USNavyAME

Hey guys/gals, new to the forum. I have just started taking flight lessons, about 6 hours in...it's unreal. Wish it didn't take me so long (31 years).

I am currently an IT Security Admin working from home for good money, which affords me the benefit of being able to pay as I go. I used my GI Bill for a Bachelors Degree in IT but have become increasingly bored with the lack of passion I have and mundane job, so I have begun flying! I was in law enforcement (awesome job, underpaid but rewarding as anything i've done, military included) for a few years but he wife was unfortunately laid off from her job so I had to return to IT for the income, now that we are stable I'm getting the itch to get out of this desk chair again.

I will be paying as I go through my Comm, CFI, ME, ATP ratings with the exception of a small loan for my instrument which I am reimbursed 60% thanks to the remaining GI Bill benefits.

Is it a good idea to keep paying as I go, I am 31 after all...no longer a young pup. I do receive a VA disability payment of about $1150/mo that I will be adding towards flying but am very hesitant about taking out a loan just for the sake of getting done in a year. In this situation, is it really that bad of an idea with my VA income on top of a great salary? No other debt, other than a little $$ remaining on my truck. To be more specific, in the aviation economy right now, would it behoove me to get it done quicker rather than later?

To be honest, I don't have a specific 'end goal' in aviation. I don't think I want to fly for an airline, but maybe instruct on the side to keep current and fly a bit. Or maybe fly surveying, or for the forest service, leo, Alaska, etc.

Part of me says to take my time, 2-3 years and pay as I go, flying twice a week...the other part says I'm fortunate enough to already have a bachelors with no debt and a decent VA income on the side that would pay for 100% of the loan.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks a bunch guys, and best of luck!

No Land 3

A very good friend of mine in the same exact position you're in made the jump full speed ahead. He is now a CA on an E-jet. Loves his job but financially, he is feeling the pain. He made gobs of money in IT. He refuses however to go back to IT, it burnt him out so badly.
You must follow the little voice in your head as to which direction to take. If you do pilot training, try to fly 3 to 4 times a week.

USNavyAME

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm glad it worked out well for your friend! I would love to do the same, and just jump right in. I have talked myself into and back out of it a few times now. I try my best to balance passion and logic. Passion tells me to do what I really want to do, but logic says to be practical about it. Just not sure if it's practical to take my time, given the late start into the field.

It makes it a bit more difficult having a wife who depends on you for income. It certainly isn't her fault I don't enjoy my job in IT, and to put us into debt because of me...doesn't seem fair. She is fully supportive and says to go for it, but she really just wants me to be happy...still leaves the logic part fighting back in my head.

It's an ongoing struggle. Does the market seem to be on the uptick as far as jobs are considered in your opinion?

Thanks again.

caylejqx

Sorry to touch on this and I hope I dont impead on your medical history but will your disability limit you from getting a first class medical and restricting you from possibly flying for the airlines?
Btw...I am 30 wife and 2 kids 3rd on the way and I am quitting my 50k a year job to use my GI Bill for this career so if your content with giving up money for what you truly feel is what you want then I say go for it. I would die an unhappy person if i knew I didnt accomplish my,life long dream of being a pilot. Good luck to you! I wish you the best.

USNavyAME

Hey Caylejgx, congratulations on the 3rd kid on the way, that's pretty exciting.

I don't mind saying...without going into too much detail, the majority of it is scarring and tissue damage. I am fortunate enough for it not to impede too much, and have already gotten a first class medical.

I know what you mean about dying unhappy if you didn't pursue it. I truly feel this isn't a feeling of needing a career change, I have done that before when I became a police officer. This is something much bigger, going back to my early days as a Navy Airdale. If I were dying and unable to do it, I would feel the ultimate regret of not at least pursuing it the best I can.

ugleeual

Can u freelance your IT work on the side and on the road to supplement your income during training and while flying for an airline? It's tough making a career change when you have a family and it's compounded when your income is the primary. Hope it works out for you.

Nunavut

I am in a similar situation, but I am 32. I am currently working in the Insurance Industry, but as of this June, will be resigning my position to attend a flight academy full-time with the end goal of working for a US Legacy carrier. I have not found any enjoyment in the various jobs that I have held over the years, and have always had an interest in flight and flying as a profession. I am married, but with no kids, so if there was ever a time for me to pursue this, it would be now...

Anyways, I hope it all works out for you. I will be attending a flight program in Florida full-time for the next 57 weeks :-)