To Do It Or Not......
 

Well, I find myself at a wrenching decision that I just can not bring myself to decide on. I am not a pilot, so I am not contemplating a leave from the career. However, given the thread that this is going in, I can foresee some of the responses (I just did not know where else to post this). I am actually thinking of starting my path into aviation, at 32 years of age.

I was born into the industry and left it on my own, to pursue my own goals. Here I am, already jaded from the corporate world and vowing to never return, to bust my @ZZ for the man. Should I enter aviation, I do know how expensive it would be and how long of a road it would be. However, I do not want to get into 121. I thought perhaps I would go into 135 or 91, but I found out where I would want to be. My goal in aviation would be to fly for a state Game and Fish agency. I may never get rich doing it but flying on wildlife surveys, poaching stings, etc. would be my cup of tea.

Now here is the issue..............

I am 32, which doesn't bother me, however, I have a job that I enjoy but I may only make $30K this year. Next year will probably be around 35K +, and I am starting my own Web Design/Development business. In two years or so, between the two jobs, I figure to be around $50K, while making my own schedule and planning my own life. However, I will not have a 401k, a pension fund, benefits, etc. and I will be providing my own insurance.

If the web business is successful, I can utilize it as supplemental income while I am earning my ratings and building time. I can continue to use the business, if it is successful to earn money while flying period. I am just having a difficult time trying to decide whether I should spend roughly 10K to 15K to start my own gig and see where it goes, or if I should jump into flight training while working the current job.

Again, I can understand most of the suggestions will be negative, however, I would really like to hear the opinions (both good and bad) from those who have been there. Also, what do you folks think of my current situation compared to what it may be (if the business is successful or if I enter aviation).

Thanks!

You sound like you have a good grip on this and are proceeding with an appropriate mix of passion and reason. I am not much of a financial success personally, just an average earner but I found a happy balance between paying bills and feeding my passion to fly. In my case it was a mix of office life and flying. Most pilots will tell you having rods in multiple fires is the only way to pursue an aviation career because of the inherent instability in aviation. So even if you decide to be a real live pilot one day, you are never going to want to relinquish those side gigs. So, my advice is to do all of it. Try to develop the web development business, keep your day job for now, and be as vigorous as possible gathering flight ratings. Do not take out loans for any of them. I repeat, do not take out any loans for them. Doing all this is a tall order but it can be done. Your flying will probably always be a net loser in terms of finances, but not doing what you love is sort of like not living. Good luck, you have a lot to do and many enriching experiences to gain.

Man life's short, Live it.

That said be realistic about what you are doing. Aviation is a tough business. I have personally worked for three outfits that no longer exist. I got out of it once and it sucked me back in. You have to consider that you want to get into a very narrow segment of aviation. And one, which being a government job, a lot of people are going to be competing for. I don't know anyone in this business who got their dream job on the first, second, or third try, outside of military drivers.

Bearing that in mind good luck.

It appears you have thought it out thoroughly, in the end no one can make the decision for you. I guess I would try my dream, you will find out fast if this is something you can and want to do.

Gov't preferences
 

I'm suprised nobody has addressed the obvious. Which is.......

Are you a....minority, former fed employee, or veteran etc. otherwise your odds are slim for getting the job even with amazing flight time. They have their point system for hiring.

Good luck with what you decide.

Yeah right now that is true, but if the economy doesn't collapse, aviation could see a big upward trend in the next couple years. He COULD have a shot...

Heart Set
 

I would not get your heart set on only one job. Fish and Game flying jobs do not come open all that often. I would get into flying because you love to fly and not because you have a specific job in mind. By the time you get there most likely the conditions will have changed.

If you would not be happy flying for Mesa or any other company then perhaps you should reconsider. It can take many years to build a resume that will attract fish and game and by then they could have sold the plane and hired a contractor. In any case a lot could happen to spoil your plans.

Hope for the best but plan for the worst. If you do than then aviation shall not disappoint.

Skyhigh

There are some great state flying jobs along with fed jobs, but as mentioned above very difficult to get in the door. I recently applied for a National Park Service position, scored a 98 in fact. I received an email from the recruiting facility which read "not referred to selecting official". There's also a couple of people who got into the FSDO due to the fact that they had internal recs.

GO FOR THE FLYING CAREER!!!! Attitude is everything and you can make it happen.

You only live once. Go for it. Don't be close minded though. Be open to different kinds of flying and perhaps your dream may change.

:D If you want a State/Federal DOA Wildlife/Forest Service job then you are just leaving one man for another!
USAJOBS - Search Jobs

Here is an example of the job that you are looking for. You would start out as a GS-9 (those pay scales plus locality pay can be found on-line. No secret there). Check out the flight time requirements for the entry requirements and then the times required for possible entry at GS-12.

Not all will be negative as you have seen, but most will be realistic.
Ski Patrol brought up an extremely important part of the prospect in these current times. You will need veteran's points or apply to an INTERNAL announcement (already in a federal job and looking to switch) in order to even get invited to an interview right now.

clipperskipper said:
I'm not sure how the FSDO might work, but right now, internal recommendations don't get you anything towards the Federal service. You have to make it past the HR folks first and that means that your application has to meet all of the requirements - in this case I'm speaking of the above mentioned veteran's preference points for an EXTERNAL announcement. And it isn't just the 5 points preference, but may be more competitive with more points required!
Now once you have made it to an interview and are sitting in front of the board (plus oral plus flight eval), I could see how having a few internal recs might be a good thing towards you getting the nod.

USMCFLYR

So after some time, since starting this thread, some things have changed, as they always seem to do. Below is the following set of circumstances. Please offer your thoughts based on the information that is provided.

1. My current position is not in trouble, yet. The owner of the company is going through a divorce and the business may not last another 12 months. While I enjoy what I do, the pay just doesn't cut it.

2. I applied to, and hope to be interviewing for a non-flying position, with a state Game and Fish agency, in their aviation department. The position pays more than I make now, it provides government benefits and its a foot in the door to advance to other areas within Game and Fish. The position would also allow me to have face time at the airport and meet people and fly after work. Sounds like a decent opportunity, if it comes to be.

3. I have been offered a Sales/Design position with a very reputable swimming pool manufacturer. The realistic earning potential is pretty darn good. Possibly $45 to $50 the first year, $75 the second year and $100+ after year three. That being said, the position is as an independent contractor. I'd have to expense everything, pay my own health insurance, depreciate my vehicle, etc., and this is a commission only position.

Based on the above, what are the thoughts of those who are earning a living as a pilot currently, or used to? Thankx!

Can you do both? Web design and fly? That would be an idea situation.