bwolsen

I am a police officer and will be retiring in about 5 years. At that time I will be 45 years old and will begin drawing a pension. I would love to begin a second career as a pilot and realize that I need to get started asap. In addition to being a police officer, I work part time for a major airline as a customer service agent. I know that does little to help but it has further cemented my desire to fly.

I do not have a 4 year degree and realize that is a requirement with many major airlines. For now, flying for a regional would be plenty for me though. Any advice that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Should I go to a turn-key school? Should I get my license and hours little by little on my own?

I would love to not have to get $100,000 in loans and do it as economically as possible.

flyguy37

shave your mustache......seriously find something else to do with your retirement. I talked a retired state trooper out of flying 8 years ago and he recently thanked me. Fly for fun. Regionals will take your soul

SGALLO

Start studying for your private right now, find a local instructor (part 61) and get all your ratings that way. That is the cheapest way to go, if you are motivated and you should be you can get all your ratings in less than 2 years working full time. If you can find a instructor that instructs part time and is also a corporate pilot this may open some doors for you in the future... if he likes you he may let you ride along sometimes and could possibly recommend you for a co-pilot position in the future.

Whatever you do don't go in debt for your ratings! Pay for them as you go and see how you really like flying, stay positive when it gets tough and study hard. Good luck, if you need any specifics send me a PM.

FlyingHawaiian

I had a Flight with a CFI who was building time during his days off from his normal job as a cop. His plan was to build time during his free time. Retire as a cop, then market himself at the regionals with no interest for the majors. ****ty regional pay would not be a problem, he would still have his retirement pay and he could still be able to fly for 10-15 years at the airlines.

Aviator89

Unfortunately at your age and no flight time the majors is very unlikely. However not impossible. However, one mans trash is another treasure. So regional airlines would love you! You would need 1500 total time, so you would need to instruct after getting your commercial, or something to build time. I saw you mentioned your pension. Would that plus $23,000 your first year work for you? If so then depending on the airline, how close it is to your home etc. it could be a great fun thing to do until you are 65. But im guessing QOL will be the major player here, and regionals dont have much to offer in that department. But not commuting across the country, and working for one of the "better" regionals will help a lot. I would not say dont do it, as the first responder said. Just as long as you are okay with the financial details about flying and subsequent lifestyle in the cfi and regional airline world. Spend about $50k on your ratings, instruct at near min wage, then work for a regional at near min wage your first few years. I personally dont have any dependents, fairly young, so doing what i love to do is all that matters. But ill tell you what, the first year or two pay at regionals sucks. I made the same working full time just above min wage at a movie theater. But i dont have a pension either. So you may truly make the best of it and really enjoy it. Good luck! Dont listen to all the nay sayers, just because they had a friend who decided otherwise and thanked them years later for talking them out of aviation. True, this job isnt for everyone but it may be for you. Only you can decide that. Just know what you are getting into, and make smart choices.

Rnav

Option 1:
Get your ratings at a part 141 school. Will take you 3-4 years to get to CFI if you do it while working part time at it. That means flying/having a lesson at least 2-3 times a week. If you can dedicate that much time plus ALOT of studying you will get done before you retire. Alot cheaper than the accelerated schools. Besides you still have 5 years until you retire. Negative is you will be closer to retirement before you will have 1500 TT, so you might not be completely ready for a regional right at retirement.

Option 2:
Got to somewhere like ALLATPS get your ratings quick(less than a year) and start working part time as a CFI on your days off. Negative is the big debt you will incur, but you should be able to pay a large portion of it off if you pay it down before you actually retire.

Finally:
Prepare to be shocked by how little you will make at a regional. Especially after getting paid to work the beat. But your pension will definitely be a nice supplemental to your low regional pay and you'll be fine.