What are my chances?
 

Hi guys/gals,

Although I've been reading the forums now for about one month, this is my first post.

I hold a "current" CFI-CFII-MEI with 670TT/70 Multi. My certificates were mostly gained pre-911. I'm 33 years old, male caucasian, single with no degree. I haven't been in a cockpit in nearly two years.

I recently sold my business that I established nine years ago. I've done extremely well, and would like some honest feedback if a high net worth, lack of a university degree and a two year lapse in flying would hamper my ability to secure employment in this industry?

Will the interview board look at my non-traditional background as a positive? I'm scheduled for recurrency in January.

Any tips on how and what I should do would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Erik

Hi,
What type of flying do you want to get into? Corporate, instructing, airline?
I had a student who had a similar problem a few years back. He had a little more time than you, but he had a pretty high net worth, I think. He actually got on with one of the regionals, and his wife manages their business, so I guess that's how he supports himself while making 22K a year or so.

Are you shure you want to start earning 22K at 33?

I say go for it, get current, then go for a regional job. Without a degree it's impossible to get hired by the major airlines. In this case you might want to get an online degree, possibly in business management, since you seem to be doing good in the business world. This way if aviation fails you, you have even more good business skills. Good Luck!

On a side note if you did good in your business and accumulated a good sum of money, invest it. That way your money will grow while you fly. You could keep track of your investments while working at a regional. My goal is to become a pilot and one the side a finnancial advisor/stock broker. I'm currently working on both things. There are many ways to make your money grow if you need help contact a finnancial investor, right now I not ready to give finnancial advice (still learning) but that's a good way to go. I learned along time ago that flying is fun and a nice thing to do, but I will need to have a second job to support myself, and althought investing requires time, it doesn't require me to be at a specific location, anyways I suggest you go into aviation with caution. Like I said Good Luck!

Good point, favila.....along the degree suggestion lines, try ERAU online. They will give you a lot of credit for your ratings and/or previous college credit.

Forget it. You don't have a change. :D

Just kidding, I'm the same and I made it. The girls I taught how to fly are airline captains now. :confused:

The degree thing won't be an issue if you have life experience to off set it. The biggest thing is currency and recency of experience.

Got do a BFR. Get instrument current. Log 100 hrs or so in a quick amount of time (multi is certainly better). Get 100 ME under your belt, and get back to proficiency both in the airplane and with regards to knowledge.

If you really want to fly (and can "afford" to do so in all the various aspects of doing so), then you shouldn't have too much trouble once you get proficient again. 800/100 is pretty competitive for some of the smaller/starter regionals (Colgan for example).

ERAU is a very expensive online degree. I looked into it for a Master's. It was more than attending in person!? There are other places, and all of them are cheaper. Just pick a good acredited one.

Ha Ha!! Hey, I'm a girl, and I'm not a captain!! Guess some gots it, and some don'ts!!!!

What were you going to get your master's degree in Otto?