Best use of G.I. Bill.. thoughts?

[wandererjs]

Disclaimer: As I'm posting in a sponsor's section, I should clarify that 'best use' means *my* best use, not CPS

With that said, I'd like veteran's thoughts on the use of G.I. Bill for flight training. Here's my situation and where I'm leaning:

My G.I. Bill benefits expire in Dec 2010. I haven't touched it yet, so I have an estimated $36k available. If I don't use it, I lose it. I already have a PPL. I also own a quarter-share in an IFR-equipped 175, so do not need to rent for the basic single-engine land training

Previously, I've toyed with the idea of taking a few weeks vacation from work and taking an accelerated IFR and/or commercial class to get the training/ratings/experience at a nice discount. As no one in the Kansas City area was part 141 (I ask around every year or so), I expected to fly elsewhere.

While chatting with an instructor for my BFR, I learned that CPS is not only part 141 as of earlier this year, they're also VA approved as of a few months ago.

Naturally, this piqued my interest, and all sorts of ideas came to mind: CPS is about 30 minutes from here (Stanley)...

Putting it all together, I have 36k in benefits that I love to support Uncle Sam in "revitalizing the economy" via CPS. No offense to ATP or any other school, but CPS (KIXD) is a short commute away.

As I have a plane, what's the best use of the benefit dollars? IFR/Commercial sounds like a gimme, but as I crunch the numbers: there's really not much benefit financially for instructor time. The price sheet I saw listed instructors at $50 an hour, of which GI Bill would reiumburse me 60%, or $30, for a net of $20/hour after paperwork. The instructor my coworkers and partners have used is $30; a bit higher in the end, but no paperwork. The time benefit of an accelerated course would be nice, but if I could also use the GI bill for fuel (for training hours only, of course), that would be a slam dunk.

Beyond that... which courses/ratings are approved for both Part 141 and VA? Multiengine? any/all of the CFI courses?

To be fair, and put things in perspective: I'm not looking for piloting as a career. I have a decent/good paying job that I enjoy, and pilot for.. well, because we can! I would get additional ratings (IFR, commercial, ME, et cetra) to improve my skills and for the sake of flying.

Don't get me wrong, I'd jump at the chance for a part-time weekend flying gig..., but am not deluding myself into thinking this will my career.

Thoughts?

Joel

[MichaelCPS]

Originally Posted by wandererjs

Disclaimer: As I'm posting in a sponsor's section, I should clarify that 'best use' means *my* best use, not CPS

With that said, I'd like veteran's thoughts on the use of G.I. Bill for flight training. Here's my situation and where I'm leaning:

My G.I. Bill benefits expire in Dec 2010. I haven't touched it yet, so I have an estimated $36k available. If I don't use it, I lose it. I already have a PPL. I also own a quarter-share in an IFR-equipped 175, so do not need to rent for the basic single-engine land training

Previously, I've toyed with the idea of taking a few weeks vacation from work and taking an accelerated IFR and/or commercial class to get the training/ratings/experience at a nice discount. As no one in the Kansas City area was part 141 (I ask around every year or so), I expected to fly elsewhere.

While chatting with an instructor for my BFR, I learned that CPS is not only part 141 as of earlier this year, they're also VA approved as of a few months ago.

Naturally, this piqued my interest, and all sorts of ideas came to mind: CPS is about 30 minutes from here (Stanley)...

Putting it all together, I have 36k in benefits that I love to support Uncle Sam in "revitalizing the economy" via CPS. No offense to ATP or any other school, but CPS (KIXD) is a short commute away.

As I have a plane, what's the best use of the benefit dollars? IFR/Commercial sounds like a gimme, but as I crunch the numbers: there's really not much benefit financially for instructor time. The price sheet I saw listed instructors at $50 an hour, of which GI Bill would reiumburse me 60%, or $30, for a net of $20/hour after paperwork. The instructor my coworkers and partners have used is $30; a bit higher in the end, but no paperwork. The time benefit of an accelerated course would be nice, but if I could also use the GI bill for fuel (for training hours only, of course), that would be a slam dunk.

Beyond that... which courses/ratings are approved for both Part 141 and VA? Multiengine? any/all of the CFI courses?

To be fair, and put things in perspective: I'm not looking for piloting as a career. I have a decent/good paying job that I enjoy, and pilot for.. well, because we can! I would get additional ratings (IFR, commercial, ME, et cetra) to improve my skills and for the sake of flying.

Don't get me wrong, I'd jump at the chance for a part-time weekend flying gig..., but am not deluding myself into thinking this will my career.

Thoughts?

Joel

Joel:

The biggest problem is that you cannot use your own aircraft to train under 141. Therefore, you would have to use an approved 141 aircraft and an approved 141 instructor in order to use your GI Bill funds.

Our 141 approved courses are: Private, Instrument, and Commercial. The Instrument and Commercial courses are by far the priciest part of flight training due to the amount of complex hours required under our 141 syllabus.

Michael

[wandererjs]

Originally Posted by MichaelCPS

Joel:

The biggest problem is that you cannot use your own aircraft to train under 141. Therefore, you would have to use an approved 141 aircraft and an approved 141 instructor in order to use your GI Bill funds.

Our 141 approved courses are: Private, Instrument, and Commercial. The Instrument and Commercial courses are by far the priciest part of flight training due to the amount of complex hours required under our 141 syllabus.

Michael

Well, dang... so much for saving Uncle Sam some $$$ on using my own plane.

Several questions for you:

1) are your accelerated IFR and Commercial courses approved for 141 and VA, or just the regular curriculum?
2) Are there any plans in progress for part 141 syllabi for CFI or multi-engine?

Thanks much,

Joel

[wildwezul1]

Originally Posted by wandererjs

Well, dang... so much for saving Uncle Sam some $$$ on using my own plane.

Several questions for you:

1) are your accelerated IFR and Commercial courses approved for 141 and VA, or just the regular curriculum?
2) Are there any plans in progress for part 141 syllabi for CFI or multi-engine?

Thanks much,

Joel

As for #1 yes the IFR course is approved, I teach the IFR course for 141.

[MichaelCPS]

The accelerated instrument CAN be done under 141. The accelerated Commercial CANNOT. The 141 Commercial program is 120 hours of flight time, which would take a good deal of time to complete.

[surreal1221]

Michael,

You guys hold VA Approval for those 141 Courses?

Just seeking some clarification. Noticed you had 141 Approved courses, but are those FAA Approved 141 courses (obviously they'd be approved if you're holding a 141 cert), or did you mean that the Approved 141 Courses are those approved by the VA?

[MichaelCPS]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Michael,

You guys hold VA Approval for those 141 Courses?

Just seeking some clarification. Noticed you had 141 Approved courses, but are those FAA Approved 141 courses (obviously they'd be approved if you're holding a 141 cert), or did you mean that the Approved 141 Courses are those approved by the VA?

I should have stated that the VA of the State of Kansas has approved our courses but we are awaiting word from the people that have to approve it from a national level. The Kansas VA stated that we could start training people under our courses and that they could apply for the benefits to the national level. It is kind of a weird deal that I don't fully understand. I will call the offices in Topeka on Monday and find out for sure.

[surreal1221]

Gotcha.

Yeah, I'd be extremely cautious.

The VA is a funny animal.

[wandererjs]

Originally Posted by MichaelCPS

I should have stated that the VA of the State of Kansas has approved our courses but we are awaiting word from the people that have to approve it from a national level. The Kansas VA stated that we could start training people under our courses and that they could apply for the benefits to the national level. It is kind of a weird deal that I don't fully understand. I will call the offices in Topeka on Monday and find out for sure.

All:

I appreciate the input. For an instrument course, it seems I'm better off (i.e, less expensive) in using my own plane and forgoing part 141 VA benefits. Dang.

Michael:
Are there any plans to get VA approval for a multiengine rating? It seems that I (and others) would get the most bang for the buck on the airplane rental, when the airplane is better equipped than what I have: twin, complex, hi performance, et cetra.

Thanks much,

Joel

[MichaelCPS]

We are looking into providing Multi Engine Training under 141 (and eventually allowing students to utilize Veteran's Benefits).

Michael