Next Step

[ElyJs]

I am hoping to get some advice from those with more experience. I just graduated from University of Colorado at Boulder with a BA in economics, and a minor in business adminstration. I was lucky enough to bust my hump enough the first 3 years that I really only had to take 2 classes all of this past year.

This light load enabled me to go from 0 time to CMEL, CSEL in about 7 months. 3 hours into my flight training I pulled out the spreadsheets and figured that buying my own plane was the only way to go. Best decision I ever made, I have flown from San Diego to New York, in total around 8 times. I also was able to get friends with the lure of a "vacation" to help split some of the gas and therefore have been able to complete all of my timebuilding and certs for just over 20 grand. I now have about 350tt 30 me.

Lately my plane has actually been making me money. This month I rented it out and will make almost 2 grand (which will help all of those months I was forking out cash). I am lucky enough to have zero debt as my grandparents paid for my college. I have about 2 grand sitting in a bank account.

I have debated getting my CFI but after pulling out the spreadsheets it just doesn't make any financial sense. I have a few friends that are going to get their PPLs in my airplane but it is better to have my CFI friends teach them for 25 an hour and I to make the money renting the airplane. I will be able to build time with these guys later by just having them pay my gas. In fact once you have your commercial it is extremely easy to cut all of the variable expenses out of flying. Wanna go flying? Yeah it costs 30 an hour in gas, lets go! It would cost me all of the money I have left plus push me negative in living expenses to get my CFI and I would need to instruct for at least 150 or so hours to make it a break even endeavor. I would build the time a lot quicker by just saving it for living expenses and getting people to help with gas.

I am now in the process of applying to airlines. I have a little bit of time in a B1900d full sim and have a pretty good idea of the systems from a local community college. I really am strongly considering trying to get on with Great Lakes, quick upgrade, good people, horrible pay. I can make it work though, I have no family, roommates and no debt. I also have a dog for the past 4 years that I am extremely attached to. I signed a lease at a place with a big backyard and some of my best friends that are all willing to take care of him. I really want to stay in Colorado. There are a bunch of other not-so-great airlines that I may have a chance of getting on with low time but generally their locations suck. I love to whitewater kayak and ski. I want to live in the West. Ideally, Skywest, Horizon or even Republic would call me up begging for my services, but I know that probably isn't going to happen.

I have a few connections at Great Lakes and am fairly sure that I would be able to get on with them if not right now at least by the end of the summer. In the meantime I may have to get some BS job working retail or waiting tables. The plane is paying for itself, at least during the summer so I am def keeping that. I could afford to live on GLA wages but would prefer to get on with Skywest or Horizon. Would you guys get a BS job to help build that time up to 1000 or get in and get that turbine time. The average pilot stays with GLA for only 3 years, thats their business model. I would rather make 15 grand a year and live in CO than make 30 grand and live in midwest.

Long term I want to be in the aviation industry, either as a pilot, brokering jets, whatever. Thanks for any advice y'all can give!

-Jason

[fosters]

I don't know spending a couple grand to get a CFI makes a lot of sense in the long run. It will be very helpful in all areas of aviation that you might want to pursue. Since you have a stable financial situation getting a CFI wouldn't be too expensive. Taking on a couple grand debt is nothing if you want to reach your goals. You could also instruct on the side if you got on with Lakes and stay at home.