# Plain Language Summary: Wings for Veterans Act

This bill creates a temporary training program to help military veterans become commercial pilots. The Department of Transportation will give grants of up to $500,000 each to a maximum of ten flight schools across the country. These schools will use the money to provide flight training to veterans at little or no cost, covering everything from basic pilot certification all the way up to advanced ratings that commercial airlines require. The program will also pay for textbooks, equipment, and other materials veterans need to complete their training.

To qualify for this program, veterans must have received an honorable discharge from the military, pass a basic medical exam to ensure they're physically capable of flying, and commit to pursuing a career as a commercial pilot. The flight schools receiving grants will be responsible for finding interested veterans, verifying they meet these requirements, and enrolling them in appropriate training programs. The schools can use up to 10 percent of their grant money for administrative costs like paperwork and record-keeping.

The program is designed as a test run that will last 18 months from when it's established. During this time, the participating flight schools will track how many veterans complete their training and earn their certifications. After the program ends, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Veterans Affairs must report back to Congress with detailed findings about what worked, what didn't, and recommendations for potentially expanding pilot training opportunities for veterans in the future. The report will also examine ways to make commercial pilot training more affordable and accessible to veterans through better coordination with airlines and improved access to federal student loans.

Wings for Veterans Act

Wings for Veterans ActThis bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a pilot program to award grants to up to 10 flight schools to provide flight training for eligible veterans. Under the bill, an&nbsp;eligible veteran&nbsp;includes an individual who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service and who was honorably discharged, meets the requirements to obtain at least a second class medical certificate, and certifies an intent to pursue a career as a commercial pilot.Flight schools may use grants for (1) the provision of guidance and pilot training services (including tuition and flight training fees); (2) the provision of related books, training materials, and equipment; and (3) program administrative costs.DOT must submit a report to Congress on the program and related issues.&nbsp;