Pilot program to provide flight training services to veterans

(a)

In general

The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (in this section referred to as the Administrator), in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall enter into agreements with flight schools to provide assistance in the form of grants to eligible entities to provide flight training services to veterans.(b)

Eligible entity

For purposes of this section, the term eligible entity means a pilot school that—(1)holds a training certificate under part 141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and(2)has an established employment pathway with at least one commercial air carrier operating under part 121 or 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.(c)

Priority application

In selecting eligible entities to award grants to under this section, the Administrator shall give priority to eligible entities that meet either of the following:(1)The entity is accredited by the Department of Education.(2)The entity holds a restricted airline transport pilot (R–ATP) letter of authorization, as specified under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.(d)

Considerations in selection

In selecting eligible entities to award grants to under this section, the Administrator shall consider the following:(1)The eligible entity's pass rate for students, as measured by part 141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.(2)The total estimated cost per veteran to complete the eligible entity's program.(3)The anticipated time from start of training under the eligible entity's program to employment.(4)The eligible entity's graduate placement percentage.(5)The eligible entity's use of advance technology and simulation.(e)

Use of funds

Amounts from a grant received by an eligible entity under the pilot program shall be used for the following:(1)To case manage and support veterans for flight training services.(2)To provide guidance and flight training services to the veterans enrolled, including additional training required to reach proficiency, for the following certificates and ratings:(A)Private pilot certificate.(B)Instrument rating.(C)Commercial pilot certificate.(D)Multi-engine rating.(E)Certificated flight instructor single engine certificate, if applicable to degree sought.(F)Certificated flight instructor multi-engine certificate, if applicable to degree sought.(G)Certificated flight instructor instrument certificate, if applicable to degree sought.(3)To provide applicable program tuition, books, training materials, and equipment.(4)To provide periodic reports to the Administrator on use of the grant funds, including documentation of training completion of the certificates and ratings described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (2).(f)

Coordination with veterans education benefits

In the event a veteran participates in the pilot program who is entitled to educational assistance for veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs—(1)any costs of the veteran in participation in the pilot program that are covered by such educational assistance shall be borne by the veteran using such educational assistance; and(2)any costs incurred by the veteran in participation in the pilot program that are not covered by such educational assistance, including the cost of a private pilot license, may be borne by the eligible entity concerned using grant amounts awarded to the eligible entity for purposes of the pilot program.(g)

Appropriations

To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2028.