Can't decide what to do.
 

Hi, I'm really looking for opinions on this.
I am 50 and have just been made redundant, I currently have a PPL with IMC rating. I am thinking of getting a CPL and instructors rating to go into instructing full time.
I really can't decide if I should study to obtain the CPL/FI ratings full time by modular route or remain a PPL and look for another 9-5 job and fly for fun as I do now.
I really want to study full time but I know the market right now and the difficulty of obtaining work once qualified and if I understand correctly I will only be able to instruct until I am 60.
I am really looking for opinions as to the financial commitment/risk. I know it will be fulfilling to instruct.

Thanks in advance.

fulfilling!
 

if you have financial responsibility of any kind, give up the notion of instructing for a living.

sure its nifty but come on

if you are rich, do it...if you need to earn a living find a job, rent a plane once in awhile

You could always do a CRI Rating initially, get paid as a PPL doing CRI work and see how it goes?

It's a very large financial commitment, and not a particularly sensible one to go into full time instructing. You will *not* be able to make the investment back in any reasonable time frame, and the wages/salary for a full time instructor only become livable on if you get up to CPL or IR instructing. Which generally speaking, you'll need commercial flying experience to do.

You will also find it hard to get a full time FI job as a newly minted FI instructor, unless you know someone 'on the inside'.

I know many instructors who are still working into their 70s.

My recommendation to you would be to look for another 9-5 job, do the theory/FI course in your spare time, (under EASA you can now be paid as a PPL FI) and then instruct for fun. Don't bet the farm.

I was in a similar situation. In my 50s and saw redundancy coming. So I did the CPL theory by distance learning during my last year of employment and then the FI course as soon as I was made redundant. I now instruct on my PPL, I can see no point in completing the CPL since instruction is the only paid flying that I intend to do (you can be paid to instruct on a PPL under EASA).

As a PPL with a reasonable amount of experience my goal was to put something back into flying and to give me something to do after finishing 'proper work', the money is secondary. As others have said you are most unlikely to make a living from PPL level instruction in the UK.

There is no age limit for instructors, so long as you keep your medical.

Hope that helps.

Study your position
 

Its not a easy and cheap way to go. You have to decide what is your expatations of this plan. This particular business is very profitable but you have to invest some money in yourself before getting this. Forget your age because we have instructors older than 70.

Regards

Thanks everyone for the replies and suggestions. I was initially thinking of the CRI route but when redundancy came I had a bit of a rethink. I think I will probably do the theory/FI rating and instruct PPL.

Do it because you genuinely enjoy it and not to get rich, as it ll probably still cost you once you factor in petrol, licenses etc!

I was in a similar situation a few years back. I had the opportunity to take early retirement and a generous redundancy package at age 51. I spent roughly £25 k on the CPL and FI rating and I now work 4 days per week at a local school. I am fortunate in that I can live on my pension. My earnings as an instructor are more or less offset by my expenses, so my net additional income is zero.

I don't regret the decision at all, but as others have said, don't do it if you need the money. The job itself is very satisfying but can be frustrating at times, especially on the no-fly days.

Thanks for the info and advice. As I said I think I will just instruct PPl for the enjoyment and find another full time job- hopefully.

Dobbin, do you instruct PPL or CPL or both?

PPL and aerobatics only. There is more money in CPL training, but I don't really want to go that way.

Ok thanks, I was just curious.