JamesAA

For all you career pilots: if you had the choice to either keep your job as a pilot, or have a "day job" that pays well---not superstar great, but enough that you could afford your own 6-8 seater twin engine (prop) and just fly on your own time, wherever you like, which would you choose?

(I ask because I'm trying to get a sense of what aviation would be like as a career. I already know I LOVE flying recreationally). But I get to choose where I fly, when I fly, etc. So I'm not sure if doing it "as a job" would drastically change things Would love some opinions).

Thanks in advance

Yoda2

First of all... Do you truly understand the actual/real costs associated with owning and properly operating that high performance twin? If so and you can meet or exceed your financial requirements and obligations in all other areas; why would you want a flying job? You do not need to be paid to conduct your flight operations in a professional and safe manner. If you are not satisfied with the answers you receive here, you can always take some sort of flying job and see what it's like first hand.

BoilerUP

I'm gonna guess "no".

In my previous job, I budgeted $250/hr for a 7 year old Cirrus SR22 in direct operating cost, which included fuel/oil and an allowance for engine/prop overhaul, other parts and labor.

Then add debt service into the mix, which obviously varies depending on total borrowed, length of loan and interest rate.

Finally, fixed expenses (hangar, insurance, databases, cleaning, etc) were above that and amortized on our annual projected utilization. The higher the utilization, the lower the per-hour fixed expense number is.

That all came to a nice round hourly number total...which could easily be blown out of the water by an unexpected maintenance need, say a blown cylinder. If you needed an engine completely rebuilt, you're looking at possibly $30k or more after labor.

And that's on a fairly new airframe! When you start looking at cabin class aircraft, maintenance costs go WAY up as they are older and more complex...and when you consider a twin, you've got double the financial exposure in engines, props and fuel.

In my opinion, flying "for fun" involves something with a tailwheel or a basic four-place airplane where you can take your spouse and two kids on a pleasure flight or short trip. Flying for transportation no longer makes it "fun" and institutes new expenses a couple orders of magnitude higher than the $200 hamburger.

JamesAA

I just prefer if people answer the question directly, w/out asking further questions. It works better that way, really. I am sure the costs of operating such an aircraft are quite steep. But the fact remains, many "day jobbers" with decent jobs (short of CEOs, top 1%ers, etc) own or fly twin-engine props. Doesn't have to be a King Air. Furthermore you can time share, partner with a friend (or friends), etc. It's not like I suggested having a day job and taking joy rides in your very own G4.

BoilerUP

But that's not exactly what you asked.

I would surmise that most professional pilots would loathe a "regular" job, and would find sitting at a desk or cube to be an employment version of waterboarding.

While it is an unwritten prerequisite to be a competent complainer as a professional pilot, I would guess 99% of folks who loudly profess to hate the job can't imagine doing anything else, and therefore don't put their money and employment where their mouth is. As such, it must not be THAT bad, right?

Yes, I still enjoy flying and the moment I don't enjoy seeing distance lightning at night or climbing on top of a cloud layer into clear skies, it'll be time for me to go do something else.

Yoda2

I fly professionally part time. At this point in my life and primarily due to QOL issues, it's no longer worth the daily grind. How's that?

JamesAA

Better!

Thanks

JamesAA

I would venture to guess the same. And I'm cut from the same cloth.

Well said!

Yoda2

To be more clearer for you; I have a great job with a great employer. The company has many interests, some aviation related though most not. We have a relatively small flight department. My position involves a nice combination of desk job, some minor hands on with various activities and just enough flying to get my fix. I also sleep in my own bed most nights. I also have privileges with a company plane for personal use when desired and available (I do pay for fuel) I will likely not leave this job until I am dead.

Learjet FO

Even as a pro, if I won the powerball jackpot tomorrow, I wouldn't seriously consider flying my family and friends around in anything more complex than a Caravan. A twin, high perf single turboprop and especially a jet is a full time commitment IMHO. I already have that. It's safe because I fly more days than not and with a type rated captain and am held to part 135 standards on every flight.
Get a Cessna 206 or Cherokee 6 and avoid low IFR and you'll be fine. Spend less money and fly for fun more than proficiency. Throttle back and enjoy the view. It's just for fun, right?