Need Some Advice
12-07-2011, 03:44 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 474
I just have a quick question. I graduated college with a B.S. in engineering in May and now I am in graduate school pursuing a M.S. in engineering. I am obsessed with flying, though. It is my true passion. Not that I hate engineering, but I love flying. Even after reading all the horror stories on these forums, I still want to give it a try. I know that now I have a degree that is non-aviation to fall back on if things go south with aviation. I know it is one of those things that if I never try I will wish I had. By the way, I have 0 hours. No ppl or anything. I have flown before and loved it. Anyway, my question is I am about 98% sure I'm going to pursue this, but do I need to start now (i.e. quit grad school) or wait until I get my M.S. and then do it? Oh yeah, the M.S. is costing me about $15000 a semester and I have 2 semesters left (a 3 semester program). I am 23 years old and will be 24 when I finish if I stick it out. Thanks in advance!
Hope that helps.
12-07-2011, 08:28 AM
#15
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Joined APC: Dec 2011
Posts: 38
12-07-2011, 08:29 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2011
Posts: 374
The fact that you even mentioned how much your degree was costing you per semester tells me you don't have enough cash to spend on starting a new career as a pilot. Flying for fun, sure. But not as a career.
DO NOT, DO NOT go into debt to finance your "passion". If (and a big IF at that) you could even find a bank today to finance the $60k-75k to get your private, commercial, CFII, and multi ratings just to start instructing. You're looking at several years scraping by just to get the 1500 hours you will probably need due to impending legislation to get hired on at a regional.
Assuming best case you could do this in 3 years which would be very fast, you're looking at making $20k-30k per year as a first officer for another 3-4 years before you upgrade to captain. Call it another 2 years to get the 1000 PIC turbine you need to meet the MINIMUMS for a major. Sure there will be thousands hired in the next 10 years but they all will be hired ahead of you so don't count on a quick upgrade at a major.
Notice that nowhere did I even address paying off the debt you'd incure to get hired in the first place and 8-10 years is a long time to scrape by on $30k. Where will your buddies from grad school be by then?
Sorry if that doesn't paint a rosy picture for you but that is the reality you're looking at. My advice, finish your degree, continue to have fun flying (pay as you go) and get a good job that will probably allow you to buy your own plane in 10 years or so (pay cash).
Or, marry rich and do it the other way!
DO NOT, DO NOT go into debt to finance your "passion". If (and a big IF at that) you could even find a bank today to finance the $60k-75k to get your private, commercial, CFII, and multi ratings just to start instructing. You're looking at several years scraping by just to get the 1500 hours you will probably need due to impending legislation to get hired on at a regional.
Assuming best case you could do this in 3 years which would be very fast, you're looking at making $20k-30k per year as a first officer for another 3-4 years before you upgrade to captain. Call it another 2 years to get the 1000 PIC turbine you need to meet the MINIMUMS for a major. Sure there will be thousands hired in the next 10 years but they all will be hired ahead of you so don't count on a quick upgrade at a major.
Notice that nowhere did I even address paying off the debt you'd incure to get hired in the first place and 8-10 years is a long time to scrape by on $30k. Where will your buddies from grad school be by then?
Sorry if that doesn't paint a rosy picture for you but that is the reality you're looking at. My advice, finish your degree, continue to have fun flying (pay as you go) and get a good job that will probably allow you to buy your own plane in 10 years or so (pay cash).
Or, marry rich and do it the other way!
12-07-2011, 08:43 AM
#17
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Joined APC: Dec 2011
Posts: 38
Stitches, I don't plan on going into debt to get any of it. I am in no rush and plan on just paying as I go. I couldn't agree with you more about that. As far as the low pay, I understand that its gonna suck in the beginning. Besides, if things start looking bad for me in the aviation industry, I can always go back to being a mechanical engineer. I'm already licensed to do that. I know it would be a lot of money gone, but there's only one way to find out and that is to give it a shot. At least that's my perspective on it.
12-07-2011, 12:11 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 474
12-12-2011, 01:00 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Dec 2011
Posts: 38
12-12-2011, 01:28 PM
#20
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,730
Yup, and you only die once too, so be sure you go to a good school for flight instruction. Have you considered finding an Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard unit to fly for? They PAY YOU to go through pilot training, and they LOVE engineers!
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