Yeah, my selected school seems to think it's still alive, too. I'll recount my experience in this thread since there doesn't seem to be anything else current here.
My situation: Separated non-current helo pilot (last tour was non-flying). I have Commercial Pilot, ASEL, Rotorcraft Helicopter, and Instrument Helicopter certificates. I want to use my post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to get some extra certificates. I already have a thermometer's worth of degrees, so I'm not gonna use them there. Not planning on passing to children, either, for like 6 reasons. Going to work with a part 141 school and have VA pay up to annual max of approx $12.5k.
Goals: 1. Instrument Airplane (so I have Airplane commercial privs) 2. CFI 3. CFII 4 (care less about this). ME / MEI
Could make some hours or $ on the side either instructing or flying friends w/ $ around (easy to find them here in the Bay Area).
Timeframe: Wifey says I have until mid-August to play pilot again. Then some things at home are a-changin' and I won't have time to do much of anything focused. I'm gonna be doing this on weekends mostly, maybe w/ a night flight thrown in on the weekdays.
Steps taken:
- Called local Part 141 school. They exist (website was garbage, but whatever), and rentals aren't terribly expensive. Lots of Cessnas with steam gauges. I'll survive. They said they'd have Chief Pilot call me about my goals. Recommended an AME, said get movin' on the VA app.
- Went to VA (www.vets.gov). Filled out form 22-1990. Used my transcripts and DD-214 a lot. Easy. Did have to say I wouldn't use the MGIB. I'm interested if anyone thinks that was dumb.
- Need a class 2 medical to get started (VA rules). My flight physical's out of date (only counts for 3rd class anyway if it was current). Went to medxpress.faa.gov. Made a new login, filled out form, got number.
- Called local AME (you can use an FAA directory to find a local one). Need to schedule appt for Class 2.