Veterans' Flight-Training Grant Introduced
Proposal would assist in training veterans not already military pilots
In an effort to ease a national pilot shortage, Fox Valley Technical College has given its support to a federal training grant proposal that would help veterans become commercial airline pilots.
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and John Hoeven (R-ND) have reintroduced the American Aviator Act of 2023. It would authorize grant funding through the Federal Aviation Administration to support training opportunities for veterans who are not already military pilots.
Because FVTC’s Aviation program is a well-established pathway to employment with commercial air carriers, the college would be eligible for grants to recruit and enroll veterans for flight training.
“The American Aviator Act provides a promising pathway for veterans to continue to serve our nation in the form of safe, reliable and sustainable air travel,” says Jared Huss, director of Aeronautics at FVTC. “Providing funding to support the development of highly qualified professional pilots is more important than ever, as we see almost daily the warning signs of a strained air travel system.”
Throughout this decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be 18,000 airline and commercial pilot vacancies per year. If approved, the grant money would cover the cost of tuition, training services, books and other training resources for veterans.
In addition to Fox Valley Technical College, the American Aviator Act is supported by the Air Line Pilots Association, Regional Airlines Association and Air Wisconsin.