The Flight Academy of Langa Air Becomes One of Only Three Flight Schools in the State Approved for GI Benefits 

 Date:                February 26, 2002

 Veterans who are entitled to GI Bill benefits are now eligible to utilize those benefits in selected courses offered by The Flight Academy of Langa Air based at St. Louis Regional Airport.  The courses that have been approved include the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Commercial courses.  The GI Bill is a federal program available to Illinois and non-Illinois residing veterans.

 “It was a very tedious process that took us almost a year to accomplish”, said Lisa Stassi, the Flight School Manager, “but it is well worth it.”  The Flight Academy of Langa Air becomes one of only three flight schools in the entire state of Illinois approved for GI benefits.  “Within the next three months, we intend to have additional courses approved for GI benefits including a multi-engine course, a certified flight instructor course, and a multi-engine time building course,” added Stassi.

 Through this program, veterans are eligible for re-imbursement of up to 60% of the costs and fees associated with the approved courses.  Although the Department of Veteran’s Affairs requires students to posses a Private Pilot’s license prior to enrollment, this program will assist veterans in obtaining career oriented technical training.  “Once we get them through their private license, the students will save a substantial amount on their aviation education expense for the advanced ratings,” said Stassi, “and by utilizing one of our other finance options in conjunction with the GI program, students are able train with minimal out of pocket expense.”

 The Flight Academy of Langa Air utilizes finance programs from Sallie Mae Financial and Nellie Mae Financial allowing students to finance 100% of their flight training.  “I believe we were number two in the nation last year as far as the total amount of student financing,” said Scott Langa, president. “It is a great benefit to offer students the ability to finance, since one of the biggest obstacles for most students is not having the adequate funds available to train often.  Typically, the less frequent students train, the longer it takes and the more expensive it becomes.”