Originally Posted by
Mhevey1
Looking for some honest feedback on this as, to my knowledge, this has not been done before (maybe for a very good reason). I am an experienced emergency physician in my mid 50's, 400 hours TT/ 80 ME/ all piston (no turbine), and completing my CSEL and CMEL in the next few months. I have been looking at a way to leave clinical medicine and have considered trying to market my physician experience with soon-to-be commercial privileges (albeit, low time) to work as a SIC for a corporation/ flight department with the extra benefit of being a board certified emergency physician. The benefit could be simply being available for consultation to providing executive healthcare evaluations. I am also interested in going through the process to become an FAA AME and could provide those services for the flight department. I think the niche is there but very small and maybe not worth even considering. It might be better suited for the rare high net worth individual out there, but either way it's a long shot. Aside from being a long shot, what am I not seeing?
I flew for a major for 30+ years and knew many doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, etc. who gave up their professions, albeit temporarily in some cases, to pursue a flying career. If you heart is set on flying for a career then take the plunge and go all in! Become a CFI, build time, get your ATP, and get hired by a regional. Once you're actively flying for a regional set your sights on the majors. I could almost guarantee that having an MD on your resume would accelerate your journey into a major! And then once there, you could do a little medicine on the side
Good luck!