Thoughts:-
- As a fellow engineer (albeit of a rather different flavour) I use my CPL TK most days in some capacity, probably more than I use it flying. That may just agree with those who say it's irrelevant to flying and written by engineers and ex-navigators mind you.
- The IMCR, apart from now being called the IR(R) remains relevant, very useful, with a life going well into the future yet.
- Teaching, remunerated, on microlights is also open to you, either with an FI Microlight ticket, or FI plus significant microlight time.
- Personally I'm a CRI rather than an FI, and I've no aspiration to be a full time instructor. But I get a lot of satisfaction from doing 30ish hours per year of instructing slottedd around the day job. If you want to dip your toe in the water, the CRI course is much cheaper and quicker than the FI course, although there's only minimal credit over to the FI course if you do that later.
G