I completely agree. Diversify. You can do that with instructing, but you will need instrument and multi engine students. Vfr and ppl students only, wont help you much in terms of expeirence for a future airline job. And if you can, get some time in flying corporate or cargo. Thats were you learn to fly the weather, ATC system. Not with a student pilot mumbling on the radios... Lots of corporate departments out there fly small single engines. Cirrus especially, bonanzas etc. that may hire low(ish) time guys. Or as a right seat in a tprop or jet.

 

There are some really good ppl at the airport there. Go out and talk to them, might be able to get you in touch with someone who can really give you a good idea of what you can do

 

1946 CESSNA 120 Piston Single Aircraft For Sale At Controller.com
This...get 1000 hrs as fast as you can then sell it or keep it for fun and work for Ameriflight to get your 1000 hrs turbine PIC.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies and input. Greatly appreciated! Time to weight things up with my wife and see where it goes. Thanks again

 

I hate to say it bud but your situation is the result of your 'not wanting it bad enough' while in your 20's. The sacrifices in this career field are enormous at the beginning and to put your young family through this because your bored now in your 30's is selfish to say the least. I'm a Captain for a US carrier and Designated Pilot Examiner for the FAA so I have a little knowledge about what your going through. You could start by getting a BFR (FAR 61.56). The 250 hours you have are an amount only and do not reflect your skill. You have been out of this for 12 years and so you need 250 hours more to be where you were. There is no getting around that. Just getting an airplane and just flying cross countries for 250 more hours isn't the solution. As mentioned above, the 'rust' will fall off by getting current and adding an additional rating (CFI). Now do that as a part time job and keep your day job. In the meantime, look into the FAA/DOT/NTSB/ATC for job opportunities. For example, the FAA needs controller in a bad way. With your aviation knowledge, you would be a shoe-in for it and a 6 figure salary and benefits for retirement. You could apply for the NTSB as an investigator. With a Commercial AMEL as you so indicated, you would be a very good candidate as a Crash site investigator. Yes you are young and could potentially have 25 years left as a career pilot but you have a family, a wife with a good job and your living in a small town that is not an aviation mecca. You need to be a dad and make good choices for your family but you can still have an aviation career and feel successful. You made your choices in your 20's, you've made your bed and now you're going to have to lye in it. Isn't that what your parents told you?? Get your mind right and make some good decisions here.