Mature, married, low time.....any hope?
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Mature, married, low time.....any hope?
I have 700 TT, MECIR, GR 2 instructor rating, about 70 hours total multi time, I'm 29yo, very happily married with one child. The current sceen in the south eastern states is PITIFUL to say the absolute least. The MD of the flying school/charter company where I "work" has the motivation of a sandstone brick!!..thus, not much charter work. (I live in VIC). My ultimate aim has always been, and will always be, to get a nice, secure job with a regional. I know there are many of you out there in similar situations. On behalf of all these people, I appeal to all you out there who have "made it" recently, for serious advice.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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Having been in the same situation as you once myself(and not much better off now), my advice to you would be keep plugging away at it. If your activly looking for work, you will get it one day. in the meantime, get used to eating rice based meals as they are really cheap... 
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Highbypass- I have two questions:
1- Do you have your ATPL subjects ?
2- Is your family happy to move interstate ?
If yes to both, you have all the hope in the world. My suggestion is to go Northern Queensland, The Territory or WA. You may have to fly singles for a larger proportion of your early career, but in my experience it is more likely to be a full time position, which allows you to financially survive with a family (you still won't live well). Also, after comparing my five years in the NT,at up to 900hrs/yr, things can happen a little faster for you, than instructing casually at (guess) 300hrs/yr. At 29, and prepared to go to a remote community for a couple of yrs at the most,and then in the likes of Cairns or Darwin, and - you already have your ATPL subjects-, it is completely possible to be at age 32 in a regional airline down south. The reason I'm hammering the ATPL's down your throat is that in most full time GA jobs , you spend a lot of hours on the job. It's difficult to find the time to study long distance, especially with a family, and very expensive and difficult to organise time off to come down south for a course. I knew a couple of guys that had enough hours for the airlines long before they passed their subjects.
And finally, it's such a great part of Australia, you may just choose to stay there.
1- Do you have your ATPL subjects ?
2- Is your family happy to move interstate ?
If yes to both, you have all the hope in the world. My suggestion is to go Northern Queensland, The Territory or WA. You may have to fly singles for a larger proportion of your early career, but in my experience it is more likely to be a full time position, which allows you to financially survive with a family (you still won't live well). Also, after comparing my five years in the NT,at up to 900hrs/yr, things can happen a little faster for you, than instructing casually at (guess) 300hrs/yr. At 29, and prepared to go to a remote community for a couple of yrs at the most,and then in the likes of Cairns or Darwin, and - you already have your ATPL subjects-, it is completely possible to be at age 32 in a regional airline down south. The reason I'm hammering the ATPL's down your throat is that in most full time GA jobs , you spend a lot of hours on the job. It's difficult to find the time to study long distance, especially with a family, and very expensive and difficult to organise time off to come down south for a course. I knew a couple of guys that had enough hours for the airlines long before they passed their subjects.
And finally, it's such a great part of Australia, you may just choose to stay there.
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Theres definitely hope, as long as you are willing to relocate.
Being a bit older than the majority of low timers is , in my opinion , advantageous. A more mature pilot is a better pilot.
You will obiviously have more experience in the workplace in general and probably other skills to offer a prospective employer.
I'm the same age as you. I did my Instrument Rating with a 36yo(both had 300tt) and we are both now doing extremely well.
It is good to see previous posts indicate the same thing. Keep plugging away.
Being a bit older than the majority of low timers is , in my opinion , advantageous. A more mature pilot is a better pilot.
You will obiviously have more experience in the workplace in general and probably other skills to offer a prospective employer.
I'm the same age as you. I did my Instrument Rating with a 36yo(both had 300tt) and we are both now doing extremely well.
It is good to see previous posts indicate the same thing. Keep plugging away.
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Motivation is the thing you need to have in spades. ATPL(subjects at least) is obviously antoher one. As the other guys said, a move may be the best option. However, if you cannot, then look for a company that has a variety of flying in vic. It's always easier to move up than accross.
It's hard to keep the motivation up when you are trudging out to the aircraft for your fifth lesson of effects of controls for the day in an aircraft that is too small, with too little performance for too little money. Get your Grade I, teach some ME/CIR and it will all come in handy in the future. Keep plugging away at it and remember alot of students like to see the odd grey hair on the head of their instructor.
ps send off applications to everyone!
It's hard to keep the motivation up when you are trudging out to the aircraft for your fifth lesson of effects of controls for the day in an aircraft that is too small, with too little performance for too little money. Get your Grade I, teach some ME/CIR and it will all come in handy in the future. Keep plugging away at it and remember alot of students like to see the odd grey hair on the head of their instructor.
ps send off applications to everyone!
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Highbypass G'day,
Firstly, completely forget worrying about your age. It's only an obstacle if YOU make it one. Secondly, aim for the majors, if that's what you're really after. If they don't work out, regionals do offer a great career, don't sell your self short.
Thirdly, get rid of the wife & kid, they're only going to be a hindrance & worry, only joking mate.
Having spent some time in Darwin, not only is it the best place to get
solid charter work, eventually progressing to twins, but your family will probably find it a pleasant place to live.
If you cannot get a flying position straight away, you'll be able to find other work.
If patient you should get a position.
Before you leave Vic, complete you're ATP's.
Don't leave home without them!!!
Finally as a word of encouragement, I did not
get my first position until I was 31. I am currently flying twins, at 2nd stage with a major airline, on the hold file with a regional. I am 35 yrs.
All the very best & good luck to you & your family.
Firstly, completely forget worrying about your age. It's only an obstacle if YOU make it one. Secondly, aim for the majors, if that's what you're really after. If they don't work out, regionals do offer a great career, don't sell your self short.
Thirdly, get rid of the wife & kid, they're only going to be a hindrance & worry, only joking mate.
Having spent some time in Darwin, not only is it the best place to get
solid charter work, eventually progressing to twins, but your family will probably find it a pleasant place to live.
If you cannot get a flying position straight away, you'll be able to find other work.
If patient you should get a position.
Before you leave Vic, complete you're ATP's.
Don't leave home without them!!!
Finally as a word of encouragement, I did not
get my first position until I was 31. I am currently flying twins, at 2nd stage with a major airline, on the hold file with a regional. I am 35 yrs.
All the very best & good luck to you & your family.
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I must sincerely thank you all very much for your encouraging comments. 
I do feel much better about my prospects after reading them. Although they do open up even more questions. 
I am currently doing my ATPL's. If all goes well, I will have them finished by October. After then, I'm planning on making the big move. Does anyone have anything on places like Dubbo, or Tamworth or places of similar distance from Melbourne? My wife is not very keen on living in remote communities.
Thanks again and don't be shy to continue to offer comments, Including any ATPL theory providers that are recomended. Also since I don't have year 12 either, any recomended bridging courses.
I do feel much better about my prospects after reading them. Although they do open up even more questions. I am currently doing my ATPL's. If all goes well, I will have them finished by October. After then, I'm planning on making the big move. Does anyone have anything on places like Dubbo, or Tamworth or places of similar distance from Melbourne? My wife is not very keen on living in remote communities.Thanks again and don't be shy to continue to offer comments, Including any ATPL theory providers that are recomended. Also since I don't have year 12 either, any recomended bridging courses.
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Nathan Higgins sorted me out for ATPLs. That was about five years ago and I'm sure he's still going.
Shame your wife isn't keen on remote communities but what about Darwin? Alright, it's not exactly the cultural centre of Australia but there are a lot worse places and there's such a good feeling when you leave
Stick with it. Worked for me.
Shame your wife isn't keen on remote communities but what about Darwin? Alright, it's not exactly the cultural centre of Australia but there are a lot worse places and there's such a good feeling when you leave
Stick with it. Worked for me.
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G'day Bboy,
Not sure if this is the right topic to start this on, but as I said, IMHO, from my experiences age doesn't necessarily mean maturity. No offence intended to anyone on this topic, especially not to highbypass.
I agree 100% that a more mature pilot is a better one, but as I said, I don't believe that age = maturity.
cheers
Not sure if this is the right topic to start this on, but as I said, IMHO, from my experiences age doesn't necessarily mean maturity. No offence intended to anyone on this topic, especially not to highbypass.
I agree 100% that a more mature pilot is a better one, but as I said, I don't believe that age = maturity.
cheers
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Flintstone, thanks for your reply. Darwin would definately be okay for us. However, is there work for someone of my experience there, or would I be forced to start in a remote comunity? I thought that all the work in Darwin or similar places (ie. Alice) would mostly be twin work that requires at least a few hundred hours multi experience first.
[ 03 September 2001: Message edited by: Highbypass ]
[ 03 September 2001: Message edited by: Highbypass ]
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highbypass, I have 220 TT, missus and dog, am 26 yrs old. In a month today, I am leaving for Darwin.
I dont have Gr 2 or any real multi time. If I can do it, so can you...!!
put it this way, if we both apply for the same job, there is a pretty good chance you will get it before me.
seeya there.
I dont have Gr 2 or any real multi time. If I can do it, so can you...!!
put it this way, if we both apply for the same job, there is a pretty good chance you will get it before me.
seeya there.
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G'day Hi BP,
the only other thing I can suggest regarding your high school subjects is that you look up the CQU (central queensland university, rockhampton). they offer bridging courses in Physics, maths and I believe english. these courses are airline approved and can be done quite quickly.
cheers and goodluck,
QA
the only other thing I can suggest regarding your high school subjects is that you look up the CQU (central queensland university, rockhampton). they offer bridging courses in Physics, maths and I believe english. these courses are airline approved and can be done quite quickly.
cheers and goodluck,
QA
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Hi...I'm 33 and still on the wrong side of 1,000 hours, doing it tough in the sweat shop that is G.A. I just wanted to say how encouraging it has been to read this thread. I registered just to make this post because I know how encouraging it must be for other "oldies" to know we're not alone. In fact, I've been thinking of giving it all away, but to know others are succeeding (and have done so) at an older age gives one hope.
