RCFlyer

Do you have the original copy of that email still? I would love to get my hands on that one!

azbulldog

Any HR department that allows their people to simply throw away resumes is not a well organized HR dpt, and they are doing themselves a disservice. Did you really mean to say that or use it to make a point?

meeko031

HOW?(not defending either side)

tprangner

I totally dissagree, I'm getting ready to separate from active duty Army. The only way I can even afford flight training is by doing the PFT route. Thats the only way the G.I. Bill will cover at least 60%. Besides PFTers are still training. How much time and money is invested is irrevelent and their business. OJT helps too! The point is to get the time needed to get in.

Spartan07

On the contrary bud, The GI Bill will give you the full allottment for any degree awarding Pt 141 school. That's a whopping $1252 per month if you did the $600 kicker. Plus student financial aid, and any VA benefits you may be entitled to. Make sure you research all your options before you think that this one is the only way you can do it.

tprangner

If its such as sham, then why is it VA approved? Again thats the only way some of us are able to get the ratings and hours. If the government is willing pick up 60% of the tab, I will train wherever they tell me I can go. I'll make up the other 40% That doesn't make me a sucker.

tprangner

I'm trying to dip my hands into everything VA will give me. The less I have to pay for flight training, the happier I will be. I once had the idea that going to DCA, RAA etc. was the best and most prestigious route to get recongized by the regionals. I'm glad I was wrong. If Uncle's Buck's Flight training is VA approved, versus RAA, DCA for 25K cheaper, then make me a bed in the barn, I'm moving inn! As for awarding full allotment for Pt 141 school, I called Midland College out in Midland, TX. Their 141 training was NOT VA approved, not even the academics, so thats not always the case, but thanks for the insight. I take it you have gone down the G.I. Bill road? I just believe that for some people that wish to attend GSA, DCA, RAA and want that investment in their training should be considered scabs. Hours are hours, ratings are ratings. It dosen't matter where you get them from. Its just my opinnion though.

de727ups

What part is VA approved?

The pay to be an F/O on a Beech 1900? What ratings do you get acting as a Beech 1900 F/O?

Maybe G/A has a 141 school that gets you ratings and is VA approved. I don't see how the pay to play airline pilot part of the program could be approved by the VA. In any case, as you can see from the previous comments, the Gulfstream pay to be an F/O program is not looked upon well in the industry. One should never pay for a job in this biz.

Spartan07

Yeah, from what I understand of it there has to be some kind of degree/certificate awarded at the end of the program. I don't understand hoe PFJ would be applicable here.

And this isn't a sales pitch but the flight school that I am going to right now is a Part 141, degree awarding flight school that is fully certified by the VA. Don't limit yourself by asking one flight school and assuming that that is the way it is at all flight schools.

I think you might be barking up the wrong tree here and only asking about paying for flight training which is where you are getting the 60% figure. Any flight training you receive toward further ratings can be covered up to 60% by the GI Bill. However, what I am talking about is looking in to a "Flight Academy" that provides flight training and concurrent college courses to the eventual award of a collegiate degree. If the school is an approved degree awarding institution then you are available for the full GI Bill allotment, scholarships, and if eligible Vocational Rehab (Definitely look in to this and see if you are eligible).

tprangner

VA will only fund flight training if the school offers pt 141. That would make the school VA approved.

Maybe I'm misunderstood. The original subject was about how students that are being recruited from high school by GSA, getting into 60-70K in debt for flight training. Some responded that this way was wrong and to do the old fashioned CFI route or you're considered a scab because you would rather pay to get all the time you need to get into the regionals versus gaining your hours slowly as a CFI. I'm not exactly sure how the industry see's your "pay to play f/o" philosophy de727ups. You've been in the industry alot longer than I've been. I'm sure that lots see the "pay to be f/o" as unethical, untraditional etc. But not everyone want to be a CFI and/or cannot get a part-time flight job to build hours. A person would rather take their careers in their own hands, invest more money into training and then when they have the min. to apply to a regional, they can transition right into the right seat without being at the mercy of students, scheduling with FBOs to gain hours that could take an additional 1-2 years as a CFI. Being a Beech 1900 f/o isn't much, but its a start. When someone starts a new job, most of the time they're viewed as "wet behind the ears" "scab" "newbie" "rookie" etc. Thats because the "newbie" has to build a reputation. I know first hand that its hard as hell to be a new soldier in the military. They're called alot more than just a "scab" thats for sure, and maybe the industry see's those who pay as unethical, but thats up to the individual to prove the industry wrong and everyone he/she works with. Students who go to prestigious universities like Harvard, Princeton are not viewed as "pay to be a lawyer" "pay to be a doctor." They're in debt into the hundreds of thousands. Bottom line is don't stereotype pilots who invest more than others a backstabber to the industry. They may be fools for not doing flight training for less, but they're pilots too, and I'm sure that over the next 10-20 years it won't matter what school you came from "Uncle Airlines Needs You!"

As for me spartan, I'm exploring every option I can to get from Uncle Sam without pulling from my pocket for training. I would have liked to go to DCA or FSA, but I can't afford more big loans or the cost of living in Florida. I'm gonna due traditional route with a 141 degree awarding school as I continue to work full time. I just have to wait to find a job, move there, get settled and search for a school that has 141. I will then resume my training. Thanks to both of you for reading.