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jgrant · May 8th, 2008, 18:38

When I started out in aviation as a youngster my career goal was to become an airline pilot. Things went well through my PPL and part way into my instrument rating, then life happened. I got married, changed majors, etc. all with the expectation that I would start flying again at some point. Well, I am now 31, have added 3 kids to the mix, a mortgage, and I pay the bills with a job in the software industry. Growing up the only thing I ever wanted to be in life was a pilot. I am slowly realizing that my dreams of flying for the airlines someday may be moving ever further away from reality. Sure, it would be doable but not without a lot of undue stress placed on my family. Instead, I have thought about the possibility of finishing up my ratings and instructing part time while keeping my day job.

When I first started out back in college I made the choice to borrow money to fly. I now pay over $200 per month back on my loan and it kills me to think I have dished out all that money and am no longer using my license. If I could figure out a way financially to train to be a CFI I think it would satisfy my hunger to stay in the aviation community while at the same time help pay back the loan I used to pay for my flying in the first place. I have around 130 hours TT and have a lot of requirements for the instrument completed. I am figuring I will need around $12,000 more to finish up and start instructing (could be more if the gas price trend continues).

Am I crazy to look at this as an investment and finance the rest of my ratings with a loan? I cannot afford to pay for training out of pocket and do not foresee being able to do that into the distant future. Do I just tell myself to forget about flying until I am old and gray and can finally afford it? I am faced with the real possibility of having to get a second job soon anyway ("Welcome to WalMart!"), for me it almost makes sense to finish up my ratings, start instructing on the side, and supplement my income with flying rather than flipping burgers. I would like opinions from you CFIs out there. Where I have already "invested" in aviation with a loan, would it make sense to borrow enough to start instructing and pay off my aviation debts with aviation? As it stands right now I feel like the $200+ per month to pay off the loan is going into a black hole and I don't even get to fly!

May 8th, 2008, 18:38	#1
jgrant Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 11	CFI on the side When I started out in aviation as a youngster my career goal was to become an airline pilot. Things went well through my PPL and part way into my instrument rating, then life happened. I got married, changed majors, etc. all with the expectation that I would start flying again at some point. Well, I am now 31, have added 3 kids to the mix, a mortgage, and I pay the bills with a job in the software industry. Growing up the only thing I ever wanted to be in life was a pilot. I am slowly realizing that my dreams of flying for the airlines someday may be moving ever further away from reality. Sure, it would be doable but not without a lot of undue stress placed on my family. Instead, I have thought about the possibility of finishing up my ratings and instructing part time while keeping my day job. When I first started out back in college I made the choice to borrow money to fly. I now pay over $200 per month back on my loan and it kills me to think I have dished out all that money and am no longer using my license. If I could figure out a way financially to train to be a CFI I think it would satisfy my hunger to stay in the aviation community while at the same time help pay back the loan I used to pay for my flying in the first place. I have around 130 hours TT and have a lot of requirements for the instrument completed. I am figuring I will need around $12,000 more to finish up and start instructing (could be more if the gas price trend continues). Am I crazy to look at this as an investment and finance the rest of my ratings with a loan? I cannot afford to pay for training out of pocket and do not foresee being able to do that into the distant future. Do I just tell myself to forget about flying until I am old and gray and can finally afford it? I am faced with the real possibility of having to get a second job soon anyway ("Welcome to WalMart!"), for me it almost makes sense to finish up my ratings, start instructing on the side, and supplement my income with flying rather than flipping burgers. I would like opinions from you CFIs out there. Where I have already "invested" in aviation with a loan, would it make sense to borrow enough to start instructing and pay off my aviation debts with aviation? As it stands right now I feel like the $200+ per month to pay off the loan is going into a black hole and I don't even get to fly!