From Engineer to Professional Pilot: Tom’s Career Change
Tom left engineering to chase a lifelong goal, owning a Cessna 150 and a Mooney along the way.
Tom had a successful engineering career, then left it to become a professional pilot. In Episode 332, he talks about the money, the training and the family side of a big career change.
- 01Owning a Cessna 150, then a Mooney
- 02The finances and challenges of each
- 03Combining instruction with self-directed training
- 04Persevering through industry uncertainty
- 05Family support and risk
Two airplanes
Tom owned a Cessna 150 and later a Mooney, and talks through the finances and challenges of each.
Training his way
He combined traditional instruction with his own self-directed work.
The emotional side
He discusses family support, the risks of a career change and persistence through industry uncertainty.
Tom
Tom is a commercial pilot who left an engineering career to fly professionally.
Frequently asked questions
Can an engineer become a professional pilot?
Tom left an engineering career to become a commercial pilot, and explains how in this episode.
What airplanes has Tom owned?
A Cessna 150 and later a Mooney.
