Aviation as a side career

[rotorflyr84]

Hey everyone. I used to post awhile ago but my name expired. Anyway I am back and I have a question. I am just wondering how many people fly as a "side career"? For example, this May I graduate with my degree in respiratory therapy. I would like to start flying again but I would like to do both. Is this a reasonable goal? Thanks for your replies!

[sactown77]

Hey everyone. I used to post awhile ago but my name expired. Anyway I am back and I have a question. I am just wondering how many people fly as a "side career"? For example, this May I graduate with my degree in respiratory therapy. I would like to start flying again but I would like to do both. Is this a reasonable goal? Thanks for your replies!

 

I own my own business and part time I fly. I have no other goals in my aviation career other than to keep doing what I'm doing. It's nice to fly 4-8 hours a week but still have money because I own a non-aviation related business. I wouldn't have it any other way. I've turned down full time helicopter jobs. I figure I'm happy where i am so why bother.

[Shaun]

I've read many an account of a burned out EMS'er or the pilot living from trailer to trailer.

 

Seems like if you can enjoy aviation on your own terms, having another source of income, that would be a good thing.

[edspilot]

rotorflyr84:

 

I have been full time in the flying world and have been part time too.

 

Right now I am semi-retired (with pension), still have a full time job, and have started my own flying business (Hover Pix, LLC). The problem I'm into now is the business is picking up (good thing) but the time is short with my current full time job.

 

Now I have to decide if I want to quit and go full time flying again or hire someone to do most of it for me. I have to say it is a good problem to have.

 

I give you this background to really say, it is always, always, good to have another source of income if you are in aviation, heck two if you are lucky enough.

 

Go for it, you can always move in and out of the full to part to full time flying as long as you keep up your flying skills. Like I always say:

 

"Money is not everything, it just makes the rest of the things we all deal with everyday more manageable."

 

 

Be safe,

 

edspilot

[macatstarr]

I also agree w/ the post here, flying for a livin' usually removes all fun/pleasure from avaition.

 

From ur name I may assume born in 84' & now ~ 26. I sugguest the military, more directly the National Guard in an Avation Unit, Officer Candidate School & the best flight training & equipment in the world. Then back to having two careers, flying & respiratory therapy. Most importantly 2 retirements! Just my $.02

 

happy holidays!

[rick1128]

If you do want to do just part time flying, keep in mind the view from the other side of the desk. I have worked for operators that utilized part time pilots. There are some issues for the company. One is the part timer is usually not available when the operator really needs them. Then there is the cost of keeping them current. The recurrency costs for a part timer are proportionally larger. And there are other concerns. Overall it really depends on the operator and their business philosophy. Some will and some won't use part timers.

[rotorflyr84]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. My apologizes for taking so long to respond. Hopefully I will be able to continue flying after school with the school loans and other bills that will be arriving shortly after. Again, I appreciate the replies!

[Rorschach]

Hey everyone. I used to post awhile ago but my name expired. Anyway I am back and I have a question. I am just wondering how many people fly as a "side career"? For example, this May I graduate with my degree in respiratory therapy. I would like to start flying again but I would like to do both. Is this a reasonable goal? Thanks for your replies!

 

What type of flyin are you looking to do part time?