When did you start your training, and where are you at now?
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Hampshire/Surrey
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Started flying at 28. Took a year to complete my PPL while working. Took a year out did my professional licences. Began working for my old employer again until I got my first commercial job @ 31.5 yrs young (don't you just hate that phrase?).
Got my first jet job @ 33.5.
You are nowhere near too old. Organise yourself and tackle each hurdle in turn.
Got my first jet job @ 33.5.
You are nowhere near too old. Organise yourself and tackle each hurdle in turn.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: here & there
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I started my training when i was 20. 4 years later got fATPL and ME/IR. After more than a year of unemployment (and 8 hours of flying) i managed to get a contract as a pilot flying multipilot/turboprops.I had almost given up with hope of getting a job as a pilot
but im glad that i didnt take any of the other jobs.So my advice would b Keep looking and sending ur CV to as many places as u can
lennu
but im glad that i didnt take any of the other jobs.So my advice would b Keep looking and sending ur CV to as many places as u canlennu
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: Suffolk UK
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Started as a glider pilot in 1970, at 15. Started training on jets in the RAF in 1977, age 21. Became a captain on Hercules in 1983, age 27. Became an RAF QFI (instructor) in 1987 on Bulldogs and, later, back on Hercules. Joned Virgin on the B747-200 in 1998. Moved to the A340 in 2002. Currently doing command conversion.
Have somewhere around 14000 hours (must do my logbook!), but only about 10 types: Jet Provost T3/5, Hawk, Hunter FGA9/T7, Jetstream T1, Hercules C1/K/3, Bulldog, Chipmunk, B742, A343, A346. Flown (but not operational on) several others: Lightning, VC10, Tristar, Tucano, Robin, Seneca, Chinook, Sea King, HH53, and probably a few others!
In other words: been there, done that, got the T-shirt!
Scroggs
Have somewhere around 14000 hours (must do my logbook!), but only about 10 types: Jet Provost T3/5, Hawk, Hunter FGA9/T7, Jetstream T1, Hercules C1/K/3, Bulldog, Chipmunk, B742, A343, A346. Flown (but not operational on) several others: Lightning, VC10, Tristar, Tucano, Robin, Seneca, Chinook, Sea King, HH53, and probably a few others!
In other words: been there, done that, got the T-shirt!
Scroggs
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: UK
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Started flying in 1997 aged 18. Flew heavy turboprops at 19 then A320's and A330's. Now RHS on A340-300/600's.
You are not too old but you're not too young either. In fact you're probably about the best age to start.
You are not too old but you're not too young either. In fact you're probably about the best age to start.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK
Age: 47
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Just about to turn 29, CPL/IR finished in 2004. First job after 6 months flying C172 for aerial photography outfit (great fun, no pay). Now flying large multi piston (C402b & 404) for survey company. No wish to join an airline anytime soon, real flying is far too much fun.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dubai
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I started flying in Norway when i was 23. I am now 29 with around 4500 hours and currently RHS on the B737-800 for a US Airline flying charter all over the world. I did the flight instructor route followed by light twin and turboprops before moving on to the EMB-145 for a US regional airline. Who knows where i'll go next....
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Andover, Hampshire, UK
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Originally Posted by scroggs
In other words: been there, done that, got the T-shirt!
Scroggs
Scroggs
As for t-shirts... I've earned quite a few brown-stained ones while gliding, and usually involving cb's. I think I've learn't those essential gliding survival lessons now; i.e. big stinking line of black looking grot coming your way, then get away or get down and in the bar.
If you see this Scroggs.. just wondering where you did your gliding? I remember you saying Years back that you operated at Lyneham, when I was still stuck in Shrivenham.
Sky
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Vancouver
Age: 43
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Thanks for the reply!
I am still going at it. I tried for a cadet interview but failed. I am taking lessons privately towards my own PPL and onwards.
Since then I have changed jobs into a consulting role just so I get the chance to fly more. This is actually quite a big change and is giving me a feel for the pilot lifestyle. I am enjoying it and can see myself living this lifestyle
thanks again!
I am still going at it. I tried for a cadet interview but failed. I am taking lessons privately towards my own PPL and onwards.
Since then I have changed jobs into a consulting role just so I get the chance to fly more. This is actually quite a big change and is giving me a feel for the pilot lifestyle. I am enjoying it and can see myself living this lifestyle
thanks again!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Andover, Hampshire, UK
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Ha! Yes it's always fun to fit the job around the flying, although (for me) less rewarding in the money stakes. Any job offering more would not be flexible enough to cope with the flying (I'm sure there are exceptions! I certainly know of a few IT consultants who work for a few months then have the rest of the year off ... they must be very very good!). For myself, I had to pull my finger out and go all out towards a frozen atpl as I'm a total monkey in a non-flying office.
Keep it up, and pay Cranfield a visit if you can and I'll buy you a beer! A non-alcoholic one so you can fly back again of course!
Sky
Edit: Ahh! You're in Vancouver eh? That's a fair way from Cranfield.. I'll have to fedex you that beer!
Keep it up, and pay Cranfield a visit if you can and I'll buy you a beer! A non-alcoholic one so you can fly back again of course!
Sky
Edit: Ahh! You're in Vancouver eh? That's a fair way from Cranfield.. I'll have to fedex you that beer!
Started age 15
Solo: 16
PPL: 17
CPL (A): 18
Instructor:18.5
First job out of instructing 400hrs and 19, in the NT flying Singles (Great fun)
Current age 20, 750hrs, Flying PA31/C310 and a bit of instructing on the side.
Solo: 16
PPL: 17
CPL (A): 18
Instructor:18.5
First job out of instructing 400hrs and 19, in the NT flying Singles (Great fun)
Current age 20, 750hrs, Flying PA31/C310 and a bit of instructing on the side.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Germany
Age: 48
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Go for it
30yrs old started 25 got my solo with 10 hrs ppl at 25 JAR atpl 27 CPL/IFR/ME 28 got my first job as a BAE JS32 f/o with 216 tt from wich 113 wher me plus CRM and 85 be C-190 simulator FNTP II just got 30 with 613 tt when i was call for b-757/767 f/o course (after all the test and interviews of course); bottom line your still have plenty of time set t/o thr and go for it!!
Join Date: Dec 1997
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Originally Posted by skysoarer
If you see this Scroggs.. just wondering where you did your gliding? I remember you saying Years back that you operated at Lyneham, when I was still stuck in Shrivenham.
Sky
Sky
Scroggs
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: The Land Downunder
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Started Flying 1996 (18 years old)
PPL at 19
CPL/IR 20
Instructor for two years from 23 -25
Dash 8 First Officer 25 - 27
A320 First Officer 27 until present (28).
Currently 3000 hours ish and loving every minute of it.
PPL at 19
CPL/IR 20
Instructor for two years from 23 -25
Dash 8 First Officer 25 - 27
A320 First Officer 27 until present (28).
Currently 3000 hours ish and loving every minute of it.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: pomme....pomme !
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Started flying in 96 (28 years old) in the US ,till 98 with some multi and turbo prop experience. Moving to Portugal to convert licences and doing the ATPL-A (2000) first pay job in 2001 for SATA (BAe-ATP),then unemployment for 1,5year, get a self sponsored QT on L-1011 and I am flying since then.Today I am 38 RHS on L-1011 and 2500TT.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North of Earth
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I was graduated from Southwind aviation on brownsville texas,u.s.a on 1997 when i was 21 yrs with CPL and start my journey on 2000 with major airlines in indonesia till now with 3500 hrs on 737,still waiting for 2nd interview with air hongkong..
"..... I believe i can fly..I believe i can touch the sky.." ( R.Kelly)
FlightSafety737
"..... I believe i can fly..I believe i can touch the sky.." ( R.Kelly)
FlightSafety737
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Down a Tin mine......
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PPL - 1994
ATPL ground exams - 2003
CPL - 2004
IR and MCC - 2005
First job flying a heavy turboprop - Dash8 Q400 - Sept 2005 at age 32
ATPL ground exams, CPL, Instrument rating and MCC all completed whilst working full time.
ATPL ground exams - 2003
CPL - 2004
IR and MCC - 2005
First job flying a heavy turboprop - Dash8 Q400 - Sept 2005 at age 32
ATPL ground exams, CPL, Instrument rating and MCC all completed whilst working full time.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: UK
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Hmm, now this has been an interesting read, making me think things over again!
Me to date:
Motor Gliding solo at 17
PPL at 18
Aero. Engineering degree at 21
MSc Air Transport Management at 23
Now a Marketing/Sales Manager with large airline-related company at 24.
...but still want to be a commercial pilot =)
Maybe I'll finally make the big decision next year.
Good to hear others have took the jump and done well and nice to see mid-twenties is far from being too old to start
Me to date:
Motor Gliding solo at 17
PPL at 18
Aero. Engineering degree at 21
MSc Air Transport Management at 23
Now a Marketing/Sales Manager with large airline-related company at 24.
...but still want to be a commercial pilot =)
Maybe I'll finally make the big decision next year.
Good to hear others have took the jump and done well and nice to see mid-twenties is far from being too old to start