Advice - age/experience
At the age of 40 I am considering a career change and very much hope to take up a position as a commercial pilot.
Having read a number of messages on this site, airlines appear to pay significant regard to an individuals potential to deal with mangerial issues including CRM and the wider role of managing the organisation which provides the service to the customer, in addition to flying potential/ability.
I am a senior manager in one of the UK's largest emergency services. Having served in a number of positions over the past 21 years, I am currently responsible for managing a divison of 350 operational personnel and a discretionary spend budget of £1/3million. In addition I rountinely take responsibility for command at a range of emergency incidents.
My academic background includes 'A' levels in maths and physics and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from one of the UK's leading business schools.
Flying experience is limited to time spent in the Air Cadets many years ago, current interests include flying radio control aeroplanes.
The questions are; how much of an issue is age, can the other factors these out-weigh the number 40? What is the chance of gaining employment/paid training with an airline?
The Aer Lingus CEP scheme for example does not state a maximum age, are there any other issues that I need to consider, do other airlines operate similar schemes to Aer Lingus?.
All replies gratefully received.