Don't hang up those David-Clarks just yet.

Is it single-engine IFR or single pilot IFR that you're concerned with. Having survived a single-engine night time engine failure and subsequently dead sticked the airplane to the second center line stripe of a runway with no runway lights I can sympathize with your hesitancy regarding single-engine night or hard IFR. However, single-pilot IFR is an opportunity for both learning and personal achievement. The outcome of a challenging flight is the sole result of your actions and decision making. That is something you will draw on for the rest of your career. You mention that you will happily be a CFII, but how will you teach someone something you are unwilling to do? How will you get pic actual instrument time?

As a contrast, the day after I got my instrument ticket it was 004 ovc with 3/4 sm vis all day. I went up by myself in a 172 for three hours and shot multiple ILS, NDB, and VOR approaches to several airports and held on several navaids and intersections just to prove to myself I could do it and I thought it was cool. Seems a little foolish to me today (should have used a twin) but that kind of experience and resulting confidence comes in handy in a pilots life.

Your reluctance to single-engine hard and night IFR may be some early wisdom but any similar feelings toward single pilot IFR may belie an illogical cowardice or lack of confidence that will need to be addressed.

Try riding along with some experienced pilots on some of their more difficult weather missions. The more you do it, learn, and gain real world experience the more your confidence and skill in commanding an aircraft in the soup by yourself will increase.

Good Luck.

my dad is an optometrist and wants me to follow in his footsteps. starting pay right outta optometry school for a private practice OD is 80K. i gotta tell ya. that is sounding really tempting. but i know i will always wonder how my life would have been as a pilot. flying is something i have always wanted to do. it is a big part of my life. i love it. and i dont think i would get the same out of it flying a cub vs. flying a 737

"i just dont find it enjoyable to be flying single engine over mountains or water at night"

Outside of Caravan's jobs and Ram Air freight, most night IFR 135 freight is in twins. If it's the single engine aspect that bothers you, then don't take a single engine job. Single pilot IFR shouldn't scare you. That's what getting your IFR rating in the first place is all about.

I think you may be right..........

no it's not single pilot IFR that bothers me, it's single engine night IFR that does. thanks for the advice guys

150 hours......ask yourself the same question when you hit 1500.

You might not be scared as much, and your flying skills will definately improve.

I'm currently flying 135 in the Beechcraft 99. While the equipment is ghetto, they're actually fun to fly. And yes, it is night IFR....but the way I look at it is that it's multi turbine time that's giving me more IFR experience and keeping my scan strong. That can't be a bad thing when I finally get the chance to transition to the regionals. And although I've only been flying this gig since September, I've already noticed a change in my confidence and attitude. Overall, I'm really glad that I did this.

Your Dads career or yours?
 

Your DAD?????
Much respect to your family but you have to follow YOUR dreams kid. Sure you can be an optometrist and make 80K starting out but, money is not going to buy you the happiness that flying will bring... plus there are no flight attendants :)

As far as the single engine IFR I can see where your comming from been there done it but like the previous post said once you get some hours under your belt and a IFR ticket it'll be second nature to you. One last thing EVERY ONE (if some one tells you different they're just boosting their own ego) has scared themselves in actual before either not paying attention while the auto-pilot is flying or in the right seat not paying attention to the death trap in the left... Good Luck and keep on living your dream

I can attest to that! :D

"Happiness" won't buy you a house or put your kids through college...
Once you have a family or a girlfriend that doesn't eat bacon for breakfast fat and old flight attendants won't rock your world too much.