Expert: David A. NewMyer - 2/19/2004

Question
David,

I'm a 46-year-old, burnt-out IT professional seeking a new career.  I've always been interested in aviation, and I'm planning on getting my private pilot license in the next few months.

What are the chances of someone my age with no flying experience breaking into aviation and still making a living as a pilot?  Or am I just dreaming?  I realize that I would have to take a severe salary cut at first.  But I feel it would be worth it to do something I truly enjoy for a change.

And if aviation is a viable career, would it be worth my while to attend an aviation school where I can get my ratings and a degree?

Thanks,
John

Answer
Hi, John:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist!

You have hit on four of the key issues that you face in making this career change:

1.  Timing and your age:  age 60 is the mandatory retirment age for pilots in command at airlines according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.  In other words, you can not fly as a pilot in command at an airline after your 60th birthday BUT you can do almost any other flying job (charter, corporate, flight instruction, etc) unless a particular company policy prohibits it.

2.  Salary cuts:  Yes, beginning pilots do not make what IT professionals make.  So, it will be a few years of "pork and beans" time before you get back to a comfortable salary level.  A beginning flight instructor here at the university where I work (with a BS degree and about 400 hours of flight time) makes $1750 a month.  In those places where flight instructors are not salaried, then they make $8 to 12 an hour for actual dual flight instruction given.  After you achieve 1000 to 1500 hours of total pilot in command time, you can move up to other flying jobs that begin to pay more.

3.  Education and training:  You asked about attending an aviation school where you can obtain your ratings and an aviation degree.  The first question is:  DO YOU ALREADY HAVE A DEGREE, but, not necessarily in aviation?  The airlines or the other companies that hire pilots want a degree but they do not demand an aviation degree...so, if you have a degree already, you might want to just pursue the ratings.  It will be faster and time is of the essence for you at age 46.  To pursue the ratings quickly, you can check into one of the industry-based flight schools such as FLIGHT SAFETY ACADEMY, DELTA AIRLINES ACADEMY, PAN AM INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY, SOUTHEASTERN FLIGHT ACADEMY OR SIERRA ACADEMY, to name a few.  The specialize in doing ratings in a hurry and also many have some good placement programs with regional airlines and other employers.  They advertise on the net and also in publications like FLYING magazine.

If, however, you do not have a degree, there is a great directory available called THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE which you can order from the University Aviation Association at (phone) 334-844-2434 or email them at uaa@auburn.edu to order.  

4.  Is aviation a viable industry?  The answer here is yes...it employs over 2.0 million people including about 700,000 with airlines, 600,000+ with aviation manufacturers, 638,000 with general aviation and about 175,000 with government aviation entities at the federal, state and local levels.  

The really big issue/question is this:  Should you make this change?  Most of this is up to you.  What is it that makes you happy?  Why are you thinking of making a change?  Can you afford to make the change without impacting your family/personal situation too much?  Bottom line is that everyone SHOULD be doing something at work every day that they love to do....

One suggestion to you is, if you do not have your FAA Private Pilot Certification, is to pursue that locally at a local flight school to simply "try it out."  This initial license is not an easy one to get and will be instructive as to the hard work you have ahead.  It might give you a few of the answers you are looking for....if you really love it, for example, that might be one of the keys to your overall decision to leave IT and go to aviation.

Best wishes to you and follow up with another question via Allexperts if you feel the need,

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu