Originally Posted by
Sliceback
I've looked at several studies on good feeder/predictors of future success in aviation. None of them mentioned martial arts instructor. That's a great skill but so is carpenter, kitchen designer, drywaller, Amish framer, etc. Flying takes effort, training, and skill, but the studies don't mention hobbies or second jobs that are indicators of future success..
There aren't enough martial arts instructors transitioning to aviation to have any sort of statistically significant sample pool.
Based on my general experience in aviation, military, and martial arts I'd say there's a large Venn diagram overlap with the personality traits. Would be similar for say scuba instructor.
Discipline, diligence, attention to detail, and of course determination to see things through (generally need to rank up quite a bit in MA in order to instruct). More so than say drywall. I know several martial arts instructors who are quite accomplished in professional careers, and just teach MA on the side.
Of course it doesn't guarantee anything, only one way to know for sure.