Veterans' Benefits
Reimbursement of up to 100% for eligible military personnel
Military Service Benefits for USAeroFlight
USAeroFlight is approved to process VA Benefits. This means that military veterans wishing to pursue training as a professional pilot can do so and receive reimbursement for eligible training expenses. Our school has a VA-trained staff member who is available to aid you through the process.
Eligibility for VA Benefits
Under the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, any eligible veterans are entitled to apply up to 12 months of benefit towards flight training each academic year beginning August 1st. Private Pilot training is ineligible for VA reimbursement. The VA views our Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot courses as the same course, so a maximum of 12 months of benefit can be applied to these combined courses. See the US Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more about reimbursement coverage and eligibility.
What This Means for Military Veterans
A significant portion of the funding needed to launch a career in aviation can be covered by the United States government. With aggressive scheduling and reduced outside responsibilities, you can complete career-oriented certification training and all testing in as little as 3 months, putting you on the path to a pilot career quickly.
Eligible veterans should know that under the GI Bill®, the Private Pilot Certificate is considered a non-career certification and the US Government does not offer compensation for training expenses. Any flight training that goes beyond the Private Pilot Certification, such as the Commercial Pilot Certification, Instrument Rating, Multi-engine Rating, and the Certified Flight Instructor Certification, is eligible for full or partial reimbursement.
USAeroFlight is approved to process VA benefit reimbursement for the Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot Single-Engine, Commercial Multiengine Add-on, and a rotary to fixed-wing transition course that allows helicopter pilots to skip earning their Private Pilot airplane add-on, officially titled the "Commercial Additional Category & Class Course."
Why USAeroFlight is Great for Military Veterans
Here are a few reasons why current and former service members who have GI Bill® should consider USAeroFlight for their FAA-certified pilot training:
- Rich history of providing quality training on a professional level for over 40 years
- Quality instructors with military, missionary, corporate, and airline experience
- Curriculum written by our on-site DPE with over 50 years of flight experience
- In-house test center offering FAA written, oral, and practical tests (checkride examiner on staff)
- Location: SC's busiest General Aviation airport, with nearby mountains and a low cost of living
(1) Accelerated Course Schedule
Our one-on-one training programs are designed to be tailored to each student's learning ability. While studying full-time, our Private Pilot and Instrument Rating courses can each be completed in 4-6 weeks, and the Commercial Pilot course can be completed in as little as 6-8 weeks under ideal circumstances. Our Multi-engine Add-on course can be completed in 7-12 days.
(2) FAA-Approved Program
USAeroFlight’s Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine programs are all FAA-approved under Part 141.
Here's a breakdown of hours and pricing for Part 141 courses eligible for reimbursement:
Kurt’s Story
As a former Army Aviator, absent from the aviation community for close to a decade, I knew transitioning back to the industry would take time, dedication and perseverance to dust-off cobwebs and relearn a lot of old practices. USAeroFlight has made my transition much smoother than I anticipated.
The Flight Instructors are top notch; they’re extremely knowledgeable, excellent teachers and available when you have questions, which for me is constantly. The best part, the instructors are patient while instructing, which makes for an outstanding learning environment.
On top of that, the staff did all my paperwork for my G.I. Bill, processing all my flight and ground school hours; all I had to do was collect the money.
Program Hours
| Total Flight Time (hours) | Dual | Solo | Instrument | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Pilot Course | 35 | 20 | 5 | 3 |
| Instrument Rating Course | 35 | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| Commercial Pilot Course | 190* | 55 | 10 | 10 |
| * number based on total time of all three courses |
Program Cost
| Private Pilot | Instrument Rating | Commercial Pilot | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground/Briefings | $1,778 | $1,023 | $1,730 |
| Dual Flight Instruction | $2,100 | $2,068 | $3,610 |
| Aircraft Cost | $6,293 | $4,638 | $16,193 |
| Total Cost | $10,171 | $7,729 | $21.533 |