TAFE offers student loans to 'meet demand' of pilot shortage.

[Rattlegun]

TAFE Queensland North and TAFE Brisbane are offering $75,000 VET Student Loans for students enrolled in a Diploma of Aviation through Townsville Helicopters and Airwork Helicopters respectively.

I'm not sure what the differences are between a 'Diploma of Aviation' and a CPL(H).

The TAFE Queensland North webpage and the associated advertising campaign both cite a 'demand for pilots'.

I was unable to find any student loan assistance for further training or qualifications beyond the 'Diploma of Aviation' / CPL(H) (eg Mustering or Ag ratings, etc)

There are also similar programs for Fixed Wing students.

[mdav]

What demand?

[mdav]

What shortage?

[godfather007]

Shortage and demand of jobs maybe...

[FerrariFlyer]

There is a shortage of fixed-wing pilots for sure but rotary pilots...unless there is some unknown impending shortage I'd be somewhat cautious calling a shortage for the helicopter industry at this point in time.

Unless, of course, its those pesky Vietnam vets who are finally threatening to retire

[spcrewie]

FF, those vets will be going any minute now

[Yankee]

Anyone know of any helicopter schools down there that are approved for the U.S Montgomery G.I bill?
I know this is a long shot but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I thought maybe Beckers or Kestrel.

[FerrariFlyer]

Anyone know of any helicopter schools down there that are approved for the U.S Montgomery G.I bill?
I know this is a long shot but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I thought maybe Beckers or Kestrel.

Had to look this one up to see what you meant Yankee:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Bill

I'm doubting if any schools here in Oz are set-up for this, much less would any of them have heard of this scheme.

[Yankee]

Thanks FF,

Yes, I have a lot of money available for flight training. But Schools have to be approved. I know that there are some universities in Australia that are approved.

Here's the details:
Chapter 33 (Post-9/11)Edit

Main article: Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008

Congress, in the summer of 2008, approved an expansion of benefits beyond the current G.I. Bill program for military veterans serving since September 11, 2001. Beginning in August 2009, recipients became eligible for greatly expanded benefits, or the full cost of any public college in their state. The new bill also provides a housing allowance and $1,000 a year stipend for books, among other benefits.

The VA announced in September 2008 that it would manage the new benefit itself instead of hiring an outside contractor after protests by veteran's organizations and the American Federation of Government Employees.