Secondly, I am still wrestling with my own "transition" into a full-time career as a flight instructor. Not sure if that's an appropriate topic in this forum. Much to my own personal fortune -- akin to winning the Powerball Lottery in my opinion -- my flight school has held out a 3-month offer for me to come aboard as a full-time CFI and also to teach PVT ground school at a higher rate than average. I loathe my current "day job" in city bureaucracy, and almost desperately want to take the CFI offer. Numbers add up: Despite the major pay cut, I can afford it. What's stopping me? Fear and worry that, unexpectedly, the number of students will decline and I am struggling for enough "billable hours" to make ends meet.
Enough already.
I know you don't know me and I've mostly been a lurker on the red board and have completely been an occasional lurker here, but I followed your journey through to your CFI, and wanted to offer a little encouragement. I know you already took the position, but I'd say you have your answer with "I loathe my current day job..." I started to write this on the red board, and stopped because I don't want to start up a bunch of sarcastic responses, and I hesitate again, but...here goes, said in sincerity, just to relate that I can understand the hesitation and what can be at stake, and in the end how gratifying it can be to at least try to do something you love.
I wanted to fly from the time I was seven years old. My father told me that girls couldn't do that, and (stupid me) never looked any further into it because I assumed it was true. I was a freshman in college (in pre-veterinary medicine) when I found out that indeed, there was nothing stopping me from going to flight school. I immediately applied, was accepted, and called home with the news. I was told that I was an idiot for even thinking it, that I'd never make anything of myself, and that if I did that, I would be disowned and not see a dime towards college as well; I was told to "think carefully about my choice and my future". I did exactly that. I finished my semester, then dropped out of vet school, drove 12 hours away to flight school, and was 'disowned' as promised. I worked full time at a fast food restaurant, walked everywhere, ate free crackers from Wendy's for more meals than you might believe, and couldn't afford the school books so took excellent notes and utilized the library. I wasn't eligable for scholarships because of family income-even though it wasn't being sent my way. As the only female out of 125 starting students in my class, the first year was a tad...let's call it "lonely" for lack of a better word. I was 500 miles away from anybody I knew, and I wondered a few times how crazy I really was to be doing this.
One thing I did know-every lesson left me with the knowledge that I was doing the right thing, and that I'd not be happy doing anything else. Fast forward 16 years, and I can say with full sincerity, "grabbing my balls" and doing it was the best thing I've ever done. I can't imagine the life I'd have led had I tried to stay the course on the "other", safer career. Make no mistake, there were a LOT of sacrifices over the years. Flight instructing (flying in general) is not the most stable, steady income. My husband and I now run a couple of FBOs, and there have been years we held on by the skin of our teeth. Times when the good years didn't cushion us, they just pulled us out from the hole of the bad years. We have a lot of independent contractors as flight instructors, and many of them are retired or have another job elsewhere too. But I can't imagine being a veterinarian right now, and nobody who knows me can imagine it either. I've gotten to fly some amazing airplanes, I smile almost every time I rotate into a beautiful calm evening/morning sky, and I've been able to help students learn and follow their passion too. I find fulfilment and enjoyment in what I do. It's not always an easy road, but if it is what you want, and you know it, then I doubt you will regret following it.
You didn't just dive in. You worked the numbers, you looked at your options, and you made a choice that you feel could work. There are no guarantees in life, but you made an informed decision. Furthermore, life isn't one road, come hell or high water. You can assess and reasses as you go, and if you need to make a different decision in the future, you can.
I wish you the best; you sound like the kind of instructor students are lucky to have. Dedicated, bright, focused, willing to learn, and with a love of what you do.
. I really decent living. I can make a lot a month if I want to work that hard, if I dont I can work a really easy schedule and have lots of time to fly hunt and fish. Every one tried to tell me I was nuts. Now
