No, High Wing Drifter, I don't hold a type rating. However, my understanding of the first TR is that this is where you are going to learn a huge amount in a short period of time. From my experience as an FI this is where older blokes tend to struggle. I posted the same answer on a similar thread some time ago and another member had this to say:-
Couldn't argue with you there at all. Whilst the ground school stuff went into the old grey cells quick enough, the flying was tough. It's all relative but I can well remember the youngsters on my course being shown something just once and once they got it, they remembered it for good.
A doctor I know confirms this is fact. Up to a certain age an individual can take something in, sleep on it and when they wake up it's still there, often even clearer. Beyond that age (whatever it is for the individual), a good deal of it can be lost the following morning.
Bit of a b@stard, but that's life.
The whole self sponsored type rating thing may change things a little bit. If you mess up it's you who pays so perhaps this will favour older pilots in getting a break. As far as I'm concerned though, if you are training over 40 then I would say that the risk of needing loads of extra training increases and the chance of a good job at the end decreases. If anyone wants to crucify me for saying this, I don't blame you.