New GI Bill and Flight Training

Hey, Capt...I fly with another Acquisitions dude...A Capt. we got from LA AFB, space acquisitions. He's an MC-130P Pilot now, callsign "Sputnik", due to the space weenie background. ;-) He's a good stick, so we forgave his past (sort of).

I've been hitting up Sierra already. I used to be Army Guard out of Fresno, and drove past Castle on my way to the Fresno base from my home in the Bay Area. Sierra used to run the Korean Air program up here at my home field of Livermore (KLVK), but they folded up shop.

Sierra hasn't gotten back to me. Still waiting to hear from someone. The new Post 9/11 GI Bill is becoming a problem for many schools that previously took it, so not too many of them have decent answers to my specific questions. The BAH isn't much of a player in the Central Valley...better to max out the flying in minimum time than to drag it out to get the BAH in an area that pays crappy.

I wish there was one in my area, as our BAH here is well into the 2K range. I fly out of Moffett Field, and I am a full timer. If ANYBODY hears of a school here in the Bay that has promise to these ends, PLEASE remember to drop me a line and let me know. I'll compensate you with gratuitous amounts of beer and/or scotch. ;-)
 
I've read most of this thread and many others and it looks like I'm stuck. A little background: Active Duty in San Diego, recently borrowed money to complete Private pilot, looking at using either Montgomery or 9/11 for Instrument, Commercial ratings. Montgomery won't even come close to covering it and 9/11 will only reimburse. Pretty much tapped out on funds and don't think I'll find any school that will let me "pay on Tuesday for an instrument rating today".
Planning on retiring next year. It's really looking like my only option is wait until I retire and try to work full-time, take enough community college courses that I could care less about, and use the housing stipend to fund flight training. The word benefit seems to be synonymous with curse in regards to flight training.
 
I've read most of this thread and many others and it looks like I'm stuck. A little background: Active Duty in San Diego, recently borrowed money to complete Private pilot, looking at using either Montgomery or 9/11 for Instrument, Commercial ratings. Montgomery won't even come close to covering it and 9/11 will only reimburse. Pretty much tapped out on funds and don't think I'll find any school that will let me "pay on Tuesday for an instrument rating today".
Planning on retiring next year. It's really looking like my only option is wait until I retire and try to work full-time, take enough community college courses that I could care less about, and use the housing stipend to fund flight training. The word benefit seems to be synonymous with curse in regards to flight training.

If you go to a IHL for a "flight degree"...then you pay nothing out of pocket. Best bet is some sort of community college (like Central Oregon CC) that pays ALL fees and tuition and get the tickets you are looking for. The only time you have to pay "up front", is when you do the 10K a year which is a reimbursement.
 
Just passed my Instrument checkride at COCC in the Cirrus SR-20. I am very happy, and honestly a bit relieved as the rating is a lot of work! Looking forward to starting the Commercial/Multi training.
 
If you go to a IHL for a "flight degree"...then you pay nothing out of pocket. Best bet is some sort of community college (like Central Oregon CC) that pays ALL fees and tuition and get the tickets you are looking for. The only time you have to pay "up front", is when you do the 10K a year which is a reimbursement.

Can't find any options in Southern Ca.
 
Just passed my Instrument checkride at COCC in the Cirrus SR-20. I am very happy, and honestly a bit relieved as the rating is a lot of work! Looking forward to starting the Commercial/Multi training.

I loved flying the Cirrus. Awesome aircraft...mx queen though.
 
Thanks yall. First ride in the twin tomorrow, looking forward to NOT wearing foggles for a while at least. In my one semester into this, I can really only say good things about the program here at COCC. I encourage anyone out there looking for a way to use the GI Bill for flight training to check it out or PM me with any questions. The dual helicopter/airplane thing they have here is a good deal.
 
The only one I've come across (so far) in SoCal was this: http://www.orangecoastcollege.edu/academics/divisions/technology/aviation_pilot_training/

I think there is a helicopter only school down there as well.... don't remember for sure though.

I looked hard into the OCC program. Be advised, if you have any flight experience, you are going to have to re-take your Private Pilot stuff. The guy at OCC (Richard Young...a.k.a. "Smokey" :rolleyes: ) is not willing to accept your private pilot cert in lieu of their private pilot classes. So, you're going to waste at least a semester of your benefits re-learning what you already know, if you already have your private pilot.

Also, FWIW, I got a real bad vibe from Richard. It seemed like he was very unprofessional with me in multiple e-mails. I called him on it, though... Maybe someone at the school will give him a little "Actright". I mean, each one of us comes with a blank check, so he should be a little bit nicer to us...
 
The flight school I work for is currently set up to accept the new GI bill; and they, the community college we use gives credit for already earned licenses. The Community college has both Rotor and Fixed wing flight training opportunities. Though the school I work for only does the fixed wing side. Were in Prescott, AZ just across the field from Embry-Riddle.

http://www.yc.edu/
 
Sorry to hear about your experience flush...it's amazing that you're not treated like royalty considering the $$$ you represent..
 
..the $$ that the entire LA area represents. I know a handful of vets that would do it now that there is one that close. But with first hand info like above, I'm going to hold off on the referrals. That stuff is basic.
 
I looked hard into the OCC program. Be advised, if you have any flight experience, you are going to have to re-take your Private Pilot stuff. The guy at OCC (Richard Young...a.k.a. "Smokey" :rolleyes: ) is not willing to accept your private pilot cert in lieu of their private pilot classes. So, you're going to waste at least a semester of your benefits re-learning what you already know, if you already have your private pilot.

Also, FWIW, I got a real bad vibe from Richard. It seemed like he was very unprofessional with me in multiple e-mails. I called him on it, though... Maybe someone at the school will give him a little "Actright". I mean, each one of us comes with a blank check, so he should be a little bit nicer to us...

That seems very shady. If it were me and I didn't have a more convenient choice, I might call the VA and ask them if the school can actually make you do that. They may agree that paying for a rating you already have is a waste. It's a shame, although not that uncommon, for colleges to make a veteran feel like they are going out of their way to accommodate them and their VA benefits (read paperwork). At least that's what I've run across a couple time here in CA.

Another shameless plug for the school I'm attending. My multi-engine checkride is scheduled Jan 20th woot! http://aviation.cocc.edu/
 
Sorry to hear about your experience flush...it's amazing that you're not treated like royalty considering the $$$ you represent..

Meh, it's okay... I'll take my "blank check" to another school, if Orange Coast College doesn't want the money.

I feel bad for the people at Sunrise Aviation, though. They were very cool to me and answered any questions I asked. I hope I get to fly with them someday...
 
I don't know how interested you are in moving up the coast to Oregon at all. I am getting out of the Navy in about 54 days (gotta love the countdown....:) ) and am going to Portland Community College / Hillsboro Aviation. They have a great program there, I have met a couple of vets who are already working as flight instructors. Great training in real IFR wx. I would love to live in southern california, as would my wife who has family in Mexico. Sometime relocation sucks ( I am in Virginia at the moment), however in this industry it seems that relocation is quite regular for most pilots. Just my two cents, as little help as it may be.
 
BTW PCC is an IHL that has a contract with Hillsboro Aviation. Some vets are getting both rotary and fixed wing 100% covered!!!!
 
So with this discussion, I know a lot of you have done research across this county in regards to the post 9/11 GIB and schools. So, I am curious..any one familiar with and IHLs in Georgia that do this? I thought there was one in the western part of the state, but I would prefer one closer to the metro Atlanta area. Thanks!
 
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