Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/19/2009

Question
I'd like to become a commercial pilot one day and I'm planning on starting flying lessons sometime this year or next year. I'm thinking about moving to Indiana and would like to know what would be good flight schools to attend there and also if there are any scholarships to assist with the costs. I'm currently active duty in the Air Force if that opens up more options for you.

Answer
Scott,

Thanks for your questions, I will try to assist!

First of all, to track down a flight school in Indiana, you might want to check this website for more information:

http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/ready/choose/search.htm

This website will let you search for as flight school within so many miles of a particular zip code.....

Second, there are some excellent collegiate aviation flight programs in Indiana and nearby states that would also except VA benefits from you as a veteran.  These would include Indiana schools like Indiana State University in Terre Haute and Purdue University in West Lafayette; Illinois schools like University  of Illinois and Southern Illinois University Carbondale; and, Ohio schools like Ohio University, Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University.

As far as scholarships, there are two good websites to consult:

The website of the University Aviation Association at www.uaa.aero which has a scholarship link on the left-hand side of its main page; and,

www.avscholars.com which is a good website for providing overall aviation-related financial aid advice as well as a listing of aviation scholarships.

I wish you the best of luck in your aviation career plans,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu