A&P to Pilot? Advice?
 

So I am thinking about making a little bit of a career switch, sorta. I am an A&P with the I.A. cert. and would like to work as a pilot so here is my plan. I currently have my commercial with a little over 400 hours TT with about 100 hours of wildlife survey time last spring. The path I am goin for would be Tailwheel endorsment, Seaplane add-on rating, then CFI. Get a couple hundred more hours of instructing then try to work in Alaska during the summers and instruct and do some annual inspections back in the Seattle area during the winter. Maybe a pipe dream but after a decade of full time wrenching I'm getting a little bored. Anyone else been down this path? I am 39 y.o. so I figure now or never. Thanks!

AK bush flying is not for low-timers, but if you go up there to CFI you should be able to work your way into bush flying.

If you want to go airlines, AK is not the fast-track. You'd be better off staying south and building time all year (maybe turn wrenches on the side for extra cash).

I worked a long time as an A&P before flying. I wrenched at 91 and 121 operators, later worked at a long haul freight outfit turning wrenches then got on as a PFE. Got furloughed, worked for a 135 wrenching and flying went back later in the right seat of a 727. Now work at a legacy and am in a pretty good spot.
Its possible, but takes perseverance and patience to pay off. Making good friends along the way can also help a lot.

PM me. I will try to hook you up with some contact info if you are genuinely interested in AK. Best of luck. Be safe.

A company like Dynamic aviation would love a guy like you.
Check them out.
Good luck.

Exactly what I was going to say...

You would think judging from their requirements but I think they might want a little more total time. I app'd with 12 years of turboprop mx time and flight engineer time, prior military, ect but haven't heard anything. I'm 550 total/ 105 multi. Could just be me though, who knows... But definately keep up the pursuit!

Applied to Dynamic a month ago, have not heard anything back yet.
Kilgore Trout, I do not have enough post to send PM's yet but I am interested in Alaska. I know some folks up in Fairbanks but all on the maintenance side. Looks like you must have a min. of 10 posts. Thanks.