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How To Use the Expanded GI Bill For Flight Training

kyle — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:00:34 +0000

Expanded GI Bill includes provisions for flight training

Starting in October 2011, veterans who qualify for the Expanded Post-9/11 GI Bill will be allowed to use their benefits to pay tuition at a number of non-degree vocational programs, including flight training. This is the most comprehensive revision of the law as it applies to veterans’ benefits since the Montgomery GI Bill of 1985 and the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

In the past, veterans were limited to using their educational benefits to earn college degrees. With the expansion of benefits, military veterans can now attend flight schools even if they enroll in a non-degree granting program. However, it’s important to know that the GI Bill will not pay for primary flight training (for example, a private pilot license) but will pay for advanced ratings required to work as a pilot (like an instrument rating or commercial pilot license).

Read the full article How To Use the Expanded GI Bill For Flight Training at AviationSchoolsOnline.com

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University of Illinois Closes Pilot Training Program

kyle — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 09:45:02 +0000

The University of Illinois has decided to close their aviation program, which includes their pilot training program. They cited declining enrollment in the program. In 2002, 176 freshmen applied compared to 34 in 2010. The closing is expected to save up to $75,000 annually. The program is slated to close in 2014, which will allow current students to obtain their degrees. The lack of enrolled students is somewhat of a mystery, considering the predicted world shortage of airline pilots. Some commentators have expressed the opinion that many U.S. students prefer to be doctors and lawyers.

Perhaps they are discouraged by the fact that in the U.S., 4,000 airline pilots have suffered layoffs. Still, sources state that U.S. airlines will need 40,000 new pilots by 2023. The major demand will be in Asia where the economies are booming, especially in China and India. The economy in China is expected to grow 10.5 percent in 2011, with the economy in India close behind at 9.4 percent. This new-found prosperity is creating a prosperous middle class that creates a burgeoning demand for air-passenger service.

A group that opposes closing of the school has established a website at http://www.savetheinstituteofaviation.com/. The group blames some actions of the university for worsening the lack of enrollment. Barring a reversal of the decision of the board of trustees, the group’s efforts have failed.

Airlines in the middle-east are participating in the boom. Emirates Airline, the Middle-east’s largest airline, has ordered 200 planes. The airline is owned by the government of Dubai, of the United Arab Emirates. The airline has a world-wide presence with 2400 flights weekly to 111 cities and 62 countries. It is possible to fly non-stop from Dubai to San Francisco.

Due to the economic condition of U.S. airlines, their pilots do not receive compensation commensurate with the skill and experience required. Although U.S. pilots have taken severe pay cuts in recent years, the worldwide demand for pilots is beginning to increase competition for pilots. Emirates Airlines is offering a villa in come cases. In the light of these facts, it appears that the job prospects for U.S. pilots are very encouraging; especially if they are willing to relocate to a foreign country. Airline pilot is a very demanding job that requires the utmost in skill and dedication. The perfect example is Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, who crash-landed the airliner in the frigid Hudson River without loss of life.

Sources:

Sophia Tareen/”U of Illinois Votes to End Aviation Program”/Bloomberg Businessweek

Save the Institute of Aviation Website

Chan Sue Ling/”Pilots Needed for Cockpits as Asia Boom Creates Shortage”/Bloomberg

Regional Meetings to Boost AOPA Flight Training Student Retention Initiative

Matt — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:00:40 +0000

AOPA will be hosting a number of regional meetings as part of their Flight Training Student Retention Initiative

AOPA is hosting a number of meetings in Chicago, Long Beach and Dallas as part of their Flight Training Student Retention Initiative. The meetings, which began in May, are intended to integrate the frontline practitioners, such as flight instructors and flight school owners, and the aviation community at large into the process of increasing student retention and success rates. The meetings consist of a presentation on the AOPA initiative followed by small group discussions that are the meat and potatoes of these meetings.

The meeting locations, which were chosen based on flight school density, will host two meetings in order to maximize participation. One meeting is intended to allow flight training providers, such as flight instructors, to offer their insights into how AOPA can help them succeed in growing the pilot population. The other is for members of the aviation community at large. The two meetings work hand-in-hand to gather perspectives from both sides of the flight training equation, instructor and student.

According to reports, AOPA estimates that nearly three in four people who start flight training do not complete their training and earn a pilot certificate. With an overall population in a state of decay, it is important to develop new pilots. These meetings will hopefully impart the AOPA initiative with the right stuff to sort out this completion issue.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Source: Student Retention Initiative gains frontline perspective at regional meetings

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

University to Close Aviation Program

Matt — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:00:17 +0000

The program currently has 7 Piper Arrows used in training for commercial ratings.

After the end of the 2013-2014 academic year, the University of Illinois will no longer have an aviation program. In a 6-2 vote on July 21st, the university’s Board of Trustees elected to close their Institute of Aviation.

The institute has a long history, stretching from as far back as 1946, of graduating pilots for the airlines, aviation industry, and government. The Civil Aeronautics Authority (the pre-FAA era government overseeing aviation) issued the program the first airman pilot examining agency certificate on May 29, 1950.

The July 21st vote to shut down the program is a part of a package of cost-cutting measures designed to help balance the school budget. The decision is not without controversy, however, as it opposes a faculty senate decision not to shut down the program. Unfortunately, proposed savings of $500,000 to $750,000 a year from closing the program coupled with declining enrollment has overshadowed the institute’s graduation rate. The only hope for the program seems to be the Illinois Board of Higher Education, who must approve the closure, or some out of the box thinking.

Program supporters are currently investigating methods to allow the institute to continue offering flight-training opportunity. Specifically, supporters are currently seeking out other schools who might have interest in establishing flight training programs and discussing ways the institute can support those initiatives.

According to the program’s chief pilot, 160 students had enrolled in program courses for the spring. She indicated that the program seems to have fallen out of favor rather than become unviable. The program director quit five years ago and no replacement has been hired. Instead, there have been persistent rumors of the program’s imminent closure which certainly had an effect on the enrollment numbers.

Despite their size, the smallest program on the Urbana-Champaign campus, the program has graduated a number of very successful graduates currently working in all areas of the aviation industry. Their training fleet, which includes 18 Piper Archers, seven Piper Arrows, three Piper Seminoles, and two Cessna 152s. With only one aircraft with a glass cockpit, this is hardly an excessively costly fleet considering the level of enrollment.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Source: University of Illinois aviation program to close

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

Airlines Preparing for Pilot Shortage

kyle — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:00:05 +0000

Indications point to a looming pilot shortage - Photo courtesy of and copyright Brandon Farris

The already hectic airline industry is currently facing a new problem as prospective pilots are rapidly turning down commercial airline pilot jobs in lieu of less demanding, more profitable ventures. As pilot salaries have diminished over the years, perfectly qualified candidates are not keen on the idea of earning less than $20,000 a year, for several years, as they work their way up to a top airline gig.

This disinterest comes at a time when airline carriers are looking to hire many new pilots to compensate for a recent wave of retirements. Is it a surprise, though, that pilots should be retiring in the wake of extreme cutbacks that make demanding piloting jobs completely not worth the effort? Until about ten years ago, senior pilots made about $200,000 with full benefits; now, they receive fewer benefits and are paid much less. Airlines like Delta and US Airways furloughed thousands of pilots following the economic downturn, slashed pay for senior pilots, and terminated pension plans. US Airways pilot Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who made headlines with his heroic water-landing in New York City’s Hudson river, told a House of Representatives subcommittee that pay cuts on airline pilot salary have put senior pilots in “untenable” positions. “I do not know a single professional airline pilot,” he said, “who wants his or her children to follow in their footsteps.”

The outfits taking the biggest financial hit, according to aviation professionals, are the regional airlines: the “feeders” that fly travelers from the major airlines to and from small cities. Most pilots start their careers at the regional airlines; now, they are not so inclined. Roger Cohen, president of the Regional Airline Association, fears that some smaller cities will be left without airline service. Others, like Louis Smith, president of Flt.Ops.com, shares his viewpoint, “It’s going to be like a snowstorm that hits only the regionals. They will run short and cancel flights as soon as this summer,” he said.

Resulting from the cutbacks, enrollment at flight schools inevitably dropped. In fact, enrollment has tanked 26% in the last decade, including professional and recreational pilots. The lack of enrollment can also be attributed to the banks, most of which halted loans for aviation training. JetBlue has been one of the only airlines to consistently hire more pilots.

The FAA is doing its best to help reverse the negative trends. In 2007 they raised the mandatory retirement age to 65, from 60. Also, they are helping lighten the load on pilots, allowing for more rest time and fewer hours. The requirements on pilots remain rigorous, however, as prospective pilots of commercial flights must log 1500 hours of flight time. First officers have to fly only 250 hours.

As the rules and benefits for commercial airline piloting become more rigid, it is no wonder that many prospective pilots are looking towards corporate business jobs in aviation.

Search our flight school listings for training options.

Further information regarding the pilot shortage can be found here:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/airlines/article1151133.ece

Flight Training Benefits For Veterans Improve With New 9/11 GI Bill

kyle — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:00:54 +0000

Veterans with a passion for flying can now soar into the wild blue yonder with extended benefits through the GI Bill 2.0 as part of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010. Previously vocational and flight-related training were not covered, but now such training will be covered when the law goes into effect on October 1, 2011.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs under the Post-9 11 GI Bill covers the lesser of the amounts (of $10,000) between actual net in-state tuition costs and the fees charged by flight schools. Other Department of Veterans Affairs programs already covering flight-related training include the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty and Veterans Educational Assistance Program.

Veterans are urged to check with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the flight school they chose is VA approved and meets VA qualifications prior to enrollment. Right now VA-approved flight schools are eligible for reimbursement through the Montgomery GI Bill.

In October veterans enrolling in flight schools will be able to receive direct payment through the Post-9 11 GI Bill. It is recommended that veterans who choose to pursue flight training attain a VA Certificate of Eligibility to determine how much military education benefits they may receive to put towards flight training. Regardless of VA reimbursement, veterans are responsible for fees associated with flight training programs.

Veterans who successfully complete an aviation training program will be a part of a growing selection of career opportunities. Flight-related careers are expected to show at least a 12% growth through 2018 according to US Bureau of Labor statistics. Job opportunities may include air cargo carriers, regional airlines, air taxis and low-cost carriers.

While college degrees and commercial pilot license are required for most flight-related jobs, military pilots have an advantage in the face of tough competition. Pilots can also start their professional flight careers working as flight instructors. This allows for the accumulation of flight hours and additional experience that will make veterans pursing aviation careers more attractive for lucrative jobs with commercial airlines.

The average wage for commercial pilots can range from approximately $73,000 to $117,000, depending on experience and specific flight-related job. Veterans can get more information on the Post-9 11 GI Bill at military.com or through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Click this link to see our Featured Flight Training Schools

Source
http://www.gibill.com/news/flight-training-now-covered-by-post-911-gi-bill-333.html

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Flight Training Costs Creating Pilot Shortage

Matt — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 07:00:18 +0000

In spite of forecasts indicating skyrocketing demand for pilots in the next few years, flight training providers can’t find enough student pilots to keep the doors open. This begs the question, “why aren’t people signing up to fly?” The primary hurdle, or barrier to entry if you will, is a near complete lack of funding options for future career pilots.

While the profession isn’t as glorious as the old stereotype, being paid to fly is still a dream job. Pilots don’t have as many days off or make as much money as their neighbors think they do, but it’s all worth it for the view. Unfortunately, getting into the left seat of an airliner requires a set of demanding and varied skills that can cost a pretty penny to learn… money that many potential pilot trainees just don’t have.

When you consider the sheer amount of knowledge and skills required to be a proficient pilot – things like managing ever more complicated technology, knowing how to keep the plane in the air, and playing part-time meteorologist – flying can start to look daunting to say the least. Throw in that the cost to have the privilege of trying to make your brain explode by trying to cram in all that information is more than $75,000 and suddenly accounting is starting to look pretty attractive as a career.

The truth is, flight training is difficult and expensive, but it is worth it and there is always a way to make it happen. There are training programs available that meet the needs of nearly every aspiring aviator, but the relatively sparse funding programs are creating a shortage of full-time pilot trainees in favor of students taking a more part-time approach. These students typically take about twice as long to complete a standard ATP program of study compared to full-time students, but by stretching the costs out over a longer period of time they also typically graduate with less debt.

According to figures in Boeing’s Market Outlook for 2010 the aviation industry worldwide will require an average of 23,300 new pilots per year over the next two decades in order to cope with pilot retirements and fleet growth. While a significant portion of this expansion of the worldwide aviation market is very attractive for aircraft manufacturers and potential pilots, US-based pilots have even more going for them. In 2007, FAA pushed back the mandatory retirement age to 65 in order to cope with a similar potential shortage. While this has led to a number of furloughs among younger pilots in the short term, within the next five years nearly two out of every three pilots are facing retirement. Given such an excellent potential job market, this makes the training situation even more problematic for would-be pilots, airlines, and even aircraft manufacturers. Funding troubles aside, one thing is certain – now is the best time to start training if you have the funding.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Source: Cost blamed as training lags pilot demand

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

Wisconsin College Adds Aviation Minor

Matt — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 07:00:21 +0000

A small, liberal arts college in Wisconsin, Lakeland College, recently announced plans to launch a four-year undergraduate minor in aviation.

The program will begin in the fall semester and consists of 31 credit hours of work. The required course work includes ground school classroom instruction and flight instruction at Sheboygan County Memorial Airport or Austin Straubel International Airport.

Lakeland and Frontline Aviation, based in Green Bay, partnered to create the program, which is the first of its kind in Wisconsin. While the partnership does come at a down time, experts are predicting an upswing in aviation jobs for which graduates of such programs will be perfectly positioned. The program at Lakeland is designed to provide students with the education and flying skills required for those jobs. The program is also designed to allow area students to obtain their pilot ratings and a four-year degree without having to endure transferring from a smaller two-year school.

The commercial aviation sector has seen more than its share of job loss and pay cuts recently with pilots losing out in major airline mergers and flight schools closing because of rising insurance and training costs in the face of a reduction in applicants who can afford flight training. Fortunately, industry experts see light on the horizon. They are calling for a shortage of pilots in the next few years as the federally-mandated retirement catches up with many airline pilots.

Additionally, niche pilot careers like corporate charters or law enforcement aviation are starting to get more attention from schools. By combining a four-year degree in criminal justice and flight training, a student would be well positioned to pilot aircraft for a law enforcement agency like U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Unfortunately, cost is going to play a huge role in deciding the viability of the new program. Lakeland officials estimate that students will have to pay $27,000 for the program, which takes them up to their flight instructor certificate. Most of the program costs go to pay for aircraft rental which is about $125 per hour at Frontline Aviation.

The bottom line is that Lakeland students now have one of the most affordable flight training programs at their disposal. They will graduate with a four-year degree ready to move into a flight instructing or entry-level commercial flying job. Within a short amount of time they could be well on their way to an ATP rating and the right seat of a commercial airliner as hiring increases at the airlines.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or compare flight training in Wisconsin.

Source:Undergrads earn degrees and wings

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

Santa Gears Up for Big Night

Matt — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 07:00:31 +0000

Santa rappels from a USAF Pave Hawk helicopter during practice exercises for his yearly excursion.

Tonight is a big night for a renowned pilot and his unusual aircraft. There have been several reports that indicate Santa is preparing for his annual round-the-world flight and highlight some innovative additions to his sleigh.

According to Avweb, the FAA reported that this year Santa’s sleigh is sporting the latest in satellite-based NextGen technology. The hope is that Santa’s new toy will allow for increased efficiency and safety by providing Santa and crew with the most accurate location, terrain, and weather data available. Additionally, the new equipment will boost the accuracy with which NORAD can track the world-spanning trek’s progress. Smart phone users with Google Maps for Mobile can track Santa by searching for “Santa.”

Forbes’ Wheels Up blog confirms that Santa is a licensed pilot. For the truly curious, they provide a few sketchy details about how exactly Old Saint Nick came to be a pilot. Apparently, his unique aircraft with an unusual power plant isn’t the most forgiving of flying machines, making for a difficult check ride. Thankfully, he was in fact issued a certificate. Imagine how long his Christmas journey would take without his flying reindeer and sleigh; it would be virtually impossible for Santa to truck all that cargo to its destinations in one night.

Canadian aviation authorities have cleared Santa for his annual flight, but have not confirmed leaked flight plan details which the Toronto Sun is reporting. According to a Transport Canada release, he passed all required examinations despite concerns that long nights filled with endless cookie consumption may have taken their toll on Santa’s physical.
According to the flight plan, pilot S. Claus has filed a 24-hour itinerary from the North Pole for December 24th to numerous destinations including the “homes of all the nice children in the world.”

On a related note, while Santa and his annual trip receive a great deal of the spotlight, aviation professionals world-wide will also be on duty delivering their precious cargo. Whether it be gifts or family members making their way home for the holiday, hundreds of pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals will be hard at work ensuring the safe arrival of the heavily-laden aircraft.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Sources: Airspace Preps For Santa, Santa Claus Exists And He Is A (Very) Active Pilot, and Santa’s flight plan leaked

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

US Aviation Group and Tarrant County College Sign Agreement

Matt — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:00:15 +0000

US Aviation Group and Tarrant County College have established an accredited flight training program at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

US Aviation Group(USAG), based out of Denton, Texas, has entered into an agreement with Tarrant County College (TCC) establishing access to USAG’s Part 141 flight training for TCC students. The two organizations will operate an accredited flight training program via a Learning Center established at Alliance Airport (AFW), in Fort Worth.

TCC students will be able to apply available financial aid, including GI Bill benefits and Pell Grants, to help pay for enrollment in USAG’s Professional Pilot Program. Upon completion of the program, students can expect to hold a multi-engine commercial rating and have passed the written exam for their ATP certificate. Additionally, the students can undertake coursework at TCC for a two-year degree in aviation and transfer to a university to complete their four-year degree.

This program sprang from an idea put forth by the North Central Council of Governments to provide a way for students to receive flight training locally. According to Floyd Curtis, Dean of Business, Technology and Transportation at TCC, the college latched onto the idea and began investigating Part 141 flight training providers in North Texas, where they discovered USAG. TCC was pleased with the success of USAG’s flight training program and both parties began negotiations to create the current program.

USAG is expecting “rapid growth and a high success rate” of students in the program. They currently conduct flight training at Denton and Hondo Municipal Airports, but will gradually expand operations to AFW as TCC students enroll for flight training. According to the President of USAG, Mike Sykes, within five years the U.S. airline industry can expect to see a critical shortage of qualified pilots as the numbers of older pilots reaching mandatory retirements out pace the numbers of new pilots. Despite current conditions at some airlines, now is the best time to begin flight training in order to best capitalize on the impending shortage.

For more information on US Aviation Group see our featured schools page for US Flight Academy in Denton, TX.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Source: US Aviation pens agreement with college

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.