Grom1234

Class 1 medical is now waiting on the FAA to complete a special issuance. Being a crew chief on C130s I got to know a few FE's pretty well. Still talk to them to this day. I think I would like the job, FE and as a pilot. I liked the trips and flying. I'm just waiting on a waiver and I should be able to transition to the FE slot. I'm looking forward to it. Well, I hope I follow the other FE's you mentioned and rock training. I thought it could give me a good foundation for becoming a pilot.

Rama

I started as an A&P, went on to become an FE and later pilot for the freight outfit I worked for. Now at a legacy and appreciate my career.
A number of FE's went through the same route and are now flying in the front.
Check the ATP requirements, the FE time used to count towards the ATP on a one for three basis up to 500 hours. Not sure if it still works that way.
As far as timing the industry-you never know until after the fact.
Right now the hiring for pilots is the best I've ever seen.

Grom1234

Looks like the FE time will help me with hours. 1 for 3 up to 500.

14 CFR 61.159
(c) A commercial pilot may credit the following second-in-command flight time or flight-engineer flight time toward the 1,500 hours of total time as a pilot required by paragraph (a) of this section:

(3) Flight-engineer time, provided the flight time -
(i) Is acquired as a U.S. Armed Forces' flight engineer crewmember in an airplane that requires a flight engineer crewmember by the flight manual;
(ii) Is acquired while the person is participating in a flight engineer crewmember training program for the U.S. Armed Forces; and
(iii) Does not exceed 1 hour for each 3 hours of flight engineer flight time for a total credited time of no more than 500 hours.

Pull and Rotate

I made the change when I was in my 30's. Was in law enforcement for years and was getting burned out. If you're working four 10 hour shifts, go to your local FBO and start working on your private. Flying is fun, but learning to fly can be initially frustrating. Hence the high percentage of students who start training who never finish. After you get your PPL you will know if you are truly "bitten" by the aviation bug or not. Then make your decision as to whether or not you want to jump in with both feet.

I'm not trying to discourage you, I don't regret making the change for a minute. But you have to be sure you REALLY want to do the work necessary to become a pilot. I've seen many people who thought that was what they wanted only to tap out during training because it wasn't what they thought it would be.

Bhounddog

I think getting your private before going all in is great advice.

I’ve considered (and am still somewhat considering) a career change. It sounds like I’m somewhat similar to the original poster: In 30s, parent of young son, always wanted to be a pilot, have a decent job, and I have a relatively supportive wife with a good job.

I asked a number of career change questions on the forum in the past year. The OP may want to read the past threads I’ve started since the answers may be relevant.

I’m working on my PPL now. I started with ground school. It’s useful pursuing tedious classroom work since I already know I like flying around in Cesenas.

Could I become CFI in 1-1.5 years and get on track to building 1,500 hours? Theoretically, yes. But while pursuing my private and seeing what it really takes to learn to fly, I’ve realized becoming a CFI quickly will require 100% immersion that I am not willing to devote. I need to keep my job and continue parental responsibilities, and don’t see how I could become a CFI quickly while maintaining any sort of life outside of flying.

Also, while pursuing my private, I found it impressive how knowledgeable and experienced many CFIs are. If I became a CFI I would want to do a great job and not just be a guy trying to build hours as fast as possible.

I think flight training one step at a time is a great way to go. I’m working on my PPL now and I may consider an instrument rating and then CFI later. But, I may just stick with a private and make flying a hobby.

Have fun figuring it all out for yourself. I'd strongly consider a pay as you go path until you're sure you want to go all in.

Grom1234

The way I am looking at flight school, the 1st semester is basically some ground school and private pilot. After that semester I should know if it's for me or not. I am really convinced that is. My back up plan would be to alter course and finish my Bachelor's degree if I found it wasn't for me.

From what I see your situation sounds very similar to mine.

I will look up your previous posts and see what's in there. I have to admit there is a ton of information I have gone though on this forum, but my thought was to ask some questions over again since it seems the industry is going through a change right now.

The difference I see between us, I am willing to go 100% all in and devote all my time to flying. As a family we live below our means and are good savers and I think we will be ok in the future even if I have to take loans initially.

I think for me the all in approach to flight training to get into the mix asap may be the best for me. It seems now is the time to try to get into flying and make some moves. I don't want to procrastinate and miss out.