EAA Supports Veterans in Flight Training

Last week, EAA, along with 12 other associations representing multiple segments of aviation, supported our country’s veterans and their ability to seek careers in aviation by expressing “strong opposition” to H.R. 7323, the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2024. As introduced, the bill would impose, beginning in the academic year 2025-2026, a lifetime cap of $115,749 on benefits used to pursue flight training. While this amount increases from the initially proposed $108,480 cap, the associations highlight that “it still represents a substantial limitation on the funds veterans can access for flight training.” 

According to the associations, this cap would disproportionately harm veterans seeking careers in aviation as it singles out those pursuing such careers, imposing funding caps that are not applied to other degree programs. The letter goes on to state that the “…high cost of civilian flight training programs, due to their complexity and specialized nature, cannot be adequately covered under these restrictions. As a result, veterans would likely be forced to either abandon their flight training or take on significant personal debt to cover the shortfall.”

The letter cosigners reiterated their commitment to working with Congress. Along with EAA, associations cosigning the letter include the Air Medical Operators Association, Airborne Public Safety Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Airlines for America, American Association of Airport Executives, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, National Air Carrier Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Association of State Aviation Officials, National Business Aviation Association, Regional Airline Association, and Vertical Aviation International.