Another Career Changer - 35

[sdfcvoh]

This has got to be starting to sound like a broken record - but at 35 my wife and I are leaving Ohio in three months so that I can pursue the dream of being a commercial pilot. Luckily we've got a house to sell which should pay for the training, too.

I do have a huge question, though. Can any of you recommend a training program in the Tuscon area (or anywhere) with decent flight school/cost, cost of living, and anything else I might be missing.

Thanks for reading!
-Scott

[Ian J]

Welcome aboard, Scott!

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Welcome aboard, but why leaving lovely OHIO???

[sdfcvoh]

ah, Lovely Ohio. 6 Weeks ago the daytime highs were in the single digits with wind-chills well below zero. I'll miss it terribly next year when I'm getting a tan in AZ.

[aloft]

When you're getting a tan?! More like sweating your balls off sitting on the ramp in an un-airconditioned 172 in triple-digit heat!

That's !!!

[sdfcvoh]

ah grasshopper - so true! (but with less frostbite!)

Originally Posted by aloft

When you're getting a tan?! More like sweating your balls off sitting on the ramp in an un-airconditioned 172 in triple-digit heat!

That's !!!

[desertdog71]

Nothing like trip digits and updrafts from hell to mix your chips and salsa for ya.

Welcome aboard the mid life crisis, my old job sucks and I wanna fly express. I am guilty as charged.

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Let me know more about your plans!

I sent you a PM also.

[DE727UPS]

Take the money from the house and buy yourself a little plane. You can find a CFI to work with you. You'll should be able to save some money, this way, and you'll have the fun and education of owning your own plane. Cessna 150/152's can burn autogas, which is much cheaper than avgas. Also, you can find these aircraft with basic IFR equipment so you can get your Private, IFR, and do some of the commercial flying in it. Also, it's a cheap timebuilder and you could use it to free-lance instruct in if you so desire.

[sdfcvoh]

Interesting! I've thought a bit about doing that - but I'm not sure about the where and how since I'm so green about which used planes would be safe/not safe financially to purchase.
In the long run, being able to train in my own plane would be great. It would also allow me to sell it later. Can you offer any more detail on your advice? Thanks!
-Scott

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

Take the money from the house and buy yourself a little plane. You can find a CFI to work with you. You'll should be able to save some money, this way, and you'll have the fun and education of owning your own plane. Cessna 150/152's can burn autogas, which is much cheaper than avgas. Also, you can find these aircraft with basic IFR equipment so you can get your Private, IFR, and do some of the commercial flying in it. Also, it's a cheap timebuilder and you could use it to free-lance instruct in if you so desire.

[Stoneage]

I recommend doing your intital training in someone else's airplane. You are going to abuse the plane more in the first 10 to 15 hours of training than you will in the following 100 hours. You also do not know how well you fit into the various airplanes available. Get your private, then fly several different aircraft before taking the plunge and buying one. If a plane is uncomfortable you will not do well to train in it. If you can find a plane that is suited to you, that is economical to operate (Low Fuel Burn!), reliable (not down for maintenance every time you want to fly), and that your wife likes (this is very important). you could save a bundle on rental costs. Buy it, fly the pants off of it (a minimum of 150 hours in a year), and sell it after you get your ratings. I would avoid anything retractable (due to the increased maintenance cost vs. fixed gear) and anything unusual or rare (parts may be impossible to obtain and down time can make up most of the time of ownership). Before buying and airplane get to know some aircraft owners and find out as much as you can about the costs of ownership and most importantly which mechanic or shop they take their plane to.
Good luck and have fun. -- StoneAge

[88MPH]

Originally Posted by Stoneage

If a plane is uncomfortable you will not do well to train in it.

I used to mow grass for a guy named Rich Creadore of Head East. I talked to him about a career playing guitar and if he had any advice on learning. "If the guitar doesn't feel good in your hands, you're always going to play like $#!T" I believe the same principle applys.

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

Can any of you recommend a training program in the Tuscon area (or anywhere) with decent flight school/cost, cost of living, and anything else I might be missing.

I have lived in Tucson for about 4 years now. I took my PPL at one school, then switched to a 141 school in Marana for my IR+CPL. PM me and I'll be more than happy do give you the details, as well as anything else ya may wanna know about the area.

--John

[TheAlchemist]

Hey Scott man...I wish you the best of luck in persuing your dream!

[meyer336]

Check out www.raaflightschools.com they are located in Phoenix, Az I don't how far away that is. Hope it helps

[Naluryder]

Originally Posted by meyer336

Check out www.raaflightschools.com they are located in Phoenix, Az I don't how far away that is. Hope it helps

I almost went to RAA but chose not to because it was steep$$. Just depends how much profit you'll make from your home sale. I would also suggest you find a part time job for the first six months so if you end up renting they want to know if you're employed..what about health insurance? You can go solo and pay for it on your own with you and the wife. I payed $172.00 a month 2 years ago rates now its going up to $225 a mo. in July. Look and research all the schools on this site and visit them when you can don't put down large sum $$ pay for 10 hr blocks.
I was in your situation two years ago. Money runs out fast...because your not emplyed anymore. Hey I lived in Hawaii and sold my house in 2005 made a killing...paid off all my bills and bought a used honda when I moved here to the mainland. After much research RAA,PAN AM, WESTWIND, ATP..SKYMATES. I chose Skymates here in the DFW area. I'm in the Air Force so I had to find a unit to pull my reserve duties and the cost of living is a bit more feasable...but you know what coming from a high cost of living to a lower one it did'nt really make so much of a difference. In Hawaii my electric bill was under $55 a mo. here in TX its about triple summer or winter and sales tax is double?? Anyhow. I worked for Airtran for a while at DFW but pay was just to low..I wanted to get a foot in the door..I resigned on good terms after one year. I got lucky and got a full time slot on my reserve base and I work 10hr days four days a week off Sat-Sun-Mon..so I have three days to fly up to twice a day..and in the summer I can add a few more. Just finished my PPL and now working on my INS/time building for COMM.

The greatest advise I can give you is...money management..why ? because you will be living off your savings. Pay off what you can..If its possible can you afford to finance your flying?? SLM? Use other peoples money like how we used the banks money for our mortages and only if you can afford to..man you are going to miss owning your own pad?? Me and the wife swore to never rent again..we rented for the first year and decided to buy another home here in TX..its a small cozy cottage and it beats paying the same as rent when you can't claim a thing??so our mortgage is just like paying rent and I laugh because its cheaper then when we were renting and we are just 5 minutes from DWNtown Fort Worth..So when I've completed my flight training and ready to get employed by who knows ??I can sell again and keep the profits for my first airline job home...LOL...sorry for rambling on...but #1 advice is check your finances #2. budget wisely #3. Do your homework..don't believe the hype..take your time..I'll be the same age as you this month on the 19th of May..LOL..one of my instructors was also a career changer and in his mid 40s he just got picked up with Eagle..so the age thing is a myth. I would be happy flying a regional topping out at $90K. I would still be able to pay my mortgage and still have the same lifestyle..still be happy or work for the FAA as an AI topping out at 115K still be happy why cause I'll be flying...

Feel free to PM me anytime I can look for the health insurance info I got. There is no turning back once you've taken the plunge...we are all risk takers..Aloha!!!!

[sschlesinger]

I myself am in the same boat as far as a new career, I myself also live in Tucson. I will be starting my aviation courses in July. I am attending Cochise College to get my ppl up to cfi the rates are not bad. However I was able to get a few grants to off set the total cost of just under 40000 I think I will have to pay about 28000 after grants. Even though Cochise is far away from Tucson they offer 2 year degree courses at TIA. Here is a link to Cohise's aviation web site. http://www.cochise.edu/deptsdirs/avi...pftresfees.asp So in short welcome to sunny Tucson and be ready for the 108 degree days.

[sdfcvoh]

Thanks for the recent posts and advice. I'll try to be brief - but - may ramble!

Luckily, we've been very cautious over the years financially. I've owned some apartments, therefor most of the mortgage was paid by renters and we've been able to save quite a bit while building equity. My wife, a teacher, will hopefully be able to find work. (and is searching presently in Tucson - anyone know of good schools in need of an awesome Art teacher?)

I think we'll go the apartment route for a while. I'm sure we'll be in a home eventually, quite possibly the loony bin! Starting out it looks like renting is going to be the best way to go to ease the transition, as I plan to absolutely immerse myself in training and don't want to worry about water heaters, roof shingles, etc.

I have decided on a school, and until it gets going I'll leave that comment out since that tends to receive mixed feedback - and I'm not up for the negative portion of that right now. My training begins August 16th . (Can I use any more of these cool animated smilies?!!)

I'm going to start a blog up at that time to outline my training and experience for future folks interested in the same change. It goes without saying that this place has been a godsend. What a great group of folks; so willing to share. I know I'm going to love my new life. I can't wait for the office with a view, and really don't care if I make 1/3 of what I used to make. Everyone has money, few have happiness. I live for the latter.
Thanks for reading!

[Bumblebee]

Originally Posted by gypsimac

I used to mow grass for a guy named Rich Creadore of Head East. I talked to him about a career playing guitar and if he had any advice on learning. "If the guitar doesn't feel good in your hands, you're always going to play like $#!T" I believe the same principle applys.



I have lived in Tucson for about 4 years now. I took my PPL at one school, then switched to a 141 school in Marana for my IR+CPL. PM me and I'll be more than happy do give you the details, as well as anything else ya may wanna know about the area.

--John

---Thread hijack---
I saw Head East in 1979 in Memphis . . . They opened for Blue Oyster Cult and April Wine . . . great show! BOC drove a Harley onstage for Born to be Wild! oohhh yeahhh

---end thread hijack---

[Naluryder]

Originally Posted by sdfcvoh

. Everyone has money, few have happiness. I live for the latter.
Thanks for reading!

I totally agree "happiness" is the key. Good luck my friend.

[juskl]

You can do it......... Seriously though, go to a school where you will learn to fly....... and not be affraid to fly..... I know this sounds weird, but it is very very true. I find that when I have to do rental checkouts from some of the larger Academy type schools (whom don't let their people rent), the pilots really don't have a clue about how to fly.... I am not kidding. They know everything by rote (kinda), but really don't understand what they are doing..... And they have not been exposed to what the airplane can do...... Do yourself a favor and check out the small schools as well as the larger ones. Also go somewhere that offers aerobatic training and really learn how to fly........ Just my 2 cents.... which really won't even get a cup of coffee......

[sdfcvoh]

Latest Update:
My wife got her job as an art teacher in Tucson. Just found out a little while ago. Now we don't have to sell watermelon on the street to pay for food!

[88MPH]

Hey Scott, that's GREAT news man! Many congrats!

[sdfcvoh]

One week until the move. Can you say boxes? I can also say, "some might say I've been a pack rat over the years."

I found myself staring at the DC's tonight and drooling a little bit, so I decided it was time for a break. Its hard to believe that I'm one week from this all getting going.

[sdfcvoh]

Well - I'm unplugging the computer, and bound for the desert. See you all on the other side!