Well, you youngsters, beat this for optimism: I'm 49, had a PPL since 1972 but only got 300 hours - long absences from flying due to family, work and "lack of healthy selfishness" - used to be a tug-pilot and gliding instructor, gold badge and 700 hours, did a couple of competitons in the '70s but haven't flown a glider since 1992. Got a Class 1 medical in 1980 with a view to flying commercially and have maintained it by renewing each time I renewed the PPL medical, keeping the dream alive....In 1999 I was faced with possible redundancy so thought "it's now or never" and so I tried to get through the ATPLs before the JAR system came in....nearly did, but failed to get the partial pass by gnat's whisker TWICE in December 99 with a frantic re-sit when I discovered I'd failed the first time (£££ and effort)....BUT... have now (March 01) FINALLY got through all the UK CPL exams (Nav and Tech)and am booked to start the flying, this weekend, for the JAR CPL (Restricted) licence. Aiming for an instructor rating and eventually an IR and a bit of air taxi work, who knows? I've worked as an engineer for 30 years, looking up wistfully at aeroplanes and now I'm finally doing something about it! Message is...LIVE YOUR DREAM BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
[This message has been edited by old optimist (edited 10 April 2001).]