Airline Pilot Central Forums - Physician to airline pilot

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Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotdds (Post 2453185)

Who said anything about giving up my career? I said I wanted to bring on a partner to free up some time to persue aviation .

Also, would not persue the airlines due to schedule.

I don’t want to hijack this thread but thought I would weigh in as another health care professional that has “made it” but still can’t kick the aviation bug.

I wanted to be a pilot my entire life, got my PPL in college and ultimately decided against it Because i finished school in 2006 and the industry was in shambles. I had a biochemistry degree and decided on dentistry. Fast forward 11 years and I have a successful private practice, but can’t picture doing this for the next 30 years. Yes the money is amazing. So is the schedule. 4 days week & 400k year. But bouncing around from room to room, bending over all day, dealing with people who “would rather be anywhere else but here”, jabbing patients with needles.... TAKES A TOLL.

does that help you understand where I’m coming from?

No disrespect to you but when I read this post I wanted to vomit. This sounds more like a mid-life crisis. "Bouncing around, bending over, dealing with people?" What do you think you're going to be doing as a charter/corporate pilot? BOHICA! Lot's of bending over.

In all seriousness, read the posts by the other guys besides me. We are all in disbelief. I wish you all the best.

PilotDDS, i would think that you and the OP would be best served just flying on the side. Buy a plane, get some licenses and ratings and go from there. Your dental practice will serve you well over the years and will guarantee you a strong and financially secure future that aviation will likely never match.

If I were in their shoes, I'd be content with status quo. Becoming a doctor or dentist requires a lot of hard work and now would be the time for them to enjoy the fruits of their labor instead of trying to become airline pilots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigapplepilot (Post 2448658)

Flying Magazine? Dick Karl? Flies for JetSuite I believe. I also believe it's 135 ops.

Yes! That's it! Ok I was a little off, JS is all 135 like you said, not 91.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadstick35 (Post 2448982)

Dr Mrs Deadstick35 said “is that person nuts?!”

Here’s the thing about getting time instructing on the side. Do you have a retirement funded? A nest egg? A nice house? In today’s society of lawsuits being filed at the drop of a hat, if your student has an accident and that student’s lawyer hears you’re also a radiologist — game over. They see deep pockets and fountain of cash coming their way.

Some truth to what you're saying, but an umbrella insurance policy(above and beyond the flying club policy)would protect him from that, and he could afford it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilatus801 (Post 2453685)

Thank you for a mature response. Much appreciated!

For the others.. To clarify what I thought I made clear in an earlier post. I'm not looking to give up my practice to pursue an airline career. I'm looking to bring on an associate or partner, cut my hours and wanted to see what options exist for part-time flying. Cargo, charter, etc.?

Dentistry is a hard gig - physically and mentally. Not for sissies. For those that think otherwise... dental schools are still accepting applications.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotdds (Post 2449954)

Wow, 33 year old dentist here. Own my own practice. Considering bringing on a partner to free up time to persue a career in aviation. Looking forward to seeing where this thread goes..

Just sent you a PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geosync (Post 2453742)

Some truth to what you're saying, but an umbrella insurance policy(above and beyond the flying club policy)would protect him from that, and he could afford it.

The umbrella policies (the ones I’ve looked at) specifically exclude claims associated with the policy holders’ professions.

Earn a good living and do the flying as a part-time or side gig:

Buy a plane.
Flight instruct.
Do aerial photography.
Fly charters.
Fly a float plane.
Go fly in Alaska for the summer or the Keys/Caribbean for the winter.

You could do all of this as a side gig to your “earning” career, especially if your work is portable and flexible.

The airline stuff is too rigid for the kinds of stuff that your current career will allow.

Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadstick35 (Post 2454059)

The umbrella policies (the ones I’ve looked at) specifically exclude claims associated with the policy holders’ professions.

Yes, it will be very hard to get a suitable umbrella policy for flight instructing. Each passenger is worth at least $2M, so you'd at least $8M assuming students only operate C-172 class planes. Plus whatever damage happens on the ground.

Since there is a very tiny market for such policies, there is no solid acturial data, so underwriters will charge very high premiums or more likely decline to cover.

Underwriters are precise business people, not vegas high-rollers.