Career Change to Airline Pilot: From Professional Tuba Player to the Flight Deck
A professional tuba player, a pandemic, a family hotel and a YouTube rabbit hole. How David traded orchestra halls for a path to the airlines.
Most people would talk themselves out of a career change like this one. David spent most of a decade as a professional tuba player. Then a global pandemic, a family hotel and a YouTube rabbit hole pointed him toward flying.
In Episode 362, he walks Justin through the switch, and why the best advice he can give is to be the best version of wherever you are right now.
- 01How a pandemic sparked a career change into aviation
- 02The Part 141 vs Part 61 decision
- 03What to look for in a flight school
- 04A stage check that became his most memorable moment as a CFI
- 05What a five-minute orchestra audition teaches about preparation
A family of pilots and musicians
Aviation and music both run in David’s family. His uncle flew F-18s in the Marines and later became a captain flying UPS MD-11s. His dad plays the organ, and his twin sister teaches choir in Texas.
Choosing how to train
David and Justin dig into the Part 141 versus Part 61 debate, and David describes a flight school that felt like family.
Lessons from the orchestra
An orchestra audition can last three to five minutes, and there is no second chance. David explains how that taught him to show up prepared, a lesson that carried straight into checkrides and instructing.
Be where you are
His advice for career changers is not to fix your eyes only on the end goal. Be the best version of wherever you are now.
David
David spent most of a decade as a professional tuba player before changing careers to aviation. He has worked as a certified flight instructor on his way to the airlines.
Frequently asked questions
Can you become an airline pilot as a career change?
Yes. In this episode David describes leaving a decade-long career as a professional tuba player to train as a pilot and work toward the airlines.
Part 141 or Part 61: which is better?
David and Justin discuss the trade-offs between the two in this episode. The right choice depends on your schedule, budget and the school itself.
What did David do as a CFI?
He worked as a certified flight instructor while building time, and shares the stage check that became his most memorable moment in the role.
