Memphis Standard

WASHINGTON, DC –On April 26, Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Ranking Member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, joined fellow Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members Reps. Colin Allred (D-TX-32) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05) in introducing the Flight Education Access Act. The new bipartisan bill would increase the limit for individuals taking out student loans to pay for flight training, and works to increase diversity within pilot training programs. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) are leading the bill in the U.S. Senate. 

Airline pilots are required to complete Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-regulated training, which typically costs approximately $80,000 in tuition and fees associated with the four-year degree, according to the University Aviation Association. Current federal loan limits do not accommodate the full cost ofpilot training, limiting access for students who cannot afford to pay out of pocket or take on high-cost private loan debt.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill that addresses the need to grow our qualified aviation workforce, particularly in cities like Memphis,” said Congressman Cohen. “From tourism to increased cargo shipments, our local economy has come roaring back, and that’s contributing to strong demand for a growing qualified aviation workforce. Currently, Black Americans represent only 3.4% of professional pilots—a huge missed opportunity for a workforce in real need of energizing, especially when you consider all of the untapped talent we have throughout our region’s high schools, HBCU’s, and elsewhere. Our new bill would help capitalize on that opportunity, not only by expanding federal student loan limits for flight education, but also by fostering industry partnerships and scholarships targeted at underrepresented backgrounds. The Flight Education Access Act will help support our growing economy while expanding opportunity and building a more inclusive aviation industry, and I’m proud to support it.”

“Our aviation industry and the pilots who make it all possible need help getting access to the training to get into the industry,” said Congressman Allred. “This bill is an important step to improve access to student loans for pilot training, and we will continue to take action to increase the workforce pipeline for all kinds of folks to become pilots. I hope we can pass this bill and keep working so that young folks who dream of becoming a pilot can get the skills and training they need to do just that.” 

“Long delays and cancellations have become all too common in airports across the country, and part of the reason is due to a shortage of pilots. Our commonsense proposal would help close the gap by creating outreach programs and giving prospective pilots the same loan opportunities granted to students at traditional four-year schools. I’m hopeful that we can get this bipartisan legislation across the finish line to attract more pilots and improve air travel for Oregonians and all Americans,” Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer said.

Rep. Cohen serves as the top Democrat on the House Aviation Subcommittee, and last week he spoke about the need to grow and diversify America’s qualified aviation workforce—specifically by recruiting untapped talent throughout Memphis and the region. Click here to watch.

The Flight Education Access Act is supported by the Regional Airline Association (RAA), Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Airlines for America (A4A), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA), National Air Carrier Association (NACA), University Aviation Association (UAA) and the National Business Aviation Association.   

The Flight Education Access Act:

• Increases the total maximum amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans an eligible dependent may borrow to $111,000. It also increases the maximum amount for independent students to $137,500. It also increases the maximum amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans to a total of $65,000. 
• Requires the GAO to report on the bill’s implementation, the number of flight education and training programs and enrolled students, and demographic data on students’ participation in the loan program.
• Authorizes a grant program to increase diversity in the pilot workforce pipeline through partnerships between industry and educational institutions. This includes scholarship programs, outreach and development programs and startup grants for higher education institutions to create aviation programs, targeting students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds.