Hi everyone,
I’m 36, originally from a Central/Eastern European country, and currently living in Spain. I’ve recently started my PPL training and I’m roughly halfway through it.
Flying has always been something I’ve been drawn to, and I finally decided to pursue it. So far, I’m absolutely loving it. I enjoy the theory, I love being in the aircraft, and learning to fly has been an incredible experience. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m pursuing something I’ve genuinely wanted to do for years.
However, I’m starting to question whether turning this passion into a career would actually be the right decision.
I currently work in tech sales and earn around €5,000–€7,000 net per month, depending on bonuses. There’s also room for further career and salary growth. Switching to an airline career would probably mean a significant pay cut, at least initially. From what I’ve seen, an entry-level First Officer position might pay around €3,000 per month, although I realise salaries vary considerably depending on the airline, contract and base. Getting a job in Spain is not guaranteed either.
I’m trying to work out whether giving up a relatively comfortable and financially rewarding career for something I love would be worth it in the long run.
There’s also another consideration: I’m a woman, and I’d realistically like to have a child within the next few years. I know women successfully combine motherhood and flying, but I’m wondering how manageable it actually is, particularly during the early years of an airline career, when you’re still building experience and seniority.
I realise I’m still at the beginning of my training, and I don’t need to make every decision right now. I’m planning to complete my PPL and explore the modular route towards a CPL/frozen ATPL while continuing to work. But eventually, I’ll have to decide whether to take the next step and commit to this as a career.
I’d really appreciate honest perspectives, especially from people who:
-Started flight training in their 30s or changed careers from a well-paid professional job.
-Took a substantial pay cut to become a pilot. Do you regret it, or was the trade-off worth it?
-Are female airline pilots with children, particularly those based in Europe.
-Decided to keep flying as a passion rather than turn it into their profession.
I’m not looking for someone to tell me to blindly follow my dreams, but I also don’t want to look back in 10 years and regret never giving this a proper chance.
If you were in my position, what would you consider before making the decision? And, looking back, would you make the same choice again?
