Can I Use My GI Bill for Helicopter Flight Training?

Hi Tim, You can use your GI Bill for helicopter flight training, but which GI Bill you plan on using will determine how you go about it.  If you have the Post 9/11 GI Bill, then you will need to find an institution of higher learning that offers helicopter flight training as part of their curriculum.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill can only be used at a degree awarding school, which the VA calls an institution of higher learning.  The program you take there doesn’t have to award a degree, but the school you are attending has to have the ability to award a degree.  For example, lets say that you find an aeronautical school that awards a degree in aeronautical engineering and has helicopter flight training in its program, then you should be set as far as your Post 9/11 GI Bill is concerned.  You can check for VA approved schools and programs at this VA webpage.

If you are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill, it is a little easier to use for helicopter flight training.  All you need to qualify to use your Montgomery GI Bill benefits for flight training is a private pilot’s certificate and the medical clearance to achieve the rating you are seeking. If you have both of those, you should be able to use your MGIB benefits for helicopter flight school.