Originally Posted by
truckflyer
"VariablePitchP" - warning, the advice given is extremely bad, actually some of the first I have seen, whoever they are, they clearly do not know the aviation world in Europe very well.
First my personal opinion I think you will struggle to get in with the airlines as your first job, definitely if you follow "VariablePitchP" advice. At this stage in life you have very few options. Brexit has not helped you, as you can't offer yourself to all of the EU, where there would have been some obscure opportunities to get a first job to get some experience.
I had a similar journey as you would like to embark on, but I was 10 years younger when I started, and due to the pandemic it took me around 10 years to get me to where I wanted and needed to be (should have been 8 if not for Covi, and I still have left another 11-12 years. I lost 2.5 years because of the pandemic, but I was lucky still having a job.
Are the jobs available for people your age, maybe, but going modular I would say at this stage you can forget getting an airline job. I did go modular myself, I waited 12 months after finishing before I got my first job with an EU operator, so I had to commute for this first job,
ATPL's would take you at least 6 months in the best case, another 6 - 12 months for CPL / IR / ME and MCC / JOC etc, you would be a lower hour pilot with no jet experience, and you will have spent at least 18 months, and imagine you are lucky and have a miracle, maybe in 30 months you get your first job as an FO (which I doubt will happen) You have lost at least 3 years living in uncertainty and spent loads of money and might still have no job to show for, and if you do have a job, expect to be paid not very well for at least 4 - 5 years.
I am no fan of the big training organizations, I think they overcharge and are taking advantage of people wanting to be pilots, however your best chance at your age, is that you manage to get enrolled in a course where you are guaranteed a job at the end of training. Sure modular will save you a lot of money, but what good is that if you have no job at the end of it.
I had a friend who did the course same time as me similar your age, and he was realistic in what was possible to achieve, of course he might get offered some job eventually, but I doubt you will ever make Captain with an airline if you go modular route. Even if you follow a program, there is a massive backlog in FO's who are waiting for upgrade, so expect it to take 5 -7 years from you start working.
If you have the money, apply and pass a course that guarantees you a job with an airline. At your age, you don't have time be messing around with other flying to gain experience, if that is what you want to do.
Get your medical first though, you might think you are fit, but there are thinks that can be hidden like ECG etc. that might be issues you are not aware of, so get that initial Class 1 done.
If you are happy to work as an instructor, then modular is maybe the way to go, depends what your goals are.
I am a Brit, started my PPL on a modular route to trying to launch an aviation career at 36, in the year before the pandemic hit. I followed a completely modular path. In 12 days time I will start my type rating for a job with an airline at age 39.
So I'd completely disagree with your point of view in terms of jobs being available. I think at the moment it is actually incredibly hard to predict how airlines see the next year or so panning out, some will be conservative, some will want to have learned the lessons of the immediate post covid period and invest to be ready for rebound. Maybe some are figuring they will steal passengers from their more expensive competitors in this next year or so period.
For 73DT.... In terms of age, being 50 might limit you in some ways (as no airline is looking to hire a career FO)... however, a lot of the less glamorous name airlines are also aware that they are going to lose a fair number of their younger FOs and Capts. to the big boys, whereas an older hire is likely to be more loyal. They'll see a person who might stay with them for the rest of their working life, and that'll be a good enough for them to see a potential captain. Also don't downplay the fact that the older candidates have a massive amount of experience and transferable skills on the CV. One of the differences between a 20 year old and an older pilot is, sure, career longevity. But on the flip side, if you're looking at a pile of CVs that are identical, and then a guy who's had an interesting career, collected a bunch of qualifications etc. pops out, that's not a disadvantage!
At the end of the day, its really up to what you're willing to gamble. To be clear, be you 20 or 50, there is no guaranteed job at the end of the training process. The 20 year old has the advantage of more time to be able to wait, and probably less financial commitments to take care of. You as an older candidate have the advantage of a far more attractive CV in comparison to 90% of the kiddies, and the impression that you must REALLY want to do the job if you're attempting it at this age!
I'd say go for it, because it's worked out for me so far. I'm sure there are people who'll say avoid like the plague because they, or people they know, didn't have a great outcome... choice is yours! Good luck!