Pilot program to provide veterans with pilot training services

(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 establish a program to provide assistance in the form of grants to eligible entities that provide pilot training activities and related education to support a pathway for veterans to become commercial aviators.(b)

Eligible entity

For purposes of this section, the term eligible entity means a pilot school or provisional pilot school that—(1)holds an Air Agency Certificate under part 145 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and(2)has an established employment pathway with at least 1 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 the following criteria:(1)The eligible entity is accredited (as defined in section 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.(2)The eligible entity holds a letter of authorization issued in accordance with section 61.169 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.(d)

Use of funds

Amounts from a grant received by an eligible entity under the pilot program shall be used for the following:(1)Administrative costs related to implementation of the program, not to exceed 10 percent of the amount awarded.(2)To provide guidance and pilot training services, including tuition and flight training fees for veterans enrolled with the eligible entity and any training required to reach proficiency, to the veterans enrolled to support them in obtaining any of the following pilot 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 books, training materials, and equipment to support pilot training activities and related education for veterans enrolled with the eligible entity.(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).(e)

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 or commercial pilot license, may be borne by the eligible entity concerned using grant amounts awarded to the eligible entity for purposes of the pilot program.(f)

Appropriations

To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2029.