Currently I am on salary and the flying takes about 3 hours per day plus about 3 on the ground, 5-6 days a week. Yes, there is plenty of time to do other things. Some things to think about might be:

* limited access to reference materials
* need a heavy duty laptop to do everything a desktop can
* can stop and start work as necessary to do the flying job
* free from hard or rigorous deadlines
* limited access to colleagues, peers, customers, etc.
* limited printing facilities, office supplies, etc.

I have never tried it but there is no doubt you can set up a portable office in a hotel and do a few hours a day on a project. Hotel engineering offices are not ideal but I know engineers who have done it. CAD, FEA, spreadsheets, reports, certain types of analyses, quite a few things can be done on a laptop. Quite a few days I end up at home, so obviously those days would be no different than working at home- but you would still seem to want to be able to pack into a bag (quickly) and open up at a hotel if you intend to meet regular deadlines.

 

Your read-back is correct.

 

I say go for it, this disease has no cure. You only live once, you probably will have many ups and downs throughout the journey. Its definitely not the easiest path you can choose. Just remember that no matter what you choose, in every profession there will be those people who are extremely depressed and hate their job.

P.S

You have a real degree so you will always have a way out in case something goes wrong!

Good luck.

 

this disease has no cure

Yes it does... its called the regional airlines.

 

Thanks for the info, Cub...

 

My story is similar....live in michigan with family/kids/stable flexible descent paying non flying job.....

Did the fbo ppl thru cfi

Considered career change and decided it was to unstable....

Current situation=descent stable job with cfi flying on the side....kept the family/kids

I would recommend something similar.

I wish I was flying bigger cooler stuff sometimes.......wish I was flying more ifr real life stuff sometimes.....wish I was flying more sometimes.....

Network and social skills a plus......

After awhile you can find owner/students and end up flying them around in cooler stuff.......

Plan on professional flying/retirement supplemtation when I retire @ 50

Any questions message me

Good luck

 

I'm kinda in the same boat as you. I'm going for it so you should too. I'm paying out of pocket to cut back on debt. Always had a passion for flying so I'm doing it.

 

You will get different responses depending on the career/success of the responder.

I made it. I'm a major US airline captain. I love my job. I can make $1500 a day doing a Caribbean turn. I have time off to enjoy life and even waste time on this forum.

I've always loved flying. I've done it all. I've lost many jobs from companies going out of business or selling their plane. I've had years of very low wages. I worked long and hard to get where I am. Success is measured by you; not others, not your possesions, money, family, etc. Be content with what you have and you will be happy. If being an airline pilot is a goal, do it. If having a $600,000 home for your family is a goal, do it. You must realize you can't have it all; focus your energy and efforts.

If any kind of flying will satisfy you, then get a good job and buy a plane. It's ironic that I, as an airline pilot, miss flying around in a C152, and I can't afford one (kids, college tuition, etc). It's always been a goal of mine to own a plane, but I'll have to wait a while.

The airlines are starting to hire so if you want it, start training now.

 

As said above, get your PPL and than fly for fun. While this job is good, having a great paying job and being able to own/fly for yourself is a lot better.