IR or FI?
Hiya all.
I am trying to put a plan together for my flight training in the future, and have already decided that due to financial limitations to go down the modular route. However, I am at a bit of a loss when it comes to the later stages of the training and wondered if you could advise me please. The plan is to get a PPL and night rating, then to go down the distance learning route for the ATPL whilst hour building, then to get a CPL/MECR (combined course).
Then I can see two options. Do I:
a) Get a FI rating, leave a well paid engineering job to build hours.
Or
b) Go on to get an IR and then JOC/CRM and then try for the airlines.
The advantages for a) is that I would be building hours, and gaining experience in a flying environment whilst doing something that I enjoy (teaching people!). The disadvantage I can see is that I would strugle financialy with the cost of living, let alone 13K for the IR and then there's the JOC/CRM. Also I may have missed out an opporunity to apply for the airlines (no IR).
On the other hand b) would mean I kept my well paid job but after getting an IR and JOC/MECR I would struggle to get an FI as well. The chances of getting a job straight out of training are minimal and may have dug myself into a hole here. Then again I may get lucky...
Also I am wondering what my bosses attitude would be in my engineering job. If they knew I was training to be a pilot and leave engineering they may take a dim view on me.
My logic is that b) would be the better option as although I am not building hours, I am still in employment, and with b) I do not HAVE to get a FI rating weras with a) I do have to get an IR. What do you all think? Bearing in mind that whilst yes, being an FI is a means to build hours, I do enjoy teaching people and would not be a burdan for my students.
Cheers
Richard