Many ex military pilots are receiving disability checks and not having disabilities.
It is a scam.
Some of those mentioned could be in that group of cheats.
The cheaters also include the Doctors that sign them onto the program.
I am aware of more than one military pilot who simply did not say anything about an ailment. But what is amazing is none of them ever had a problem which makes me think the medical requirements are too strict.
Just to be sure we have rational input here, the numbers above were 4800 **commercial** pilots found not to have reported VA disability declarations (often generating 0 benefits, some injuries/disabilities are rated 0%, not unusual). So they did not report something to the FAA that they reported to the VA.
1) The sequence of pilot license is Private, Commercial (usually with Instrument rating) and Airline Transport. There are an enormous number of Private and Commercial pilots that don’t drive airliners around the sky.
2) Commercial pilots are cropdusters, pipeline patrol pilots, and the majority . . . the vast majority of non ATP commercial pilots are flight instructors. You could note Fedex and UPS pilots too, not carrying much in the way of passengers, but they likely are ATP rated so they don’t count in that number evaluation.
3) The primary claimed VA injury/disability from military service is tinnitus. Ringing in the ears. It is a 10% rating, max. It will have zero impact on flying airplanes. It likely will affect sleep patterns, but any such that are dangerous would be revealed in the periodic proficiency checks.
4) Only 1/3 of commercial pilots (not ATPs, commercial) are ex military.
5) When you get through understanding all the details, this sensationally presented article becomes clearly insignificant. There will be one of two guys drawing 60% benefits for mental illness of some sort. That’s 2 out of 4800. And as noted the cases are quickly resolved. Likely with the VA informing the FAA the pilot in question is treated adequately and safe, must as they address blood pressure being high with a doc’s assurance of being treated and safe.
This article is needless hype. There is nothing here, and what little there was there has already been addressed.
I had a high school friend who got out of the army in 1991. His Sgt told him how to get disability. He complained of neck pain and faked severe back pain to the examiner. Got 100% disability. Was water skiing 3 weeks later!
I am determined to find someone in America who is not a grifter.
Good point—I laughed when I saw concern about “disability benefits”.
It just means many of the pilots are good liars.