so long

[Hansel]

After alot of soul searching and talks with the wife and kids, I have decided that its best for Dad to be home everynight with the kids, and leave the flying behind. I always felt that flying was the key to my happiness, but in the end it's just a job. Thanks for all the insight and encouragement everyone has given me, at 40 I need to do the responsible thing. Take care.

 

[TurboS7]

You'll be back. He who puts his family first will reap huge benifits for himself and his family. Aviation 101

 

[cvsfly]

One of the most intelligent posts on this board. Good luck, God bless.

 

[quigs]

I agree with cvsfly..

Good luck.

 

[azpilot]

After alot of soul searching and talks with the wife and kids, I have decided that its best for Dad to be home everynight with the kids, and leave the flying behind. I always felt that flying was the key to my happiness, but in the end it's just a job. Thanks for all the insight and encouragement everyone has given me, at 40 I need to do the responsible thing. Take care.

When you can afford it buy a plane and fly for fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why do you think there are so many GA pilots out there.

Good luck,
AZPilot

 

[Hansel]

thanks gang, it is the hardest thing to do, but better than losing the family. I have a great job with a major bank and pretty good hours(holidays and weekends off with the kids and wife). The wife was very supportive of the career but I could see in a few years of not being home much that would change.

 

[leardvr]

Did the Samething

I stopped flying about 2 years ago, after missing the 40 weeks of my Daughters first year of life (she's 5 now) and 35 weeks of my sons first year (he's 3 now). I also have a 19mo. old son that I've only missed 1 night.

I decided that I loved my family more then flying.

What I got instead was the best job I've ever had; I work at Flight Safety as a CE560XL instructor. If you’d like to stay in aviation FSI is hiring (at least my center).

If someday in the future your interested PM me for my phone # or e-mail.


Gods Blessings.

 

[Aeronca]

I instruct part-time and work a full-time job. It's a struggle trying to balance family with work. Luckily, my CFI schedule is light enough that I don't have to miss many family functions. I started flying with the intentions of doing this professionally. At this point in my life, 35 with three children, I have to give it more careful consideration before putting my family through it. At the very least for me, I will continue to instruct on a part-time basis. My father taught me to fly and I can't think of any greater satisfaction than being able to teach one of my children to fly, if they have the desire. That would complete my full-circle.

Best wishes to you and your family.

 

[Birdstrike]

...For Now...

Hansel,

For you, this is the right decision for the season of life you're in. It's not an easy thing to do and not many men tell flying to take a back seat to the needs of their family. I think you got it right. When you're pushing 40+ with a family, that's not the time to try to make it on 25K a year. Some guys can and do succeed, for sure, but what was the price paid in terms of things that can't easily be measured?

Plus, you would never get those lost years back with your kids, but flying for pay (or just fun) in some way will probably always be there. Yeah, you won't make it to the majors but you're making a tremendous investment in the lives of your wife and kids. Priceless.

I made the same decision you did and when my last kid starts college in four years, I'll reevaluate my decision.

Here's the deal - I have no problem with being a 50 year old FO, fractional CP, or CFI. So you just kick the can down the road a few years for the right reasons. Who knows what the future holds? Go have fun with your family, keep in touch mentally, and check back when the time is right.

 

[eaglefly]

After 15+ years working for a company that is trying its best to destroy my love of flying, i've come to the conclusion that the love of aviation is far more than the airlines.

At 37,000 feet, I dream of the day I get my first airplane and rejoining general aviation.

I hope to realize that by next summer and bring back the FUN memories of flying.

I've narrowed my choices to an Arrow, Cardinal RG or Commander 112. I hope to fly it many years and hope it will give me back what I seem to have lost.

When I was a CFI, I dreamt of the airlines. Now I like to drive by GA airports and look at planes.

Go figure.

 

[banned username 2]

Good Luck Hansel....

You won't regret your decision.... Family is very, very important... Flying is just a job...

 

[skyking1976]

I think FalconCapt's signature says it all. I think you will come back to it someday in one form or the other...

Cheers and good luck,
Skyking

 

[310]

Hansel,
You can instruct on the side and stay involved in aviation- share some of the wisdom you have gained- maybe be a pilot for young eagles(EAA- give kids airplane rides) on a weekend here and there. You are right that family comes first but you can still fly some.

 

[tarp]

Congrats on your decision.

You are not missing anything. Stay in flying like the others said but do it as a GA owner, CFI, even get a part-time charter gig. Keep your family, your income stream and your benefits first and then have as much fun as humanly possible on the side.

Join a club, the CAP, become an Aviation Counselor with the FAA, there are tons of things to do and aviation will be stronger for it.

Its funny - I'm a hard charging type "A" kind of guy. I've noticed two types out at the airport - guys like me that basically just go out and get it. And then there are the guys who just sit back, hang around the airports and make freinds - they socialize, make connections and take rides in strange airplanes. I've seen a ton of these guys get good paying, fun flying jobs just because they're a friend of someone else. Don't be surprized if one day you're hanging around the airport and your dream job walks right up to you. (Kids are off to college and you've got 10 good years left in you - enjoy!)

 

[bobbysamd]

Leaving flying

I know exactly how you feel. Take it from someone who knows, you've made a good decision. I appreciate your analysis of the situation.

Sometimes, circumstances beyond our control dictate the life decisions we make, or are backed into making. Without belaboring the point any more than necessary (read my other posts for details), I had to make a similar decision after I lost my last aviation job. Sometimes, stability, steady work and a steady paycheck from a so-called "real" job during uncertain times must take precedence over our preferences and dreams.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Brasgaucho]

Hansel,

Couple days ago I posted some issues I have been facing with my aviation career. Sometimes I takes sombody else to open ones eyes; you just did that to me.

take care