MonsterZero

The aviation bug is biting me again.

I'm a senior chap and I'd be training from scratch at age 43. Due to my age I absolutely don't mind flying for regionals but hearing negative comments about regionals. Too old to do anything else I think.

The novelty of making money just to earn money has worn off. Afraid I will grow an old man and have regrets I didn't have courage to pursue a childhood dream.

Make about $41 / hr in Illinois but because I'm a travel nurse I can make much more in other states like Cali.

If I can't make it to regionals then I'd like to be a CFI and teach kids to fly while working part time as a nurse. I'm very flexible but unsure what to do

Can't decide on the flight training path because too many options and so many schools. Pilots tell me I'm running out of time and they recommend accelerated program but that's so risky due to debt. I have 20k in cash but once I've gone through that it will take me a long time to save again so it would have to be financing. Worried about debt. 20k available immediately but that will pay for only 25% of training right?

There is an accelerated program near San Bernardino that promises to make me a first officer on King Air in six to eight months. Cost is 55k. What do you think?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

MonsterZero

One more comment I heard. Fellow nurse married to pilot. She told him about me. He says professional career at age 43 not worth it, forget it. He says just get private pilot and stop at that. Make it a hobby. Depending on who I ask for advice I get a wide range of responses. This makes me even more indecisive.

Einstein2014

55k for up to Commercial Multi is too much in my opinion. It cost me around 65k to get up to my CFII and MEI at an expensive accelerated program. Plus the age restriction is just for airline flying. You could fly a jet for any other type of operation until you can't hold a medical anymore l. But, I wouldn't drop 25k into anything. Pay as you go, lots of flight schools have gone bankrupt and ran away with the students money.

Cosgr

I don't think it's ever too late to make a change. You only live once, right? I was a career changer too at 38, and have no regrets. I went the slow pay as you go route, which worked well for me. I have no debt, as I had a good paying job while I trained.

My suggestion, since you don't have your Private yet, is to start with that somewhere that's local and convenient to you, and then evaluate whether you want to continue on with training.

chrisreedrules

Don't do it. You'll be 50-early 50's by the time you realistically have a shot at anything other than a regional. And regionals are set to experience a lot of turmoil over the next 5 years, so a viable career at a regional may not be a reality either. And I'm going to say hell no if you have to take on a lot of debt to do it. Go get your private pilot. You'll have way more fun than flying professionally anyway.

geosync

I know of a nurse(friend of a friend) that flies commuters part time. He went to nursing school after getting all his pilot ratings, and starting working the ER. CFied to get the hours, then starting flying for a commuter part time, he loves it. He makes more than enough by picking up shifts in the ER when not flying so he just flies for the fun of it. I'd suggest just starting slowly, get your ratings up to CFI, and teach part time to see if you even like aviation, because you'd have no debt a stable career to go back to. Then see if you want to jump into the part 121 world full time. You still have time, it's not like you're in your late 50's.

MonsterZero

Hmm. Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like going one rating at a time, pay as I go, is the most sensible way to train. But how long will it take me that way? From zero hours to commercial or CFI? This is assuming I have a second job? I work 12 hour shifts as a nurse. This means I stay at home 4 days very week doing...I'm ashamed to admit...nothing. Play computer flight sims and other games for days at a time.

MonsterZero

I don't think you understand where I come from. Give me a chance to fly a King Air for 10 years, part time. After that I can die with the satisfaction of completing an important goal. Not everybody is motivated by traditional "career path" where they have to make six figures or else their lives are upside down

renaissance2008

I got my CMEL 20 years ago, didn't get the CFI ticket and it pretty much stalled after that. I regret not going all in everyday. It's a young man's game, the sooner the better. If your goal is to land a cushy job at a major airline, i think it's too late. Otherwise start the journey but keep your job. Use those days off and pay as you go, become a CFI and go from there.

Slim11

It's not impossible. I was hired by my first airline, as a pilot, at 41. If you have the flexibility and the funds to fly on your days off, pay-as-you-go is the way to do it. I would not drop $55,000 on the program you described.

I started my airline career as a flight attendant. Like you, I had the time and money to fly on my days off. Start with the PVT and decide after that.

One of the posters said the regionals are going to face some turmoil in the next five years. I agree. But, there will still be a need for pilots that is becoming more challenging every day for all airlines.

Good luck.