Decisions Decisions - to Flight School or hold off?

[crazypilot]

Hi All,

I wanted to ask this question, predominantly aimed at those who have recently completed ATPL training and those who have recently gained employment, as well as those who have been flying on the line for a few years now.

Background: I'm 30, turning 31, have a good amount of aviation experience since uni (Aero Eng & Airline Management), PPL, currently employed in a very interesting role within the airline industry and have saved up enough money in order to commence full-time Integrated training at one of the home flight schools.

Why integrated? I live abroad, outside the UK and any such flying training is not available here and because of work, I don't have adequate time to study for the ATPL groundschool in my spare time.

Situation: I've wanted to fly (as a career) my whole life. I still do. Finances and a medical "blip" a few years ago (all clear by EASA/CAA now) held me back, else I would have ideally started out on this career path 10 years ago.

I'm well aware that it's not easy at all getting a first job in the RHS of a jet. I'm also acutely aware of the major change in lifestyle that comes with changing career, going to the bottom of the ladder, salary 1/5 of what I get now etc. However, flying really is my passion and it's difficult to consider anything else as a career in the long-term. I'm also aware that at 31, age may cause an issue at some point, so don't want to leave it much longer to get going.

Advice Needed: I know none of us have a crystal ball and able to predict what the future may be, especially in this industry, but my mini (personal) dilemma now is whether to commence training this summer, or hold off a year. I've just been offered another position in the airline which is really interesting (and very related to fleets/flying) and I think I'd really enjoy it, so don't know whether to do this for a year and commence training when the economy has had a little longer to pick up, or just start training now. If I start now, I'll be completed by end of 2014 and 32 years old; if I wait a year, end 2015 and approaching 33.

So my question: What would you recommend, considering age, economic (hiring) situation etc? Will another year old be a big problem (I want to make this a career...shorthaul FO - Capt - longhaul FO - longhaul Capt - shorthaul Capt ;) )

Cheers. Appreciate there are many unknowns, but don't want to let my heart make too many uncalculated risks, that's all.

[B2N2]

Get started, worldwide things are getting better, Europe is lagging behind and have a large pool of wannabe's.
Don't go integrated, go modular.
That way you can keep your job and your income.
One rating/license a year and you will be done in three years.

[pakythepilot]

My opinion is to still keep your job and do a modular pathway. I know it is quite difficult to manage your training and your job together, but it's the painless way.

[factor-x]

I'm 29 and I'm currently enrolled in a flight instructor course, and I just took the plunge last thursday (April 4th, 2013). I sent an email to work saying that I was quitting, and turned in the company computer equipment, credit card, keys, magnetic acces cards, ID badge, and everything else the next day.

I was employed with a big multinational company (LG Electronics) making a nice 4 figure salary, as a matter of fact I was able to have access to credit to go back to school because of this job. I got my MEL rating back in December 2012. I´m already stuyind the question bank for the CFI exam.

I gotta tell you, taking the plunge is really a funny feeling. I have my severance pay coming up, which should be enough to pay bills for at least 2 or 3 months. I also have a girlfriend who is making about 3 times my last salary.

My decision is causing me to forget plans about getting a mortgage loan to buy an apartment anytime soon, and I have a place to stay because I still live with my dad. So food and shelter are not a problem. I´m not worried about credit card payments or loan payments since the severance pay will take care of that for the short term which will allow me to just concentrate on studying for the CFI written test, the oral test and the checkride.

Could I have waited a little bit longer and possibly make the transition a little easier on me? sure I could have done that, but that means that I would have had to wait until perhaps 2014 to make the switch.

I've been involved in aviation since 2006 when I started studying for the PPL, now its 2013 and I'm almost there, I almost got the CFI in my hands. That will allow me to build up time and professional aviation experience.

What are the repercusions for me?


Just joined the unemployed ranks
Might not be able to get a mortgage loan for an apartment
Will have to undergo a significant life style change to acommodate the loss of income
A little bit of anxiety since waking up and not going to work is not natural for me after all the time I put in with this company
I put significant financial pressure on my woman
After having completed the CFI course I will have to get an entry level job that will pay significantly less than what I was making at my last job
I will have to work as a CFI and hold another job to pay all my bills

Now the big question is....


Is it worth it?


Now you know for me, I'll trade the grey office building for the blue sky and the desk for the cockpit of even a cessna 172 any day. I just have the flying bug, that's who I am, I'm a pilot. I fly airplanes.



Like Da Vinci said, "for once you have tasted flight you will walk with your eyes turned skyward, because there you have been, and there you will long to return"


I gotta tell you, there is nothing that brings happines into my life as the feeling of serenity that I get when I'm up there manipulating the controls of an aircraft. This is the life I have chosen. I could not go on any more without flying. I had to be honest with myself about what I want to do with my life.



I just woke up one day and did it.