VA Disability Benefits, so what flight school?

AFClydeman

AFClydeman

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I am working on my VA Disability and once I get them I plan on going to a school or academy. Since the VA will be paying for 100% of the bill the price of the school really isn't an issue. I've been researching through forums and various websites for the last two weeks and am kind of at a complete loss as to which school to choose. The latest seems to be AirSafety Flight Academy in AZ. I was looking at ATP, I've heard about all the good and bad, but it's not part 141 which the VA requires. And input, especially from actual students, would be much appreciated. Also if there are any Disabled Vets out there who have used Vocational Rehabilitation let me know.
 
AFClydeman said:
Hi all,

I am working on my VA Disability and once I get them I plan on going to a school or academy. Since the VA will be paying for 100% of the bill the price of the school really isn't an issue. I've been researching through forums and various websites for the last two weeks and am kind of at a complete loss as to which school to choose. The latest seems to be AirSafety Flight Academy in AZ. I was looking at ATP, I've heard about all the good and bad, but it's not part 141 which the VA requires. And input, especially from actual students, would be much appreciated. Also if there are any Disabled Vets out there who have used Vocational Rehabilitation let me know.
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If you don't already have your Private ticket, you will probably have to get it first. Check with your VA rep, in most cases the VA will not pay for the PPL:bandit:

Bill
 
I'm already working on my PPL. I'll have it done in about two months or so. I'm just waiting on the FAA for my Class II medical. It was deferred because of my Sleep Apnea. But it isn't going to be a problem because it is only minor(doesn't require a CPAP) and will probably only require a docs visit to get it cleared up, if they even require that. I'm calling them tomorrow to see what the status is. But anyone have any suggestions on quality schools(Part 141 only)?
 
You'll get as many opinions on schools here as there are schools (Actually more... a lot more:D)

Narrow down you questions a bit. Where do you want to go to school, Florida, Texas, Arizona? Whats your flying career Goal?

There are a lot of good schools out there, The school in the last post is a good one up in Denton Texas (just north of Dallas) there are several more in the Dallas area. A few hundred in Florida, some good some bad.

Check out as many schools as you can personally, ask a lot of questions, its your money, make sure you spend if wisely!!

Bill
 
Check out Ari-Ben Aviator in Ft. Pierce Fl, they are a VA qualified school as well.

Good hunting
Bill
 
I am currently in Oregon and the weather is not really that cooperative most of the time(ex, I'm not going to be able to fly at all this week), so FL, TX or AZ would probably be the best. I am open to moving anywhere. Probably somewhere with the cheapest or included housing would be best and where I am able to build as much multi time as possible.
 
AFClydeman said:
I am currently in Oregon and the weather is not really that cooperative most of the time(ex, I'm not going to be able to fly at all this week), so FL, TX or AZ would probably be the best. I am open to moving anywhere. Probably somewhere with the cheapest or included housing would be best and where I am able to build as much multi time as possible.
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Oregon's a nice place, having spent a good portion of my life just to the north of you in Washington I understand the weather issues.

My advice is to google "flight academies" for each state, then research the heck out of them. I do know Ari-ben (3 months included) and ATP (how long???) have housing, US flight academy & Skymates does not, and I'm not sure about the others. ATP is a bit spendy but its not VA approved anyway, Ari-Ben is less expensive and VA approved, but very busy because of it.

Research Research Research
Bill
 
AFClydeman said:
Hi all,

I am working on my VA Disability and once I get them I plan on going to a school or academy. Since the VA will be paying for 100% of the bill the price of the school really isn't an issue. I've been researching through forums and various websites for the last two weeks and am kind of at a complete loss as to which school to choose. The latest seems to be AirSafety Flight Academy in AZ. I was looking at ATP, I've heard about all the good and bad, but it's not part 141 which the VA requires. And input, especially from actual students, would be much appreciated. Also if there are any Disabled Vets out there who have used Vocational Rehabilitation let me know.
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Before you spend a dime on flight training, make sure you can hold an FAA Class 1 Medical with your disability rating.

I've heard about people not declaring VA disability on their apps and having the FAA yank their tickets when they found out.

Best to find out, aboveboard, before you go and set yourself up for failure.
 
It's not going to be a problem. I only have minor Sleep Apnea. I am working on my Second Class right now and the FAA already knows about it. At the most it will require a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, but because I don't need a CPAP or any other prescription device it will probably only require a checkout by my physician stating that my treatment is working. Plus I'm going to have surgery on my nose so hopefully most of the symptoms will go away. I've been researching it and there are a bunch of ATP's who have Major Sleep Apnea who still fly.
 
Let me know what VA rep you talked to. The one I talked with, NYC, told me it still goes by the GI Bill guideline. Pay for your private and 40% afterwards. It total BS because you can go to any college, for anything and it is 100% covered. According to the VA rep, not flight training. She also told me I have to go to a college to do it. Which according to their booklet, that's not the case. It just seems that they have no idea what they are talking about. Also, I was told, it depends on where you go for training. That local office is who you have to talk with. As they are the one that approves where you're going. I have written to the Congressional Subcommittee of Veterans Affairs about that. Why is flight training singled out, I don't know. Get back with me on what you are told. I plan ongoing to Ari-Ben. I also have my GI Bill, which I plan to use, since what I was told by the VA Rep.
 
Well, I guess I'm going to have to take out a few loans. BOOOOO.

TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED) PART 21--VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION--Table of Contents Subpart A--Vocational Rehabilitation Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 Sec. 21.134 Limitation on flight training. Flight Training approved under chapter 31 may only be authorized in degree curriculum's in the field of aviation that include required flight training. This type of training is otherwise subject to the same limitations as are applicable to flight training under Chapter 30. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 3680A(b)) [57 FR 57108, Dec. 3, 1992] Special Rehabilitation Services

So basically I'm only getting 60% unless I go to Embry or someplace like that and it's not worth putting that much time into it because I have less than a year of school left to get my degree. But it's better than nothing since I don't have the MGIB cause I was only Active for 2 years.
 
Sorry to bust your bubble. Same bad news that I got. But like I said, to me it is an unfair rule that should not be there. It is something that needs to be changed. I have contacted about three Congressmen and the subcommittee of VA about it. Maybe more should contact their Reps. and Senators, to have it changed. It have to take a change in the law to fix it. Because some took advantage to get their privates, everyone who wants to use it to get a career gets screwed. They should reimburse the one that get all their certif's.
 
Yeah, you might as well use the MGIB for flying since you can get 100% for college stuff. I was just looking into Embry this afternoon but I don't want to spend what would probably equate to 3 years getting all the certs and not end up with enough hours when I can just get loans for the 40% and call it good. It won't be terribly hard to pay off the $24,000 or so. I'll just throw my Disability money at it every month.

But I will be contacting all of the VA Subcommittee members in the next few days letting them know my displeasure on their current regs.:banghead:
 
If you go to the US Congress website you'll find the subcommittee. The chairman is Bob Filner. What I would like to do is put a class action lawsuit or some form of legal action to get them to change the rule. I put in the same amount of money as anyone else and I rate the amount of disability to get Voc Rehab. Why is flight training the only career path with rules. Why is it the only one where a vet has to pay before the put a dime to the program. It wasted ten years of not being able to get the training I deserve. If other vet would like to voice their opinion and try to get the rule changed let me know.
 
I am having the same problems understanding why they wont pay 100%. I believe that if you already have your private you should be reimbursed 100%. I wouldn't have a problem signing a contract with the VA saying that I will finish all my ratings...

Still though, if you think about it 60% reimbusment is still better than the full payment all the civilians have to pay.
 
rostato said:
Still though, if you think about it 60% reimbursement is still better than the full payment all the civilians have to pay.
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Yes it's better than nothing but, when all other colleges and training is 100% covered you can't single one out. It is the only one that has this rule. And how how many of the vets coming out of the service have that much money to drop. That is still alot of cash to be in debt for. It is suppose to help you get on your feet, not put you in a hole. I'm not picking to be a doctor or a lawyer. Or go to a really expensive school. I had a person from the NYS dept of Labor tell me to go to Hofstra because it's covered. Why should I go to a school just cause it's covered. I have no interest in what they teach. Vocational Rehab is suppose to help me get the training for a job I pick. It's just not right. Maybe it was done to make sure the military pilots cut down the competition when they get out. It's a rule that needs to be changed. And also it's not 60%, you forget you're paying for the private pilot. It comes to around 50% when you factor all you have to pay.
 
Yes, but the private pilot certificate is considered to be a recreational license. Thats why. You are not allowed to make money with your private certificate. Plus some people were just not ment to fly and thats why they want you to get your private first. They want to make sure you can handle the tasks before getting the rest of your ratings... Do I agree with it, no. But still I am just glad to only have to spend about $20,000 for all my ratings rather than $50,000 or more.
 
What school are you going to for $20000? Besides the $30000 for the flight school I am responsible for, I am still looking at another $20000 for living expenses. The fact I'll be out of work for at least four months, I have bills to pay and two kids to care for. I can take paying up front, but they should pay it back after I get my other licenses. If I didn't get an airline job wouldn't my other licenses be considered as recreational? They could have found better ways to make sure the people continued the training. It took me nine years to have money to afford flight training. Oh great only one year left with the GI Bill. Their way just makes it harder for a vet to get the training. Even if it doesn't help me I'm going to try to have that changed. Yes it better than nothing, but there are better ways to handle it.
 
Agreed. I am going to Ari-Ben Aviator in Ft. Pierce. I am lucky enough to have saved plenty to cover my expenses without taking loans. Any my "serious" girlfriend that I have lived with for almost 2 years is a nurse...so I don't need to worry about living expenses. She knows after my first few years as a pilot she can take a break and get her Masters degree. I guess I am just lucky...

20000 for living expenses????? I don't get it. You must have one hell of a morgage.
 
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