Flying helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft as a civilian for the first time? Leading Edge Flight School in Bend, Oregon, has everything you need to use your military pilot’s training professionally! 

Our rotor-transition program is renowned in the Pacific Northwest for helping veterans use their benefits toward pilot school, and we’re proud of that. Today, we’re covering two types of funding (also called chapter designations) most veteran pilots qualify for to use at Leading Edge Flight Academy. 

Use Your Chapter 33 Benefits With Central Oregon Community College for Flight School 

Buckle your seat belts; we’re headed for the clouds! But before you get in the left seat, here’s what you’ll need to know about your Post-911 Chapter 33 G.I. benefits. 

For veterans with full Chapter 33 qualifications, the most optimal route to apply to flight school is through the aviation program at Central Oregon Community College (COCC). 

Doing so may allow veterans to comp the costs of their flight training and course minimums but also pays for tuition for an Associate’s Degree in professional aviation. Sounds great? There’s more. Veterans who chose this route get a quarterly stipend for books. This grants them access to the basic allowance for housing. 

Our Best Advice to Veterans? Avoid Overloading Your Term Schedule

Veterans who choose to use their Chapter 33 GI Bill® benefits should also know how to be eligible for any amount of these benefits while enrolled. They must maintain at least six credits each term and attend at least one general education class until all required classes are completed.

While we understand that some students may want to get through the program on time, overloading themselves beyond full-time credits has no advantage in earning them more benefits. So, it is in their best interest to pace themselves in the program without overloading their term schedules. Remember, flight school is a marathon, not a race! For more information on the COCC program, you can email vetsed@cocc.edu to get connected.

For Chapter 33 Eligible Veterans Who Don’t Go the COCC Route, Apply Directly to Leading Edge

If veterans choose to forgo an aviation degree through COCC, they can apply for flight training directly through our flight academy. This doesn’t mean they will lose their benefits, either. Veterans with Chapter 33 GI Bill® qualifications are typically eligible for up to $14,881.59 annually to pay for flight training. The best part is they can also use this amount to help cover these ratings/certificates: 

• Instrument Ratings
• Commercial Ratings
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
• Certified Flight Instructor- Instrument (CFII)
• Add-On Ratings
• Multi-Engine Training
• Night Vision Goggle Training
• Turbine Transition Program
• Mountain Training

This route, however, will not pay for any part of a veteran’s private pilot’s certificate.

For Partial Benefits, Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® Provides Options

Now, on to partial benefits. These are called the Montgomery GI Bill® or Chapter 30 Benefits for those on active duty. Veterans with Chapter 30 benefits who possess a degree or have existing pilot ratings may find the best option is to apply directly through Leading Edge. 

 Need help funding additional ratings you want or need through this bill or want to pursue airplane-to-rotor (or vice versa) transition training? Veterans who choose the rotor transition program should know that doing so requires at least a Private Pilot Certificate before entering the program. Also, any pilots looking to instruct at Leading Edge after graduation must have at least one year of progress towards an Associate’s Degree with intent to finish (or a completed college degree in any field).

For Chapter 1606 Benefits, Reservists Can Participate, Too! 

Chapter 1606 benefits are for active members of the Selected Reserve. Selected Reserve components include the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. You are eligible for Chapter 1606 benefits if you entered a six-year service obligation, remain in good standing with your reserve unit, have completed your IADT (Initial Active Duty for Training), and have a high school degree or equivalency. 

A Flight School That Helps Veterans Become Pilots

Taking valuable military training and transforming it into a civilian career is what we help veterans do at Leading Edge Flight Academy. We are proud to serve our veterans for the countless ways they’ve served our nation. That means we will permit any eligible veteran who meets the enrollment requirements to attend any of our programs. 

We understand the unique challenges veterans face with getting funding disbursements from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This means we will not impose any penalties on students who experience delays. We work with you to succeed! 

Browse our veterans page for a more detailed assessment of each chapter designation’s eligibility requirements.