Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Biz Jets, Ag Flying, GA etc.
Reload this Page >

36 years old - still time to be a corporate pilot?

Wikiposts
Search
Biz Jets, Ag Flying, GA etc. The place for discussion of issues related to corporate, Ag and GA aviation. If you're a professional pilot and don't fly for the airlines then try here.

36 years old - still time to be a corporate pilot?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 19th May 2005, 14:31
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: canada
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
36 years old - still time to be a corporate pilot?

Good day, I am wondering at the age of 36 whether it is getting late to switch avenues and attempt to get into a corporate pilot position. I currently have approximately 740 hours total time and building. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
kloe is offline  
Old 19th May 2005, 15:05
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Merry old England
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Never too late.

Try Net Jets based out of Portugal. The commute would be a bit of a bummer though!

Also, try the right forum. This isnt really a 'rumour or news'.

Good luck
Duff beer is offline  
Old 19th May 2005, 15:09
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Dubai - sand land.
Age: 55
Posts: 2,832
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
plenty of time and best of luck
White Knight is offline  
Old 19th May 2005, 15:19
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bristol
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Never too old. Got my first job on a corporate jet at 38 yrs old with 300 hrs TT. Right place, right time. Netjets Europe wont consider you without 1500hrs. Get that resume out to as many operations as possible and eventually you may get lucky.
Good luck
CPTVOR is offline  
Old 19th May 2005, 19:39
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Age: 61
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I was 36 and had about 800 hours total when I started my corporate flying career about 6 years ago. I took a 75% pay cut from my previous job when I first started as a flight instructor, making that switch was the best thing I ever did. I'm now finally making the same money as I would have made at my old job and I'm a lot happier to boot.

36 is deffinitely not too late to start.
Astra driver is offline  
Old 19th May 2005, 23:04
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Where the Quaboag River flows, USA
Age: 71
Posts: 3,414
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Not a problem and good luck. I just got a CL-604 job after being out of corporate for 20 years. I look forward to meeting you on the road.

You need (hate the word) to network. Get a good resume and knock on corporate flight dep't doors. Be pleasant and ready to learn. Don't press to the point you are being shown the door. Most flight dept bosses have been just where you are and are very understanding. If they are welcoming and listen to your efforts at finding a job, you know they will good to work for, if an offer comes.

GF
galaxy flyer is offline  
Old 20th May 2005, 20:08
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Got my first full-time flying at age 44. Currently flying as a Biz jet captain. Never give up. Its not impossible the older you are, just harder. As CPTVOR says you need to be in the right place at the right time. Best of luck.
rightbank is offline  
Old 24th May 2005, 07:21
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Everywhere
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Talking

I am 33 years old and since 2 year captain of a bizjet, i am flying with a lot of colleagues that are older than me and olso with no prewious experience, they are very good and sometime theyr maturity help them in our job, never too old good luck!!!
pistulaza is offline  
Old 24th May 2005, 09:17
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: way out west
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey kloe, I'm relying on late thirties not being too late!

I'm in just about the same position as you but see great opportunities out there as this sector expands over the next few years (if EBASE reports and a/c sales are anything to go by). I realise I will probably have to pay for a TR and take a huge pay cut for a while, but I certainly expect to spend the next few years flying bizjets.

At our age, I am sure we bring certain qualities that younger guys can't and are therefore possibly more attractive to corporate outfits' CPs. Possible niche area for the 'older, wiser' driver? (Comments?).

Anyway, previous posts seem to be reasons to be hopeful, if not cheerful!

Good Luck!

the Wings
theWings is offline  
Old 28th May 2005, 10:00
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: all over the place
Age: 63
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi there, just be persistant. I just got my first corporate jet job at 44.
pilotbear is offline  
Old 4th Jun 2005, 01:02
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I flew small turboprops for only a year before getting on the Citation X. Corporate jet companies in my experience have wildly varied minimum requirements in comparison to the norm of big airlines. Some will recruit directly from commercial schools, others demand many hundreds of hours of previous commercial experience. Every company is different. It is a good way to get jet time perhaps sooner than heavy jet operators would have you. And I started at 38. Good luck.
Fox Alpha is offline  
Old 4th Jun 2005, 16:46
  #12 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: canada
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
alpha fox how many hours did you have at 38 when you got the corporate job?

thanks
kloe is offline  
Old 5th Jun 2005, 12:48
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
About 1600 as I recall.
Fox Alpha is offline  
Old 5th Jun 2005, 17:41
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: out of my suitcase
Age: 51
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Go for it!

I was a lawyer when i quit everything for flying. Was doing a big load of money (daddys compay). I packed my things, kissed Mama good bye and left for the US where my first salary (or was it a gratuity) was exactly 1/12th of the previous month. Six years later i just cannot get enough of my job.
I look at some of my buddies who did not do it and they still question themselves: What if ...

Best of luck

Welcome
LearjetGA is offline  
Old 8th Jun 2005, 23:09
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Nearest Bombardier AMO
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Kloe!

Nope, not too late. The age can count in your favour, as prospective employers will be more inclined to believe you than the 20-year-old when he hears 'No interest to go to the airlines', for obvious reasons.

Best of luck, see you on the road!

Bug
Doodlebug is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.