PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - My dream - advice please (collective thread)
Old 25th March 2026 | 04:25
  #648 (permalink)  
rudestuff
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 2005
: ATPL
Posts: 4,970
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From: Hong Kong
Originally Posted by WOWI
I have spent the last 10 years or so in B2B sales making pretty good money. My dream when I was younger was to become a pilot but somehow that got put to one side.

My questions are as follows:

1. I am in my mid 30’s is it too late to start now?
2. Educational qualifications are not the best.
3. It will probably take me a while to save up to self fund so I will be in my 40’s by then.

Have I missed the boat?
30's is the time most people start, definitely not too late. Qualifications aren't as important as your ability to get them. You can grow out of laziness but you're stupid for life.

If you're focused and hard working it takes 2-3 years to go from zero to having the funds for a fATPL.
+ 2-3 years if you smoke/drink.
+ 5-infinity years if you have a wife/kids.
(Divorce is cheaper before becoming a pilot than afterwards.)
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