Expert: D. Norkus - 3/26/2006

Question
i have my private pilots license, and i love flying.  I have been told that the aviation industry is run on pilots who are never home with there families and that its really an industry for single people.  I have strong desires for a sucessful family, and that worried me.  And flight training is so expensive anyway.  My friend calls it a rich mans sport.  What are some career opprotunites in Aviation that are family friendly? and how do you get training without joining the military or selling your soul?  Thank you

Answer
"I have been told that the aviation industry is run on pilots who are never home with there families and that its really an industry for single people. I have strong desires for a sucessful family, and that worried me."

There are many families that function just fine in the airline business. It is all a matter of adjusting to the lifestyle- and that is exactly what it truly is. Most of my co-workers are married. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it works for many. They also say many crews get "AIDS: Airline Indcued Divorce Syndrome"

I think the best thing you can do is pursue the career you want and be happy. Only if you can make yourself happy, can you then make a spouse happy and have the life you want. I have friends who have sacrificed what they want to make peace at home and it never works. They end up divorced and finding a new spouse who supports their goals.

A site of interest- http://www.pilotfamilies.com

That said, depending on what company you fly for and where you are based, your time away may be minimal. I fly 4 day trips with 3 overnights per week. I commute to my base by air as I live 120 miles away, although I can drive if need be. The trips I fly quite often give me overnights at home. So of my 3 nights at work, one is in my own bed so that is 5 nights at home a week. Airlines also have "day trips". These are a series of round trips that end in base so you are in base every night without overnights. That means if you live in base, you go home every night. Other trips are two or three days where you only have one or two nights away.

"And flight training is so expensive anyway. My friend calls it a rich mans sport. What are some career opprotunites in Aviation that are family friendly? and how do you get training without joining the military or selling your soul?

Sorry, but I am a lifetime airline brat and am not up on the "family friendly" flying jobs as I got into this to travel. I suggest going to the forums at http://forums.flightinfo.com or http://www.jetcareers.com and asking over there.

Yes, training is expensive, but you just have to pay for it as it's an investment in yourself/your career-just like being a doctor, lawyer or MBA. (Sallie Mae has some good loans if you need them.) Figure about $40K if done via a reasonable flying school or club. Read my site about training and schools vs clubs- http://www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

FlightInfo.com also has page about time building ideas that save some cash. You should also check into flight scholarships. Try www.Avscholars.com or search the net for "flight scholarships" (enclosed inside quotations when you search!). There are many organizations that provide grants. You can also get involved with the Civil Air Patrol or Aviation Explorer Scouts of BSA if you fall in a certain age group. You may find some very affordable training options there:

http://www.aviationexploring.org
http://www.cap.gov

Good Luck with your decision,

Dottie