I'm retiring from the Air Force in Jan 2023 at age 44. If it looks like the aviation industry is on an upswing by then, I plan to start a commercial pilot training track at Blue Line Aviation. If not, I've got a BS in electrical engineering and a MS in project management to fall back on. So far, I've got the cash to pay for school without loans and a lifetime of retirement checks from Uncle Sugar. With about 9 months of training and 20-24 months of instructing I should be entering the job market in mid 2025 at age 47 with no debt. It feels like a solid plan but I'm always open to feedback!