ProPilotToBe
 

I am 46, have established family with debt , BS/MS and seriously looking at changing my career after 23 yrs in the IT industry. Currently have PPL and slowly working on my IFR due to lack of funds and of course family finances and kids are more important now. I do have a second job which is paying off/down some bills and hopefully will pay for finishing my instrument, then CPL, MEI and maybe CFI.

I like the idea of working Part 135 part-time /or instructing.

At your age, you really need to be financially set to pursue aviation...ie military/police retirement in place, 401k fully stocked ($500K+), highly-paid spouse (and highly loyal). If you still have bills to pay, I'd be very wary...

Most people don't find typical 135 to be a good career destination, although there are a few sweet deals in almost any segment of aviation.

You might consider getting the ratings, and then working as a part-time CFI. You can build some time and get to know people at your local field(s) and maybe eventually work as a back-up corporate pilot. Most private owners will hire one or maybe two full-time pilots, and then draw from the pool of part-timers when needed. You may need to buy a citation type rating to break into it. You might eventually get invited to go full-time at a one of those sweet deals.

ppilot, your situation is what I am trying to achieve. However, I am 46 and have a full-time desk job and want to fly part-time not necessary as a CFI but maybe part 135 or cargo until I build hrs so that maybe I can fly full-time making a decent living.

I'm the same age, but my situation is a little different. Although we're starting late, I believe that we both will get to where we want to be....whether that's at a regional or I'm lucky enough to get on with a Major...pax or cargo. My fiance will be working in a higher paying school district next year so we'll be ok. No debt for me with flight training, but my personal bills come to about $800/mo. When we get married in August, bills will be right around $2800/mo.


atp

I am being brutally honest. It would be a bad choice for you and your family for you to get a career flying. My .02

Well, seems like you're have a more realistic situation for right path that I am thinking of.

I want to wish you the best of luck...Thx Jeff

I was in the accounting industry for about 1.5 years. I felt like Peter Gibbons from Office Space. One day I said...im not getting any younger and If I dont start flying I will regret it one day when Im old. So I quit my job and started flying full time in november 2006. I got my CFI in september 2008. I have about 650 hours right now with CFII and MEI. I love instructing and am so happy to be out of accounting. If you would like to hear more about my experiences let me know. I can give you an idea about costs, schedules, schools stuff like that.

Thanks for being real. I am looking at options and the right path to take. Whether I fly just for fun or aa a career, it appears like for my current situation, a career is not the right choice. However, since I have my PPL and would like to get more ratings/certs, I just like to make it part of my life and what is more than getting paid for something I enjoyed doing.

Unfortunately, it came late/later in my life and seems like I won’t get them for another 2 -3 yrs:( , but I am going to keep chugging along until I am in the right position both family/finanically to see what happens from there...

Thanks,
Jeff

Keep going Jeff at a pace that is right for you. Although it may be an added expense, you may want to consider about becoming a member of an aviation oriented organization. For example, the organization "Women in Aviation"...and yes, there are male members, gave away 710K in monies toward persons flight training experience either last year or the year before.

Do the research. The money is out there to had.

All the best. Blue skies.


atp

Most people
 

Most people work a job that they hate because they love their families and are living up to the duty of being a provider and parent.

Unless you are financially independent it is irresponsible to put your family through the hardships of a new aviation career at 46 years of age. The odds of you ever being able to make enough money as a pilot to replace your current responsibilities is slim.

Save your money. Pay off the credit cards and car. Become a private pilot and fly on the weekends.

SkyHigh