Exploring new paths in 2026.....

[Shiftace]

Hello and Happy New Year 2026!

I've been on JC since 2008, but have been a bit slow to make the switch to flying as a full-time career. But I think 2026 is the year for me. I know, I might be a bit late to the party given I am in my mid-40s, but better late than never as they say.

I have been CFI-ing since 2021 and made the switch the full-time instructing (at a collegiate program) in 2023. However, my time-building was hampered a bit when I got offered more of a faculty position. The money, benefits and retirement was good - and beat working as a part-time CFI for 20 bucks an hour.

Hovering around 1100 hours, I am looking for the next opportunity in the 91 or 135 world. These hours are probably not competitive, but I remain optimistic. I am in the Midwest, and open to relocation.

Do you have any leads or know anyone hiring with these hours? I am committed to my current employer through the semester; and will be available in June/July 2026.

Thanks!

 

[luke3]

Best of luck! 40s is definitely not too old, especially if you're not chasing a widebody Captain job in 121. Better to go for it than have regrets later in life.

It's been a while since I was in that part of the industry, but from what I remember the Midwest actually has a lot of opportunities. How close are you to 135 IFR PIC mins once you get to 1200 total? Pretty much all the turboprop freight operators out of MKE are always looking for PICs on their single pilot aircraft, or SICs in their 2-pilot aircraft. Same can be said for the cargo operators out of YIP and PTK if you have the stomach for that type of flying. I know Northern Jet hires SICs around your experience level. I'm not too sure how it's going now between their Midwest and Florida operations. Last I heard the Midwest side is where you want to be, but maybe @SteveC has more info. On the Aviation Career Mentorship page on FB Sage-Popovich advertised a few times per year for lower time SIC positions, usually in Hawkers.

 

[DE727UPS]

You need to be racking up hours as much as you can. 1500 and ATP is a bit of a benchmark but 1200 is IFR 135 mins. The best thing you should have going for you is networking. Maybe here at JC but I'm thinking more so with your ex-students. Seek out the ones at the 135 freight outfits. The Amflights, Alpines, ect. Try to stay away from Caravan's unless it will lead quickly to 99's or 1900's. Multi turbine and 1500 total will open a lot of doors. The key is knowing somebody that will recommend you at bare minimums to set you apart. I'm hearing times aren't great right now. I just saw a UND grad, R-ATP, looking for a CFI job on a facebook page. Also, you need to be willing to drop everything at a moments notice and go to where ever this next job is. Don't limit yourself to the mid-west. You can get back there later but the more limits you put on yourself the longer it will take to move up the food chain.

 

[ppragman]

Hello and Happy New Year 2026!

I've been on JC since 2008, but have been a bit slow to make the switch to flying as a full-time career. But I think 2026 is the year for me. I know, I might be a bit late to the party given I am in my mid-40s, but better late than never as they say.

I have been CFI-ing since 2021 and made the switch the full-time instructing (at a collegiate program) in 2023. However, my time-building was hampered a bit when I got offered more of a faculty position. The money, benefits and retirement was good - and beat working as a part-time CFI for 20 bucks an hour.

Hovering around 1100 hours, I am looking for the next opportunity in the 91 or 135 world. These hours are probably not competitive, but I remain optimistic. I am in the Midwest, and open to relocation.

Do you have any leads or know anyone hiring with these hours? I am committed to my current employer through the semester; and will be available in June/July 2026.

Thanks!

All roads lead to Bethel. Come north and you could literally commute to your flying job and live wherever you want.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Depending on your definition of Midwest, and where you would consider moving to in the Midwest, I may be able to offer some contacts.

Send me a pm if you’d like to discuss the Southern Indiana area.

Brad

 

[SteveC]

... I know Northern Jet hires SICs around your experience level. I'm not too sure how it's going now between their Midwest and Florida operations. Last I heard the Midwest side is where you want to be, but maybe @SteveC has more info. …

I’ve been completely out of touch since retirement. (Even missed a retirement party that I would have wanted to be at because they used LinkedIn to try to let me know, and I seldom look at it anymore.) The merger happened after I left, so no direct knowledge on that aspect either. Sorry…

 

[Shiftace]

Depending on your definition of Midwest, and where you would consider moving to in the Midwest, I may be able to offer some contacts.

Send me a pm if you’d like to discuss the Southern Indiana area.

Brad

Ohio to the Dakotas to Kansas/Missouri.... That's my definition of the Midwest.

PM sent.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

Hello and Happy New Year 2026!

I've been on JC since 2008, but have been a bit slow to make the switch to flying as a full-time career. But I think 2026 is the year for me. I know, I might be a bit late to the party given I am in my mid-40s, but better late than never as they say.

I have been CFI-ing since 2021 and made the switch the full-time instructing (at a collegiate program) in 2023. However, my time-building was hampered a bit when I got offered more of a faculty position. The money, benefits and retirement was good - and beat working as a part-time CFI for 20 bucks an hour.

Hovering around 1100 hours, I am looking for the next opportunity in the 91 or 135 world. These hours are probably not competitive, but I remain optimistic. I am in the Midwest, and open to relocation.

Don't give up! The good news is - you haven't missed anything in the last year or so, and 400 more hours can go by fast. The other middle-aged, 1500+ hour CFIs I know seem to be starting to see some traction.

The multi time and ATP/CTP are expensive, so I would say making a plan for that is big. Finding an MEI gig is probably best-case right now.