U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reintroduced this week the American Aviator Act, which seeks grants for the extension of commercial flight training services for veterans.
The legislation, which specifically seeks Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants, would help expand flight training services for veterans who want to become commercial airline pilots. The senators also noted the potential this would provide to fill gaps in rural air service.
“The American Aviator Act is all about providing a great career opportunity to our veterans while also addressing the nation’s pilot shortage,” Hoeven said. “North Dakotans serve at a higher rate than other state’s residents. Considering our state is also home to a world-class flight training school at UND, it only makes sense to create an affordable pathway for our veterans to train as commercial airline pilots. Our legislation would create a program under the FAA to do just that.”
The grants would be doled out through flight-training schools with established pathways to commercial air employment, such as the University of North Dakota. Those grants would help them to recruit and enroll veterans for flight training, as well as to provide guidance and in-flight services, and costs not included by GI Bill benefits.
“America’s veterans have bravely served our nation, and we have a shared responsibility to make sure their service and sacrifice is honored,” Baldwin said. “Our veterans have also earned every opportunity to be productive and successful after completing their military service. This legislation increases opportunities for veterans looking to pursue flight training and careers as commercial airline pilots. We have a real need for qualified pilots, and if we make the training more available to veterans, we can provide them with a good-paying job.”
In this effort, Baldwin and Hoeven are supported by the Air Line Pilots Association and the Regional Airline Association.