Flight training in your 40's
07-21-2018 | 07:26 PM
#11
In a land of unicorns
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7,052
Likes: 70
From: Whale FO
This +100. I've got a few buddies who have their FFL's. The only reason why I don't have mine is because I'm a pilot, and just like you say - they will nail your a** if you do even an honest mistake, and that's your pilot career done right there.
07-24-2018 | 05:40 AM
#12
Thread Starter
New Hire
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5
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The hardest part of flying is paying for it.
There's no reason to take a year off work to do pilot certification and ratings. You can do that easily enough while working full time. Evenings and weekends can make it work out.
The income at the entry level stages is difficult, especially with a family. Many of us have done it, worked through low income while dealing with all the rest, and for a lot of us, it's a challenge. It's easier, financially, if your wife works. Mine didn't. There's no simple solution to your question. Everyone's situation is different.
There's no reason to take a year off work to do pilot certification and ratings. You can do that easily enough while working full time. Evenings and weekends can make it work out.
The income at the entry level stages is difficult, especially with a family. Many of us have done it, worked through low income while dealing with all the rest, and for a lot of us, it's a challenge. It's easier, financially, if your wife works. Mine didn't. There's no simple solution to your question. Everyone's situation is different.
07-24-2018 | 06:36 AM
#13
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,908
Likes: 694
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
My concern with doing it part time is how long it would take - if I don't go all-in and get to 1500 hours in 2-ish years, but instead work full time pursuing it, how long would I realistically expect it to take? I'm guessing at least 5-6 years if not more, which puts me in my 50's before I would get on with an airline, changing my career from 18-ish years to less than 15. I know that I could still get a good senior captainship at a regional in that time, but while I'm not wanting to do this to chase after the money it does reduce the ROI potential significantly.
07-24-2018 | 06:59 AM
#14
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 74
I can't imagine why having a FFL would create an issue for a pilot. Don't break the law. It's not that complicated. Those who end up getting taken down as FFL's typically have crossed multiple lines by the time they end up under observation by the BATFE.
There's the other side of the coin, however, for the seller who stays within the law, but winds up on the wrong side of a civil suit. That's something over which the FFL holder has little control.
07-24-2018 | 07:51 AM
#15
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,908
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I'm familiar with the "firearms scene." I'm one of those "super gun owners" the media refers to. I shoot, reload, compete, train, carry, and I own a lot of firearms.
I can't imagine why having a FFL would create an issue for a pilot. Don't break the law. It's not that complicated. Those who end up getting taken down as FFL's typically have crossed multiple lines by the time they end up under observation by the BATFE.
There's the other side of the coin, however, for the seller who stays within the law, but winds up on the wrong side of a civil suit. That's something over which the FFL holder has little control.
I can't imagine why having a FFL would create an issue for a pilot. Don't break the law. It's not that complicated. Those who end up getting taken down as FFL's typically have crossed multiple lines by the time they end up under observation by the BATFE.
There's the other side of the coin, however, for the seller who stays within the law, but winds up on the wrong side of a civil suit. That's something over which the FFL holder has little control.
07-24-2018 | 01:30 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
Hey OP.....sorry I sidetracked your thread with FFL talk
I am super careful with my FFL and do most of my business online, gunbroker etc, so Im often just shipping to other FFL's. That plus online transfers keeps things pretty simple.
If all goes wrong.....well my wife is also on the FFL, I can always blame her
I am super careful with my FFL and do most of my business online, gunbroker etc, so Im often just shipping to other FFL's. That plus online transfers keeps things pretty simple.
If all goes wrong.....well my wife is also on the FFL, I can always blame her
07-25-2018 | 01:39 PM
#17
On Reserve
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Hi all, been enjoying lurking on the forums here. Love the vast expanse of opinions!
I'm about to turn 45 years old and am a computer programmer. Been infatuated with flying my whole life, especially the airlines, and have been seriously considering a career change to become an airline pilot. Even if all I was able to do is retire as a senior captain at a regional I should be able to earn more than I make now by about 5-7 years into that position; being able to go to a legacy carrier would just be gravy. The problem, as it is for many people, is financing - not just the $65,000 I anticipate for the training to get to my Commercial/CFI/CFII ratings, but the loss of income during the year that would take plus the loss of income early on in the career, all while having small children at home. Do you all have any ideas or suggestions about ways to finance this? Has anyone here taken a similar path and can share your experience? Thanks in advance!
I'm about to turn 45 years old and am a computer programmer. Been infatuated with flying my whole life, especially the airlines, and have been seriously considering a career change to become an airline pilot. Even if all I was able to do is retire as a senior captain at a regional I should be able to earn more than I make now by about 5-7 years into that position; being able to go to a legacy carrier would just be gravy. The problem, as it is for many people, is financing - not just the $65,000 I anticipate for the training to get to my Commercial/CFI/CFII ratings, but the loss of income during the year that would take plus the loss of income early on in the career, all while having small children at home. Do you all have any ideas or suggestions about ways to finance this? Has anyone here taken a similar path and can share your experience? Thanks in advance!
I'm in the almost exact same boat as you jdavid. I'm age 46, 25 years into my career. I'm bored, burnt-out and going no further.; I've done all I'm going to do. I have 8 years to go to max out my retirement at age 55. I'm married with a six year old. Wife has a good paying job.
I recently connected with a airline pilot who worked in my career field and left it to fly. We are meeting tomorrow, he wants to help me chart a course to an aviation career. My wife is a major obstacle to making a change for me, a major obstacle. That, and my own feelings of guilt that I should be dumping this money into my son's college fund, not chasing my own dreams.
I see that I have 8 years to get as much training and experience as possible. If a great opportunity opens up before then, maybe I'll modify the plan. I see opportunity in aviation, something I don't have in my current occupation. So, it's either sit and wait to retire, or be productive and open a new chapter.
We will see.
07-25-2018 | 01:52 PM
#18
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,908
Likes: 694
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Subscribed.
I'm in the almost exact same boat as you jdavid. I'm age 46, 25 years into my career. I'm bored, burnt-out and going no further.; I've done all I'm going to do. I have 8 years to go to max out my retirement at age 55. I'm married with a six year old. Wife has a good paying job.
I recently connected with a airline pilot who worked in my career field and left it to fly. We are meeting tomorrow, he wants to help me chart a course to an aviation career. My wife is a major obstacle to making a change for me, a major obstacle. That, and my own feelings of guilt that I should be dumping this money into my son's college fund, not chasing my own dreams.
I see that I have 8 years to get as much training and experience as possible. If a great opportunity opens up before then, maybe I'll modify the plan.
We will see.
I'm in the almost exact same boat as you jdavid. I'm age 46, 25 years into my career. I'm bored, burnt-out and going no further.; I've done all I'm going to do. I have 8 years to go to max out my retirement at age 55. I'm married with a six year old. Wife has a good paying job.
I recently connected with a airline pilot who worked in my career field and left it to fly. We are meeting tomorrow, he wants to help me chart a course to an aviation career. My wife is a major obstacle to making a change for me, a major obstacle. That, and my own feelings of guilt that I should be dumping this money into my son's college fund, not chasing my own dreams.
I see that I have 8 years to get as much training and experience as possible. If a great opportunity opens up before then, maybe I'll modify the plan.
We will see.
If you go now, you'll likely have a good shot at getting to a major in your early 50's, and retiring as a CA making $300-400k+. Assumes you're a personable adult with a clean background and can maintain a good aviation training record.
Might want to run some numbers, compare your max retirement (bird in hand) vs. a good run at a major (two in the bush).
07-25-2018 | 01:59 PM
#19
Thread Starter
New Hire
Joined: May 2018
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I recently connected with a airline pilot who worked in my career field and left it to fly. We are meeting tomorrow, he wants to help me chart a course to an aviation career. My wife is a major obstacle to making a change for me, a major obstacle. That, and my own feelings of guilt that I should be dumping this money into my son's college fund, not chasing my own dreams.
07-25-2018 | 02:17 PM
#20
On Reserve
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 12
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Eight years and you'll miss much of the retirement wave, and might end up spending your career at a regional topping out at a very low six figures (nobody really knows what the regionals will look like in ten years).
If you go now, you'll likely have a good shot at getting to a major in your early 50's, and retiring as a CA making $300-400k+. Assumes you're a personable adult with a clean background and can maintain a good aviation training record.
Might want to run some numbers, compare your max retirement (bird in hand) vs. a good run at a major (two in the bush).
If you go now, you'll likely have a good shot at getting to a major in your early 50's, and retiring as a CA making $300-400k+. Assumes you're a personable adult with a clean background and can maintain a good aviation training record.
Might want to run some numbers, compare your max retirement (bird in hand) vs. a good run at a major (two in the bush).
All great points Rick, thanks for the reply. From where I sit today, I haven't dare dream I could end up with a major, I just assumed it was unattainable. We have a regional near my home and while most use it to build time and move on, I think it could be a good fit for me. Still, even that is a million steps away from where I am today.
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