I have all my commercial requirements, I just need to learn the maneuvers and take the checkride. After that I was planning to do my CFI. However, my wife and I just had a baby and I am wondering if that would be the best move. With a Bachelors in Management and no job prospects with that I was thinking about going back to college for accounting. The starting pay is between 35-45K and I would be home every night. However, there is the possibility of earning that with 2nd to 3rd year FO pay and during tax time an accountant could spend between 50-80 a week at work. With a passion for aviation I would like to be able to fly often, but with a 40K salary that wouldn't seem possible. It would take be a little less than a year to complete the accounting degree. Any accountants out there with some info? Has anyone been able to start a flight career with a bunch of debt and a new family? What would be the best move? Just looking for some advice.

Thanks everyone.

Accountant. Fly for fun.

Accountant. Clear choice.

If you are good with numbers and feel confident in your accounting skills...accountant! For sure fly, its great, but continue to do it for fun on YOUR terms! If you suck with numbers like me, then maybe do the pilot thing.

Sorry, I just don't see an accountant having the thought process ,quick decision making skills to be a pilot.

Accountant, my wife earns 3x my 4th year FO pay.

What's best for the family in he long run? Which would yeild you the greatest amount of success and Happiness over a longer period of time? Only you can make that call, it's your life.

Well considering I am good stick who hates numbers, I got an A accounting I and a D in Accounting II (still made the honor role). If you understand accounting and can land a job that will benefit you and your family more in the short and long run, by all means do it, Aviation is a hard career on the family. AIDS: Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome...

You are still a private pilot. I think you should get your CFI first to learn what it is like to get paid to fly and then make your decision.

I work full time, go to graduate school full time, and still find about 15 hours a month to fly. If you want to experiment as a part time CFI while working on your accounting degree you can.

Assuming you have around 250 hours now, and get hired at a busy flight school, you may need to instruct for a number of years just to reach regional pilot minimums.

At my line of work I'm always working with airline pilots. I've learned that no one career path is the same for anyone. Some guys have never gotten furloughed and ride the waves very well with the same wife and make good money, others are on their 5th furlough and on their 3rd marriage working dead end part time jobs.

Consequently, I'd urge you to consider the common denominators that you'll find in both industries. This world needs both professions.

You have a family and one of your examples is weighing the time away from them as a pilot versus tax season as an accountant. Can you honestly tell your family that living around 200 days a year in a hotel is going to be fine?


checkout the sticky thread by rickair7777. There's a pretty good link on there that helped me make my decision.

As always.... good luck!