know how this works, or anyone that might have answers please send them my way, have them get it contact with me at Mike@mikesflyingservice.com because I feel like I've hit a brick wall and I'd love nothing more than to become an approved school through the Hazlewood Act. Let me know what ya'll know.
-Thanks
Mike
-Thanks
Mike
LateStarter
Well-Known Member
Mike, there has got to be a way to get that done. I would be interested. Not to thrilled about the Houston area but gotta go with where they take Hazelwood. What type equip you train with. I'm looking to get IR- MEII.
Cessna 172N, Cherokee 140, and an Apache 150 for now... and growing. With any luck we can figure this out sooner than later. We can keep in touch through www.mikesflyingservice.com or my e-mail Mike@mikesflyingservice.com I'll try to keep you guys posted. Whether it's through a community college or out and out approval from the state I'm gonna get this done.
LateStarter
Well-Known Member
Good deal Mike. Don't know if the VA can offer any type of assistance or not but might be worth a try. They may know what tree you need to bark up so to speak. I can be reached at johnboybpd@yahoo.com
texas_pilot
Well-Known Member
The hazelwood isn't funded, so State of Texas schools aren't paid for the training like w/GI benefits, I heard.
granlistillo
Well-Known Member
OK they are not "pilots" they are flight instructors. Not only are they the PIC, but they are putting their tickets and their lively-hoods in your hands. You are an unproven quantity, not them. Sounds to me that you may need to change your perspective, and think of them as drill sergeants/drill instructor or equivalent with one big exception- you can fire them and get one that works better for you. This should not be done with angry emails or messages to "management". It should be done with class, dignity and mostly maturity. You've had to "yell back". What the hay?, over... BTW there are a few young and cocky instructors out there, but you need to do you part to keep the maturity level high.
Well if it was in the air over something reasonable, with lives at stake that is one thing, but you have no reference to the situation, and therefore could not have an unbiased opinion. If I would put you in the scenario, you more than likely would have done the same thing. The issues with management are more the scheduling, and co-operation. If I request you be open on saturdays, because 40 students need it due to their schedule, and you don't respond, in fact, you completely ignore the request, what type of manager are you? Furthermore, when people rip me off, I get upset. I'll give you an example of the crime-If my flight gets cancelled, due to "weather", but yet, I don't sign anything, SUPRISE- I'm still charged a "no show" fee, even though I was there. Yeah, I'm going to yell when you try to tell me that "its company policy" when in fact, I was there, and the instructor cancelled due to weather, not me. So, I do keep the maturity level high, and having been in the U.S. Infantry, I understand when it is time to have maturity, and I also understand when someone needs to be slapped across the back of the head because they put someones life in danger. But at least now I know people actually read these things, so I thank you, Granlistillo, for your comment. And I agree, as no angry emails went to management, but professional emails did get sent, along with confrontation, and us veterans are still trying to improve the quality of training at the area. In fact, if not for us pushing to improve training and treatment of students, I believe that they would lose more business than they already have. I believe in respecting people until they give you a reason to disrespect. Just my opinion, and what I do. So I believe my maturity level is high, and who can really blame me for trying to improve my quality of training? In fact, who deserves to get disrespected and ripped off of thier hard earned money or benefits? So, thank you for letting me clear myself up, and thank you for taking the time to read a post from an entry level student.
granlistillo
Well-Known Member
Yeah, you're right about your expectations about management. If you are using GI Bill, you may have that recourse, and I would meet them face to face about that no show stuff, and do what it takes to square it away.
Based on your comments it seems that you have a problem with younger cocky CFIs, and my input reflects that. It was meant in the best way and no way a moral indictment. You need to get over that one way or the other , but if you want succeed in this biz you will have to put up with some younger cockier dudes that haven't served in the infantry.
Based on your comments it seems that you have a problem with younger cocky CFIs, and my input reflects that. It was meant in the best way and no way a moral indictment. You need to get over that one way or the other , but if you want succeed in this biz you will have to put up with some younger cockier dudes that haven't served in the infantry.
Well, I've been reading jet careers for about ten years, and I have been thinking a lot about "the biz" and the issues of cocky young pilots. I believe I may just stay a flight instructor. I dont know if want to ever right seat someone who is cocky, because from my experience, they would have an "invincible" personality and a higher possibility to get people killed. I know there are excellent young pilots, I've met some. I am also considering going back in the military to be a pilot. Who knows-but thanks again granlistillo, and another jc'er who reads this and offers new pilots your thoughts, perspective and advice, we need it, even if we don't immediately realize it.
LateStarter
Well-Known Member
No problem Mike. I hope you can make it work out. I'll check around here with some people I know and get back with you.
Westleyb first of all...THANK YOU for your service to this country!
I went to San Jac back in 2000 and the flight school was under a different name, but had the same exact problems your describing. I left after 1 semester for a much cheaper option. Sad that nothing seems to have changed down there.
As an instructor, I worked with a veteran up in Dallas but I don't remember how he paid. I want to say he used some kind of GI deal though. I did his instrument rating and it had to be under PT 141. Have you looked into Central Texas College in Killeen or TSTC in Waco?
Last, I instructed at a 141 flight school in Addison. In my time there I worked with some instructors that came from those type of programs. I got the feeling that management put alot of pressure on them for various things. Didn't seem like it was a very relaxed work environment. Maybe that contributes to the attitude you get from some of them. I mean if the customers are having this much trouble with management I bet the employees are getting it too.
Good Luck...I hope you can get this worked out and get your training done!
I went to San Jac back in 2000 and the flight school was under a different name, but had the same exact problems your describing. I left after 1 semester for a much cheaper option. Sad that nothing seems to have changed down there.
As an instructor, I worked with a veteran up in Dallas but I don't remember how he paid. I want to say he used some kind of GI deal though. I did his instrument rating and it had to be under PT 141. Have you looked into Central Texas College in Killeen or TSTC in Waco?
Last, I instructed at a 141 flight school in Addison. In my time there I worked with some instructors that came from those type of programs. I got the feeling that management put alot of pressure on them for various things. Didn't seem like it was a very relaxed work environment. Maybe that contributes to the attitude you get from some of them. I mean if the customers are having this much trouble with management I bet the employees are getting it too.
Good Luck...I hope you can get this worked out and get your training done!
granlistillo
Well-Known Member
I probably came across totally the opposite of what I intended to. I guess I should have said, "you have to deal with nitwits at times in the other seat, just do your best not to join them."
I think with your experience and discipline you will do well in this industry. You are also right about cocky guys bending metal, I have seen it first hand and even had a marine classmate killed by one. I was a back seater in the Navy and had to get my ratings in a civilian environment, and I had to deal with guys that didn't know crap, but thought they did, and I certainly bit my tongue a lot. The key to success is to be very open minded and learn what you can and know who to stay away from. At the end of the day, you are the customer, but after the end of the flight.
OK, so let me remind you that because you are a military vet, you know that the system is what the system is, and it takes time for it to change. I've had conversations with AEROSIM as well about why, for many, the best time to fly is the weekend, but you can't unless you jump through hoops to have someone available to fly. DUH? For them, it's strictly a business decision that they "perceive" is for them more cost effective. You have to convince them otherwise. Many of those young/cocky CFI's would love to fly weekends as well, but aren't mature/incisive enough to approach management with a solid business plan that would allow flights on weekends.
CFI's have personalities. Hello? I remember two CFI's (if they are still there) who were vets who could empathize with you. . .so, if you learning style is compatible with them, fly with them. If NONE of those individuals suit your learning style, you're right. . .you should leave.
Lastly, student or not, no CFI is going to disrespect me. Remember what you said? It's YOUR money! You as a vet need to TEACH these kids the interpersonal skills missing from them but badly needed in order for them to be effective instructors. Those skills aren't directly related to flying, remember? It's also about effective communication. That's what 'win-win' is all about. Those skills are taught in some CFI class. Those are "life's experiences" which YOU have. Train them. . .
It's funny. . .I spend quite a lot of time at Ellington. I also infrequently visit AEROSIM. Like any other organization with the pyramid mentality, there are some duds/mediocre/stellar instructors. A "friend" of mine and I were looking at one of the Cirrus planes on the line. Listen to me when I say this. . .it had been awhile since he (my friend) had seen glass cockpit in a general aviation aircraft. The CFI talked and talked and talked in what we know was a very condescending/patronizing manner. . .as if my friend and I were idiots. After all, this CFI flies Cirrus and Seminoles for a living! Glass cockpits in a general aviation airplane. Wow.
The "young man" later told me to get in touch with my friend and he could provide him with a "discovery flight." I told the CFI I'd pass the information on to my friend. I might take him up on his offer.
Only later did I tell him my friend's routine flights back and forth to Florida (Cape Canaveral?) was done in T-38s (he's PIC). . .that he was a Gulf War vet having flown F/A-18s in combat, was a graduate of the test pilot school and was a three time shuttle mission flier.
. . .but my friend was still impressed with glass cockpits in a Cirrus.