42-Year Old Looking to Start New Career
05-09-2010, 05:48 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 746
Originally Posted by isell188
Hi there. I am 42 years old and currently looking into another career. I have both an undergraduate and a law degree, but have a passion for aviation. I am also recently divorced and awaiting the sale of my home. My goal would be to combine some type of law with aviation, but i have seen schools that offer a complete package from zero hours to instructor or commercial. i also had a dream of starting my own or purchasing a flight school part 61 or FBO operation and trying to teach LSA sport license instruction.
My question is i have seen the fast track programs and was wondering if some of the schools are good and others not so good. I was hoping to find out the best option if i want to eventually purchase an LSA and teach with it, to make a nice side income if i don't get into owning an FBO (assuming one is available to purchase or partner up with) I currently live on the east coast, but was thinking of doing this in AZ if possible.
thanks.
My question is i have seen the fast track programs and was wondering if some of the schools are good and others not so good. I was hoping to find out the best option if i want to eventually purchase an LSA and teach with it, to make a nice side income if i don't get into owning an FBO (assuming one is available to purchase or partner up with) I currently live on the east coast, but was thinking of doing this in AZ if possible.
thanks.
Hey,
Just start with a PPL and enjoy the ride through your CFI. That journey will answer many of your questions and put a smile on your face. You may end up being a burnt up freelance CFI or you may end up creating the next hot flightschool franchise, but first things first. Get your licenses!
You already have a backup plan with your law degree. All it will cost you is money. Find a school with low rates and good instructors and GET GOING
05-10-2010, 11:17 AM
#12
alchemist
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,089
Originally Posted by Joachim
Hey,
Just start with a PPL and enjoy the ride through your CFI. That journey will answer many of your questions and put a smile on your face. You may end up being a burnt up freelance CFI or you may end up creating the next hot flightschool franchise, but first things first. Get your licenses!
You already have a backup plan with your law degree. All it will cost you is money. Find a school with low rates and good instructors and GET GOING
Just start with a PPL and enjoy the ride through your CFI. That journey will answer many of your questions and put a smile on your face. You may end up being a burnt up freelance CFI or you may end up creating the next hot flightschool franchise, but first things first. Get your licenses!
You already have a backup plan with your law degree. All it will cost you is money. Find a school with low rates and good instructors and GET GOING
isell
easier said than done, but its the answer to your question/s
save your money for your start-up flight school business instead of renting a cirrus with glass!
05-10-2010, 11:49 AM
#13
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: B737 FO
Posts: 30
Have You Considered the Law Side?
I am your age and a currently furloughed major airline pilot. I have also considered changing careers -- to law! I was accepted into law school for the fall, but have opted not to attend for fear of trading one ragged career for another.
Having said that, I have done plenty of research and what I could do to combine the two interests of aviation and law. Have you considered practicing aviation law or space law? There are some very good LL.M. programs about -- Ole Miss, DePaul in the U.S.; Leiden and McGill abroad. I would think these programs would be particularly enlightening if you didn't get a lot of international law experience as part of your J.D.
There is always plenty of opportunity for bankruptcy and M&A lawyers in aviation as well.
You can practice law and fly airplanes on the side, which seems like a very reasonable alternative to setting law completely aside for an interest that you've only just begun to explore.
Having said that, I have done plenty of research and what I could do to combine the two interests of aviation and law. Have you considered practicing aviation law or space law? There are some very good LL.M. programs about -- Ole Miss, DePaul in the U.S.; Leiden and McGill abroad. I would think these programs would be particularly enlightening if you didn't get a lot of international law experience as part of your J.D.
There is always plenty of opportunity for bankruptcy and M&A lawyers in aviation as well.
You can practice law and fly airplanes on the side, which seems like a very reasonable alternative to setting law completely aside for an interest that you've only just begun to explore.
05-10-2010, 03:49 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by Alighted
I am your age and a currently furloughed major airline pilot. I have also considered changing careers -- to law! I was accepted into law school for the fall, but have opted not to attend for fear of trading one ragged career for another.
bar-raised-for-law-grad-jobs: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
Probably depends on your particular field of expertise - but starting out can always be a challenge.
I know someone trying to get back into civilian law right now, and even with years of legal practice starting out in the civilian sector (Asst. DA type work) and now years as a JAG in the military - it is tough going.
Good luck in your decision/quest.
USMCFLYR
05-24-2010, 02:31 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 125
For the lawyer wanting to be pilot and for the pilot wanting to be lawyer...
From what I know the FAA is in charge of ramp inspections/airport inspections which require being able to translate regulations into plain english and issue fines for those who fail to meet guidelines. All of that is legal business and I imagine if a pilot wanted to fight a fine he could probably take it to court. If you could pass the bar, and have a commercial pilot license you might be pretty competitive for an FAA job. It is a government job so I imagine they pay well have job security (two things that will be non existent for any flight instructor or start up fbo owner)
From what I know the FAA is in charge of ramp inspections/airport inspections which require being able to translate regulations into plain english and issue fines for those who fail to meet guidelines. All of that is legal business and I imagine if a pilot wanted to fight a fine he could probably take it to court. If you could pass the bar, and have a commercial pilot license you might be pretty competitive for an FAA job. It is a government job so I imagine they pay well have job security (two things that will be non existent for any flight instructor or start up fbo owner)
05-25-2010, 03:40 AM
#17
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2009
Posts: 56
Originally Posted by Ottopilot
If you want a million dollars from an aviation business, start with two million. Seriously, do some research, most throw their money away. Keep a good job, learn to fly, rent a plane, have fun.
Ya, know....I started out in this business 40 years ago with nothing, and I still have most of it left!! I applaud you for having dreams and goals, but as other have suggested, DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Get your ratings, get some experience and find out if this is something you want to do for the rest of your life. You're 42 now and by the time you get all your ratings and experience, you'll be on the other side of 45.
Good Luck
08-09-2010, 03:47 PM
#19
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Position: CRJ 200 Capt
Posts: 6
I got into aviation as a second career also. I was 37 before i took my first flight in a small plane. Is aviation a tough career, YES. But so is law. I was a cop before being a pilot and I fly part time for a law firm. You have to work alot of hrs to make money as a lawyer. As a pilot you are gone about half to 2/3 of the month, and while you are gone you usually work long hrs. But the rest of the time you are off. Off more than you would be as an attorney. As an older guy like yourself I can say go with what you really want to do. If you get into Law or aviation or medicine for the money you probably arn't going to be happy. I fly for a large regional airline and hope to go to a major soon. Some of the folks that bad mouth the profession are young and impatient and wish they were making $200,000.00 a year after only being in the industry a few short years. Yes it cost alot to learn how to fly, but so does Law School and Medical School. I made Capt about three years ago and I make a nice living.
As far as ATP inc flight school I went there and I can't speak highly enough for them. They are an excellent flight school with alot of locations. They one thing they offer that alot of flight programs don't is Multi-time. You have to get this to fly for the airlines.
If I can make one suggestion get your Private Lic on your own. This will give you time to figure out if you really like it. It's not as easy as it seems. And then you can jump in with both feet
PS please excuse the spelling it's my down fall
As far as ATP inc flight school I went there and I can't speak highly enough for them. They are an excellent flight school with alot of locations. They one thing they offer that alot of flight programs don't is Multi-time. You have to get this to fly for the airlines.
If I can make one suggestion get your Private Lic on your own. This will give you time to figure out if you really like it. It's not as easy as it seems. And then you can jump in with both feet
PS please excuse the spelling it's my down fall
08-14-2010, 12:41 PM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: May 2010
Posts: 89
Well i wouldn't switch careers to make money in aviation, but if you love aviation and this is what you want to do, then go after your dream.... It's expensive and takes a lot of time and effort, but at the end of the day its worth it, if you love flying
Good luck on your decision
Good luck on your decision
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