Bill Would Fund Pilot Training For Veterans

Although there’s a healthy cohort of ex-military pilots in the pointy ends of numerous U.S. airliners, a Wisconsin senator says there are plenty of veterans of other trades who could earn those epaulets. Democrat Tammy Baldwin, along with Sen. John Hoewven, R-N.D., has reintroduced the American Aviator Act that would offer funding for veterans to train to become airline pilots. Veterans would apparently receive significant funding to put them on their way to the right seat. “Veterans participating in the program will receive flight training necessary to become a commercial pilot and receive other certifications, including to work as a certified flight instructor,” Baldwin said in a news release.

The program would target flight schools that have programs designed to groom ab initio students for airline jobs and they’d get grants to provide the training, including remedial training as required. “This legislation increases opportunities for veterans looking to pursue flight training and careers as commercial airline pilots. We have a real need for qualified pilots and if we make the training more available to veterans we can provide them with a good paying job.”