Aviation Groups Fight VA Benefits Change

Five aviation groups have submitted a letter (PDF) to the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs asking it to amend legislation that would cap benefits for veterans who take flight training. Under the bill, which is similar to one being taken up the House, veterans taking flying training would be limited to about $20,000 in annual benefits, the same as those taking degree programs at private colleges and universities. The bills were introduced in response to reports that some flight schools contracting to the colleges and universities were collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in VA benefit money through their training programs. Helicopter Association International has led the backlash against the new rules and it has been joined by EAA, NBAA, AOPA, GAMA and the National Association of State Aviation in the fight. HAI President Matt Zuccaro said the new rules are discriminatory and hurt veterans.

"This is, first and foremost, about giving veterans what was promised to them when they joined the military," said Zuccaro. "The legislation will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the aviation industry as well. But our primary focus is on doing what's right for our vets." He said rather than imposing a punitive regime on all flight training, the emphasis should be on weeding out the abuse and enforcing the existing rules properly. "Let's identify the real problem with the program and ensure that the VA gives flight training programs uniform interpretations of the rules, and that ongoing audits are performed to prevent any abuses of the system," Zuccaro said.