Expert: D. Norkus - 11/19/2007

Question
Hello Dottie,
About 10 years ago I started flying with the intention to pursue an aviation career, but due to family issues had to put a hold on my flying plans and even thought that I would be too old to get back to it. Last time I flew was around 1999 and went as far as getting my Private and started my IFR training, logging some 150hrs altogether in the process. Today I’m 37 years old, and talking to a buddy that just recently started flying and is a couple of years younger sparked the interest once again.  I have 2 questions:  1- About how much money would I need until my Commercial License and can make a living flying?  2- My wife and I are newlyweds and eventually we want to have kids, what is the pilot job that allows for most time with family, would something like Flight Instructor be a reasonable source of income?
Thank you very much for your time and response.

Sam.  

Answer
Sam

1) About how much money would I need until my Commercial License and can make a living flying?

Your actual cost will depend on the rental rates in your area and how quickly you progress through your instrument, commercial and multi-engine. It has been years since I paid and the rates have changed. Using the cost estimates from this excellent site for pilots, http://www.flightinfo.com/learntofly.htm as a guide, figure $3,500-$4,000 for new ratings and certificate training. Adding 20% would be an even safer number. You can combine some of the hours to fulfill overlapping requirements but either way you are going to have to fund aircraft rental for another 100 hours to get to the minimum for the commercial certificate while you work on your ratings & commercial training. (That alone should run you almost 10 grand for 90 single engine and 10 multi hours.) Once you get your commercial certificate you can get a job (like towing banners or dropping skydivers) so you don't have to rent to build time. You can also get your additional instructor certificates and teach until you have about 500 flight hours at a minimum to get an airline interview. (Seeing as that is my experience, I am coming at it assuming you'll consider that career.) Many regionals now accept resumes with only 500-800 hours (100 of which are multi-engine aircraft) but some still want the old standard of 1,000 hours.

You also have the option of going to a 'fast track' airline affiliated program and knocking out all your ratings & commercial in just a few months then when you graduate you are guaranteed a regional interview. Such programs can cost up to $50K but you get an interview at about 300-400 flight hours, instead of the 500-800 or more usually required, to jump start your career.

Being 37, I am not sure how urgently you want to start a new career. If you were to get your times up to regional airline minimums, that would be at least 500TT, you'd have to fly at least 10 hours per month to finish in 3 years. or 15/mo to do it in 2 years. An academy program would be a few months. It really depends on your money and time constraints.

Also, I cannot stress enough the financial sacrifices you are going to have to make to get into this career. Flight training expenses aside, you will have a few years of pretty low wages. Starting pay is on average about $21,000 and it may take several years to see the $30,000 mark. I suggest getting as debt free as you can before you make the leap. As a newlywed, the pay and change of lifestyle can very much affect your marriage. You both need to work out a financial plan for this to be a success and she needs to be supportive of your career change- even if it means she has to make some sacrifices as well (and she surely will). Sites for her to check out are- http://www.pilotfamilies.com/ & http://jetgirls.net/ for what to expect.

2)My wife and I are newlyweds and eventually we want to have kids, what is the pilot job that allows for most time with family, would something like Flight Instructor be a reasonable source of income?

There are some pilot jobs that are home every night, however as an airline pilot who goes on overnight trips 3 nights per week, I have not experienced that. Some airline pilots have the seniority or tenure to bid 'day trips' or a sequence of flights that comes home every night. If you chose to live other than where you are based, like myself, then you will want overnights so you have a place to stay at night. (Overnights also increase your pay as you get extra money for time away.) While airline flying takes you away for a few days, when you are off, you can be home 24/7. It's a trade off. I know two corporate pilots and both seem to be home quite a bit. Of course both are on call and may have to fly away for any number of days at a moments notice but that is the life they agreed to. At least with an airline you know your days off.

Re: flight instruction
There are some people out there who do it for a living but I can't comment on their quality of life. I did recently see an add on the internet for a school hiring CFIs for $35K/yr but I don't know if that is average or above. Most CFIs I personally knew have two jobs. I suggest investigating that avenue further at the message boards on these websites:

http://www.flightinfo.com
http://www.jetcareers.com

If you want to know more about corporate or other kinds flying, the forums at both links would be a great place to start. Additionally, I think you should check out these airline career links to help you get more info on that career:

http://www.pilotcareer.info
http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com

Hope this can help get you started on your career decision,

Dottie