Hello.
C'mon. 30. That's the best age. Stable career to fund training/flying, good credit for unsecured loan should one not have a house as a guarantee.
On the other hand, chance one's got wifey and wee weans so flying in the US isn't good for too long.. Plus having to keep job to pay mortgage or so..
RE RAF - can't tell/don't care/ for pilots, but MOD changed max recruitment age upwards about year or two ago. Ie you can still get killed in infantry at a later stage of your life should you wish so..
I wish I'd be finished with all training (rotary and some FW) by the age I'm 30. Money mainly.. (25 now)
Correct me guys if I'm wrong, but most of us start PPL as a beginner, right?
Unless you count 'recreational pilot' or NPPL or someone who's got the gist of AL, Met etc from powered hangglider, paraglider or glider.
You got the books, enthusiasm, some spare time and money.
What else do you want? :-P
Adrenaline you had mostly dissipates over the coming lessons as your body gets used to it. The great feeling of flying won't.
Enjoy flying.