18 years in nursing, late 30s—is it crazy to dump $50k to chase the pilot dream?
Posted by ThenurseAviator@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 120 comments
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some unfiltered, "real world" advice. I’ve been a nurse for almost 18 years (since I was basically a kid), and I’m currently in my late 30s. Nursing has been my life, but I’ve had the itch to be an airline pilot since I was small, and I’m finally at a point where I want to take the leap.
Here is the situation:
The Plan: My hometown has a local flying club where I can knock out most of my licenses.
The Cost: I’ll be paying out of pocket, likely between $40k–$50k.
The Worry: I’m terrified of "The Limbo." I know I can get to my CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) license, but I’m worried about that massive gap between 250 and 1,500 hours required for the regionals.
The Juggle: I have a family and a full-time nursing gig.
My biggest fear is spending my savings and then getting stuck at 300 hours with no clear path to the cockpit, especially while trying to be a present parent and spouse.
For those who transitioned later in life: How did you manage the grind to 1,500 hours while keeping your "day job" and sanity? Is the CFI route at a local club viable for someone with a family, or am I setting myself up for burnout?
Give it to me straight—is this a solid mid-life pivot or a recipe for financial/personal disaster?
4surenotathroeawhey@reddit
I know your friends excel sheet says one thing, but in your mind, double it and imagine yourself making close to minimum wage between that 250hr-2500 (1500 is just the minimum to get your ATP, in this environment it’s much more realistic to get a jet job at 2500). This could be 4-5 years before you even become an FO at a regional making the same wages you are now.
Does this thought make you sick in your stomach? Or is it something you and your family could weather until you maybe get a decent paying flying gig when you’re closer to 50yo? How is this going to impact your current retirement savings? Can you afford to stop putting away retirement funds during the most effective retirement earnings in your life currently? Will you have good enough healthcare coverage when you start flying as a CFI? I don’t know any CFIs that have any kind of health insurance coverage through a school.
If this is something you REALLY want, go for it. I highly recommend in the mean time to get your PPL and decide whether or not you wouldn’t mind flying clapped out small airplanes for a few years first.
Whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE OUT A LOAN FOR THIS
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Not planning to take a loan, I am paying it all myself. Even if it takes me years!
jbaginsfromtheshire@reddit
Don’t do it
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Why?
jbaginsfromtheshire@reddit
Too much stress
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Are you a pilot?
thefouthblindmouse@reddit
I went the other way. I became a pilot but ended up working full time as a nurse.
Follow your bliss. Money means nothing if your job does not bring you joy.
Hawaiiankinetings@reddit
Have you done a discovery flt and secured a first class medical? I started at 36 second career and have a family, be prepared to grind it out. I would keep your nursing job while you do flt training.
Purgent@reddit
I’m going to disagree with keeping job while flight training.
If money allows, quit and focus 100% on training. You can get zero through CFI if you allow yourself full flexibility.
KITTYONFYRE@reddit
what the hell are you gonna do outside the ~5h/day it’s realistic to train for (at absolute most, assuming weather is perfect) lol
quitting isn’t gonna get you there all that much faster vs just grinding hard while still working
Ok-Door-4991@reddit
Oookay moneybags!
Harry73127@reddit
There are no jobs dude. This is financial suicidal regardless of who you are
Hawaiiankinetings@reddit
It depends on your risk tolerance. With a family to care for, I opted to not quit my job and was still able to finish 0-CFI in 18 months.
Stevethepinkeagle@reddit
100% agree, depending on climate. You could probably juggle both in AZ or FL, you essentially need to know that on the days you’re scheduled to fly, you will actually fly. I’ve seen tons of part timers take upwards of four years, or give up entirely because of cancelled flights through the winter and shoulder seasons, then not having the flexibility to take full advantage of the summer.
Acquilas@reddit
Exactly what I have done. 37 years old and want to change career to do what I always wanted to do. Passed my Class 1 medical and just did my discovery flight which I thoroughly enjoyed. Soon I'll be on my way to PPL and beyond! Keeping current job in the meantime so going modular.
Did you go the modular route?
draggingmytail@reddit
100% this. Make sure you’re legally allowed to fly first, please.
JSTootell@reddit
I'm flying on the side as a hobby with the long term goal of career change. Walking away from a 6 figure job in the hopes of making flying a career is suicidal thinking with how over saturated the market is.
I'm mentally thinking of 10 years before I can get in. But I'm watching another local dude who is about to hit 1500 and see what happens with him. He bought a 182. I bought a 150.
I don't have a family.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
How old are you?
Torvaldicus_Unknown@reddit
To add, if you take more time than the average person it will cost you over $100k. I spent probably 65 on actual training and Like 55 on living costs. Best to have that much saved up and literally fly 3-5 times a week and study all day long. I was really distracted by other things in my life, plus being at a really slow school, it was a nightmare. Just finishing CFI after 3 years.
setecastronomy01@reddit
OP, it ain’t too late, just be forewarned that it can be and will be at times, a grind. It can be a shock to the system if you aren’t prepared for the lack of schedule control during parts of the career and the less glamorous aspects of the life. If it’s something you have to do then go get it, regret is a mortgage you can’t pay off in my opinion. Sure you could regret spending the money on flight training and then staying with nursing, but not going for it sounds like a mistake if you truly want to do this. Just remember it takes time, nothing will happen over night and there are going to be days where you might feel like it’s never going to work out, you just have to keep pushing. Wish you the best in your decision and good luck, hope you get the opportunity to accomplish your goal.
Scary-Comfortable754@reddit
It's almost mission impossible...For so many reasons
hanjaseightfive@reddit
There’s never a clear path to the majors or any guarantee, and the airline career is filled with volatility and uncertainty.
That’s what the industry is. You accept the risk and associated stress, or you don’t.
Flyingredditburner44@reddit
"My biggest fear is spending my savings and then getting stuck at 300 hours with no clear path to the cockpit, especially while trying to be a present parent and spouse."
We recently had a post on this subreddit addressing exactly that. The amount of certificates issues is completely unsustainable, almost 2x the amount of CFI certificates issues vs what the airlines will hire with even a 5% growth.
3-4x for Commercial certificates.
Only get into this for the love of flying, career wise it is a massive gamble.
FiberApproach2783@reddit
That's better than I thought tbh💀
Flyingredditburner44@reddit
Yeah instead of a never ending backlog of applicants you can just get stuck behind an even bigger never ending backlog of applicants!
We're about to see military only hires or those with extensive experience, just like the old days.
bottomfeeder52@reddit
would it be worth it to you if you never made it to the airlines, still worked as a nurse, and CFI’d on the side?
JGAviation@reddit
Crazy. I've been a CFI for almost a decade now more than 3000 dual given and I am studying now at a community college to be a nurse. Checked all the boxes for ATP requirements but haven't had the chance to take the ATP check.
palbertalamp@reddit
Dip your toe in. Staged goals. Get your private , and then decide if you want to keep training.
The drop out rate is high for a reason.
Being a private pilot with a solid nursing career is a good step off and assess point.
HuckleberryOk8136@reddit
As a nurse you can quit your job and have a new one in 5 minutes. You can quit, dedicate 100% to flying, and if it sucks for you, just go be a nurse again.
ATrainDerailReturns@reddit
Assume something along the lines of
Year 1 -$40,000 PPL instrument Year 2 -$40,000 CPL Multi and Single, CFI Year 3 -$ 5,000 CFII and rentals to stay current while no one hires you to instruct Year 4 + $20,000 paid CFI Year 5 + $25,000 paid CFI Year 6 + $25,000 paid CFI Year 7 + $80,000 paid regional (if you lucky)
This also assumes you 1) have less than 2 check-ride failures 2) stay medial healthy the entire time 3) don’t obnoxiously overpay, some people pay $120,000 for their training
ne0tas@reddit
Don't quit your day job. Stay a nurse and get your cfi/cfii. Get a cheap plane or find clients who have a plane and gain hours on the side.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
The thing is cheap plains are expensive
ne0tas@reddit
Yes and so are expensive planes. Just like I said, don't quit your day job. I'm an aircraft mechanic and one of my coworkers does this. He's an a&p he makes good money working here and he bought a c150 and teaches on the side. If he were to quit he wouldn't be able to support his wife and kids teaching.
FriskyFritos@reddit
That 40-50k is unrealistic in todays market. Its likely closer to 70-80
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
And easily 100k+
dopexile@reddit
Someone could cut the cost down if they planned it a lot smarter than the average person. Example: Try to always make sure every flight possible has a 50-mile leg as a cross-country flight with simulated instrument time.
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
Go for averages though. Some people need more training. Some get it done bare minimum. It takes what it takes. Somewhere they post what the average hours were for ratings. Use that as your template. For example, what's the average ppl? 65 hours? How many of that with an instructor? 40?
If the plane rents for 175 and the instructor is 75. 250x40=10k 175x25=4.4k
That's 15k just for private.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
My friend's doing the same thing as me. He made an Excel sheet of all his payments, and it's almost $42,000. So I'm basing my amount on that.
FiberApproach2783@reddit
How much did he pay per hour wet with an instructor? Did he complete every rating at the minimum legal time?
Glum_Winter2579@reddit
What's up with the downvotes? They're just asking advice on aviation geeze
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
Private alone is around 20k
FriskyFritos@reddit
Im sure that’s great for your friend. If that’s true then he’s an above average student. Or he’s leaving something out. Maybe possible if you do the absolute bare minimum flying per rating but across the board that is nearly impossible.
You’re in for a very VERY rude awakening if you only financially planned for 40k then halfway through your ratings you run dry and you’re either without a job or without any savings at the very least and nothing to show for it. Then you are stuck in the sunk cost fallacy where you try to scrounge for flying money and your hours/week dwindle therefore making you less proficient. Therefore making you need more training. I’ve seen it dozens of times. So just giving it to you straight, prepare for a higher cost or you will regret it.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Nah, I get it. I don't see why he'd leave anything out. He's super meticulous with everything he does. He'll get his CFI in less than two months. I'm paying out of pocket, so I'm working overtime to pay for my flight lessons.
CLRTOLND@reddit
Just because that’s what your friend spent does not mean it will be the same for you.
FriskyFritos@reddit
Literally placing my bet on pure statistics. You have a family and a job to work which takes away from availability to fly. If you are flying less than 3x a week you will take longer than the minimum per flight rating and will fork out at least more than 65k for training, study materials, and checkrides when all is said and done. So if you can accept that financial burden by all means go for it.
But I am sick of flight schools luring students in with acceptable looking price models only for them to bait and switch you after you are well into your training. So prepare for more out of pocket or you and your family will regret it.
canadianbroncos@reddit
No one goes thru training at the same rate tho. Maybe he did it in the min legal time, maybe you suck at stalls and forced landing and your private takes 15 hours more than him.
TheVillianOfValley@reddit
That 15 hours would be absorbed in the run to 250 for Commercial, so the example is moot.
always_gone@reddit
Are these all his actual historic payments or what he’s projecting? I could’ve done it a little cheaper than I did, but my market had some unique factors that drove prices down and even then I think $42k is extremely efficient.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
No, those are his actual payments. Very detailed Excel sheet!
always_gone@reddit
It’s not impossible in the right area, just improbable in most markets. Don’t forget to set aside about 12k for your CMEL and ATP CTP.
Fine_Fortune844@reddit
Are you planning to work while you do your ratings?
Guysmiley777@reddit
You should be worried. There is a massive oversupply of low time pilots with CFI ratings who can't find their first instructing gig. I don't think that keeping your full time job and trying to instruct on the side is realistic.
And 1,500 hours is not a guarantee of a regional job, it's a bare minimum. When the regionals have the luxury of being more selective in their hiring, they will be. That includes favoring pilots from their cadet programs and pilots with more than the bare minimum on their resume.
Purgent@reddit
The problem is more like there is a large number of CFIs with terrible people skills and no significant prior job history or skill set they can bring to the table.
skunimatrix@reddit
Unless you are financially independent...no. My wife is just trying to get her light sport so when we fly our Cherokee there are two of us capable of landing in an emergency. Time just isn't there especially to stay fresh. Granted my wife is also GC at a $1B company so once she made it into the C-suite free time became something she doesn't have much of even though we own an airplane.
I'm working on my CPL in my late 40's, but this is after selling a second business and having another one that supports the airplane habit without me having to be involved in the day to day. Also getting my CPL because it saves a few bucks on insurance premiums especially with the RV-10 coming online this year.
Ancient_Narwhal_9524@reddit
Don’t borrow money, don’t quit your day job. I wouldn’t deplete your savings much either. The big hiring boom is over, so there is no hurry. There will still be jobs there when you finish.
AdditionalWx314@reddit
If you can get the medical, and you really love flying, then go for it. Nursing is a great career, but if you want to try flying, I say go for it. You may find other ways to get the hours to the regionals, or you may decide that corporate or charter is the place to be. Your nursing temperament may be great for charters. In any event, do what makes you happy. It is within reach, so go for it.
Devious_Halo@reddit
Do it!!!
MyPilotInterview@reddit
Here is my advice:
Get your PPL, tailwheel and 100 hours of TT and start towing gliders. Pick up an extra shift and slowly grind out your ratings. In about 3-5 years you’ll probably have a commercial multi engine and a great network. From there you can get a 135 gig, log proper time and move to the airlines.
SaltBaeUrMom@reddit
You can’t get paid with PPL….
MyPilotInterview@reddit
Technically you can § 61.113(g) though most just volunteer for time.
SaltBaeUrMom@reddit
You can act as PIC per that reg. Nothing about being paid. You can’t get paid with a private. Giving away free flight time to a company is the dumbest thing I’ve heard
MyPilotInterview@reddit
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/practice_areas/regulations/interpretations/Data/interps/2010/Umphres-Soaring%20Society%20of%20America_2010_Legal_Interpretation.pdf
SaltBaeUrMom@reddit
So you gave me the reg that “allows it”, but the reg doesn’t say it. So now you find some FAA letter? Why didn’t you just post that letter first then? But hey, you do you. I would say it’s bad advice. You gain a lot more as a pilot being a CFI and can make $50/Hour or more, and don’t have to “donate” your flight hours. Basically a scab at that point flying for free. Undermines the whole profession
earlofsandwich@reddit
I was watching a video yesterday and they were talking about how there were approx 9000 commercial pilots in 2010 and double that now. So i'm not sure how easy the job market is in your area but probably worth finding that out. Have you considered a training program like Allegiant?
ltcterry@reddit
I’m working with an RN now on becoming a pilot. Commercial practical test later this month.
Cut your expenses. Save more. You’re in a great position to train alongside working. Once you have $18-20k saved for Private, start training at a local, non-pilot mill school.
$50k is unrealistic.
Gold-Weather_69@reddit
Welcome to saturated pilot market buddy 😜
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Do you mean like CFI jobs or actual pilots trying to get bite out of the airline jobs?
Gold-Weather_69@reddit
Cfi jobs and your first regional gig… you’re better off doing nursing. The career is more stable and they can made a boat load of money if you’re a nurse in Cali.
draggingmytail@reddit
Both.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Trust me sort of knew, thats why I am holding up.
rtd131@reddit
https://youtu.be/yepvhknoGyk?si=USLP6jOuMan02GFW
Watch this video from yesterday for some more context.
chicagoderp@reddit
I enjoy reading this. I retired at 38, fly for fun, and am in nursing school because it seems like a fun retirement career 😂
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Trust me, "fun" isn't the word I'd use. Nursing is just my stepping stone to get out of nursing! I've tried every major specialty, and I'm still outta here. We have the highest burnout of most profession for a reason.
chicagoderp@reddit
I plan to go NP or PA route and chase something hard….
MyPilotInterview@reddit
Why go to nursing school to become a PA? It’s like going to ATP to fly for the military.
chicagoderp@reddit
Is there a better path? This is the recommended path from 2 doctor friends and multiple college counselors
MyPilotInterview@reddit
Go straight to PA school.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Not to burst your bubble my friend, however I was thinking of doing that route as well, but after asking countless NP and PA, none are happy with their career selections. They are over worked, under appreciated, and abuse by patients and Dr. Going from nursing to NP or PA the only thing that chances is the pay, but most are still very unhappy.
bterrik@reddit
I think it being a retirement gig makes it a little different. There’s a LOT of power in saying no when things get tough. If it costs you your job, who cares.
Kinda like flying 😂
chicagoderp@reddit
Exactly. Not to be smug but life is a lot easier when you can just walk away.
bterrik@reddit
Not the same thing but it’s a little like a flying career. One of the biggest perks is, other than a little recurrent training, when I step off the plane I have pretty much no obligation to the company unless I choose. No emails, no meetings, no flying, nothing. They can call and call and I can simply not answer and nothing bad will happen. No impact to career progression, etc. If I do it right, my boss won’t even know my name.
chicagoderp@reddit
Yeah man. After 20 years of being “on” 24x7, the idea of a job you can clock in and out of sounds amazing. As they say, the grass is always greener.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Can't argue with your logic
chicagoderp@reddit
Unfortunately, people are largely unhappy with their chosen careers. Turns out working for a living sucks. If I don’t like it I’ll just go back to playing golf every day.
Dr_Peter_Venkman_@reddit
Fly as a hobby and build hours on the side, then decide if you really want this full time gig. Many fail and many go broke
MangledX@reddit
I started at 42 and work an engineering job in the defense sector and as a single dad with two teenagers at home.
Three years later, I am currently still at the full time gig, but did manage to get through all my ratings and certficates in about a year and a half at a part 61 school. It's doable. You won't have much free time on the weekends outside of flying and studying, but if you want it bad enough, you'll make the break through.
I'm currently at 1340 hours and teaching at not one, but two schools on a fill in basis and it's kept me plenty busy. Definitely don't quit your job if you don't have to. It may take you a little bit longer, but you'll be financially stable in the processl, which is the biggest hurdle to overcome in getting through your certs.
I work a 4x10 schedule so Friday, Sat and Sun have me up at the airport grinding it out, and now that daylight savings time has come back around, I'm often up there doing a 6pm flight on the weekdays after work. I managed to soak up about 720 hours last year between instructing and going on personal flights to keep the passion alive. I had my first technical interview with a 135 organization the other day and will see what the verdict is there. If it's a pass, then I'm no worse off because I still have my 'day job.'.
Lastly, even for a flying club, those figures seem extremely ambitious. I'd expect to spend at a minimum of 70k. If you get done cheaper than that, great. But it's better to go into it expecting worst case.
If you want it, go get it. It's definitely not too late. Just be ready to make some sacrifices with your time, and definitely with your money.
theshawnch@reddit
Highly recommend that you keep your job and get your ratings at a part 61 school and pay as you go. I took breaks between each rating but it took me about a year and a half to get my ratings by doing just that.
Then if you’re still passionate, go down to part time nursing while instructing part time. Just 10 hours a week gets you to ATP mins in a few years, without the debt and drama and despair that so many people post on here about every week because they didn’t keep their options open.
SlinkyNormal@reddit
Early 30s, made a career jump, wife supports it. part 61/141 you can message me if youd like more details.
LifeSun9520@reddit
Just wanted to say I’m currently in nursing school and training towards my privates license! Good luck to you :)
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Nursing's great, but all the politics, rules, and understaffing really mess it up. I do like it, though, but honestly, I'm getting burned out. One good thing about nursing is you'll always have a job.
findquasar@reddit
I have some bad news for you if you think we don’t also have politics, rules, and understaffing.
But, go check out the thread about the 2025 civil airman statistics. You’ll see the huge overproduction of low-time pilots these last few years. If you really want to fly airplanes, please do, but just know there’s going to be a lot of banging your head against the wall in the process.
blame_lagg@reddit
It's likely a recipe for financial disaster in the short term. You didn't share how much you make as a nurse.
Assuming ~100k/yr, you'll probably break even in 7 years or so, if everything goes perfectly with flying and assuming no raises / promotions in nursing.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Between 80k and 120k, depending on if I keep working at a local hospital or decide to become a travel nurse.
blame_lagg@reddit
Instead of taking the plunge, I would suggest to keep working at least while getting your PPL, likely all the way to Commercial + CFI.
This will keep you cash flow neutral. Then, if things go really well and you can get a CFI job + clients, you could dial down the nursing.
Luckily, nursing is a field you could jump back into.
Talk to your spouse.
Tman3355@reddit
"Talk to your spouse"
This right here is the most important thing you need to do. The biggest and hardest transition to this kind of career is on the family. Even as a nurse working crazy long hours (thank you for that by the way) it is very different from being gone 3 or 4 days at a time. Or 7 days at a time for some 135 operations.
Also hate to sound doom and gloom but look at the recent video thats been posted around about the current certificate issuance numbers and how that might look for the future hiring environment. Based on numbers and timing you may never get to a major airline in your career. Not saying there isnt a chance and thing can change but based on the numbers now you need to be okay accepting that very real possibility.
JT-Av8or@reddit
Unrealistic. You’ll burn $100k and maybe get a job for $20k per year after that. You’ll never finish if you plan on keeping your nursing job.
You’re better off doing medical school and become a thoracic surgeon. It’s easier and less expensive.
NewYork-Paki@reddit
Do not do it, DM me and I'll call you and tell you everything no will so you can make the most informed decision for yourself. Would take forever to type it out here.
Al_the_Alligator@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yepvhknoGyk&t=180s&pp=ygUQcGlsb3Qgb3ZlcnN1cHBseQ%3D%3D
This video needs to be shown to more people..... There are too many pylots.
SaltBaeUrMom@reddit
Would plan on spending way more than $40-$50K. Maybe $80K -$100K. Examiner fees for check rides are $800+ depending where you live. $1,00+ if in PHX or California. Get your first class medical and do an intro flight. You have to get your CFI, and would highly recommend CFII, you have to get your commercial multi rating and 25 hours done at some point too
RaidenMonster@reddit
Had to quit my day job to get through the hours in anything resembling a reasonable amount of time.
The 2 years I spent instructing didn’t even cover the costs of getting my ratings much less pay for being alive. Wife, kid, mortgage at the time.
lordtema@reddit
As long as you dont take out loans to do it, and is content with using whatever time it might take to do it in a way that does not heavily impact your family i do not really see any major red flags here. Sure you may end up using a longer time than many others, but i have read plenty of stories about people 40+ starting over and having successful careers.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
No my plan is to pay out of my own pocket, working over time. To pay for those hours. Hoping to get my 250 in about two years. After that become a CFI.
SaltBaeUrMom@reddit
You’ll need multi time as well, and your CFII.
Denim-Luckies-n-Wry@reddit
If you do everything right and on schedule you will be applying to 121 carriers in your early to mid 40s. Your similarly qualified competition will be 20 years younger, with twice the service life they can offer to an airline, and much more personal freedom to adapt to the gypsy aspect of airline life.
You're having a mid-life crisis. Buy a Corvette.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
No, not really. Just tired of nursing
urfavoritemurse@reddit
My biggest advice to you if you decide to pursue training and having a family is to get an additional life insurance policy that covers aviation accidents. I read over my policy that is through my employer and it only covers commercial aviation accidents so if I died in my Cherokee 180 my family wouldn’t get a penny. I pay $600 a year for a $1mil policy. It’s not insanely dangerous to fly but you’d hate for your family to be in that position if something did happen. Just pay as you go and keep your nursing job. I’m also a nurse of about 12 years and in my early 30s. I have my private and instrument and am working on my commercial and have zero debt from aviation. Especially with a family which I also have, I plan on keeping up my nursing license as a fallback in case the aviation industry shits itself after I make the jump. Good luck.
Sensitive_Scholar_17@reddit
It is a financial issue, but I don’t know if it is a disaster. It really depends on how your family is doing. If your husband/wife is making good money and can support the family for the several years, I would do it. On the other hand, if it is going to break your family financially, I would not do it.
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Honestly, it won't break the bank, over 2k extra a month after all the monthly payments, and that's with putting money into savings every paycheck.
Sensitive_Scholar_17@reddit
In that case, I would do it.
AWildJesse@reddit
Go for it. You work so you can do what you want in your regular life.
Bkclaims@reddit
No shot you do it in 40-50k. Drop your hourly rate or how you're estimating that. It cost me closer to 70k at a small part 61 2 years ago, and that's PPL,IR,CSEL and CMEL, no CFI,CFII,MEI which I would plan for.
alwaysmoving777@reddit
108/hr wet and 50 for instructor what would it of cost you
the_meat_suite@reddit
I was an RN and made the jump in my early 30s and never looked back. Can’t imagine working as an RN ever again. That said, making the transition later in life when we had two little ones and a third on the way was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. My advice would be to plan for the worst case scenario (training taking longer, costing more, possibly washing out during training) and go for it if you are ok with that. Flying may not work out for you for any number reasons, but at least you tried and found out for yourself. And if it does work out, then fantastic. Good luck, I’m rooting for ya! Happy to answer any questions.
bterrik@reddit
Would you be happy if it never went past the CFI level or is the dream the airlines?
I’m sure others will have ideas but if it’s airlines, I’d consider ATP or others with a pathway program. It’ll probably be more expensive and pay to play annoys the hell out of me on a moral basis but you’re in your late 30s, so your time in the career is already somewhat limited.
My info’s a little old though so hopefully someone with more recent experience can chime in.
MyPilotInterview@reddit
I had a guy late 50s get a legacy CJO this week.
EliteEthos@reddit
It’ll be more than $50k…
ananajakq@reddit
I’m 14 years into flying now and if I had to do it again I would. I love my job, I am so happy I did it. I’m sure you will be too
ThenurseAviator@reddit (OP)
Man, I wish I had those chances when I was growing up. I did nursing, and I really wish I could go back and do something else.
B100West@reddit
Start off with a few discovery flights. Talk to the instructors at the local school’s
If you still want to go for it. Get your FAA medical exam done. No need spending the money if you have an issue
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some unfiltered, "real world" advice. I’ve been a nurse for almost 18 years (since I was basically a kid), and I’m currently in my late 30s. Nursing has been my life, but I’ve had the itch to be an airline pilot since I was small, and I’m finally at a point where I want to take the leap.
Here is the situation:
The Plan: My hometown has a local flying club where I can knock out most of my licenses.
The Cost: I’ll be paying out of pocket, likely between $40k–$50k.
The Worry: I’m terrified of "The Limbo." I know I can get to my CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) license, but I’m worried about that massive gap between 250 and 1,500 hours required for the regionals.
The Juggle: I have a family and a full-time nursing gig.
My biggest fear is spending my savings and then getting stuck at 300 hours with no clear path to the cockpit, especially while trying to be a present parent and spouse.
For those who transitioned later in life: How did you manage the grind to 1,500 hours while keeping your "day job" and sanity? Is the CFI route at a local club viable for someone with a family, or am I setting myself up for burnout?
Give it to me straight—is this a solid mid-life pivot or a recipe for financial/personal disaster?
Please downvote this comment until it collapses.
Questions about this comment? Please see this wiki post before contacting the mods.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact the mods of this subreddit.