Commercial certificate from military flying: 14 CFR 61.73
Under 14 CFR 61.73, a military pilot can apply for an FAA commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, and for category, class and type ratings, based on military pilot qualifications. [1] The rule excludes anyone removed from flying status for lack of proficiency or for disciplinary reasons involving aircraft operations. [1]
You must pass the FAA's military competency knowledge test. [1] The FAA's Military Competence ACS describes it as a 50-question test on commercial privileges and limitations, air traffic and general operating rules, and accident reporting. [2] The FAA's IACRA guide says the minimum passing score is 70. [3] For a rating you also need either a military pilot-in-command or instrument proficiency check in that category, class or type, or at least 10 hours as a military pilot in it. [1]
Flight training with the GI Bill
The VA says flight training can be paid for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty and the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve. [4] Per the VA, you generally need a private pilot certificate before you start, an FAA medical (second-class, or first-class for an ATP), and the training must be at a Part 141 pilot school or Part 142 training center in a program approved for VA benefits. [4] The VA says the Montgomery GI Bill pays back 60% of approved fees, the Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to a cap, and Survivors' and Dependents' Assistance can't be used at pilot schools. [4] Check whether a school's program is approved in the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool. [5] BlockTime has not checked VA approval for any school on this site.
Military pilot programs
5 programs that the airline or school publishes on its own site, checked 2026-10-22.
| Program | Type | Who it is for | What the organization says it offers | Published figures | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines Destination 225° Military Pathway Applications closed on the date checked; interest list open Site mentions SkillBridge and GI Bill use. | Airline pathway | Current or former U.S. military pilots with some fixed-wing turbine time | Flight time and ATP through SkyWarrior; eligible to bypass the standard pilot interview | not published on the pages we read | Source ↗ · checked Oct 2026 Report wrong info |
| SkyWarrior: Destination 225° Military Pathway training | Flight school (airline partner) | Military fixed-wing and rotorcraft pilots in the Southwest pathway | Sub-programs for military fixed-wing, Navy/Marine/Coast Guard/Air Force rotorcraft and Army rotorcraft pilots | not published on the pages we read | Source ↗ · checked Oct 2026 Report wrong info |
| Piedmont Airlines Military Pilots Transition Program | Airline pathway | Military pilots, including helicopter pilots, short of FAA airline hour requirements | Matches pilots with flight schools to fill gaps (fixed-wing hours, multi-engine); training location Trenton, NJ; site describes a path to American Airlines | not published on the pages we read | Source ↗ · checked Oct 2026 Report wrong info |
| SkyWest Airlines Rotor Transition Program Read with a web fetch (automated reads blocked). | Airline pathway | Rotor pilots; U.S. military aviators (DD214) for the bonus | Path from rotor flying to a SkyWest first officer job; page lists the fixed-wing time a restricted ATP needs (250 PIC, 100 PIC cross-country, 25 night, 25 multi-engine) and says military sorties are not accepted | $7,500 bonus for U.S. military aviators | Source ↗ · checked Oct 2026 Report wrong info |
| Blue Line Aviation Rotor Transition Program Locations: Smithfield NC and Winter Haven FL. The page shows two different prices. | Helicopter-to-airplane add-on | Military helicopter pilots with commercial or ATP rotor experience | Private airplane add-on (Part 141), instrument airplane add-on and Commercial SEL (Part 61); 2.5 to 3.5 months | $47,500 (pricing box); the FAQ on the same page says $45,000 for the core package | Source ↗ · checked Oct 2026 Report wrong info |
The FAA rule that turns military flying into a commercial certificate, how the GI Bill pays for flight training, and the transition programs airlines and schools publish.
Helicopter pilots: the rotor-transition and add-on programs above add airplane ratings on top of a rotorcraft certificate. Part 141 schools with helicopter and airplane training are in the flight school directory.
Sources
- 14 CFR 61.73 (eCFR)
- FAA: Commercial Pilot – Military Competence ACS
- FAA: IACRA guide for military competency applicants
- VA: Flight training with GI Bill benefits
- VA: GI Bill Comparison Tool
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