Female pilot advice!
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Female pilot advice!
I am a 30 year old woman and very keen to start my pilot training. I have researched various UK flight schools, and looked in to costs (I will be doing it form scratch as I don't have my PPL). However, I am keen to find out a few things before i embark on a new career. Is it realistic me starting training age 30? If so, what are the conditions like and employment prospects in the current climate? If anyone has any advice, information I would really like to hear it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
No reason why you shouldn't start at 30, I'd suggest you have a look at the Full costs up to gaining your CPL/ATPL and just how long it will take.
The whole of the industry is pretty poor at the moment and work chances are slim but you will have a couple of yrs to get qualified and by then the chances of work will (hopefully) have improved.
The whole of the industry is pretty poor at the moment and work chances are slim but you will have a couple of yrs to get qualified and by then the chances of work will (hopefully) have improved.
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The days of discrimination against female pilots is pretty much over (even my wife / FO agrees) - unless you want to apply to Saudi Arabian or something you will have as much chance as everyone else.
However it's still a rotten time to be starting off - costs of entering the industry have never been higher now that P2F is all but the norm, financing is very hard to get and real jobs that actually pay salaries are very very thin on the ground.
However it's still a rotten time to be starting off - costs of entering the industry have never been higher now that P2F is all but the norm, financing is very hard to get and real jobs that actually pay salaries are very very thin on the ground.
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People say that there isn't any age discrimination in aviation, and while I've no reason to suspect otherwise, i think I'd consider the actual practical implications of being 30.
I'm 21 and about to start post PPL. I'm pretty much writing off the next 10 years in terms of earning potential. It could be that long before I even get into the right hand seat of a jet. Seniority takes a while in aviation so I've heard.
So while you'd have no disadvantage actually getting each job in terms of discrimination, I'd be absolutely sure you're ok starting right at the beginning at age 30. I don't know what your personal circumstances are but are you ok having a low earning potential until you're perhaps 40?
I'm 21 and about to start post PPL. I'm pretty much writing off the next 10 years in terms of earning potential. It could be that long before I even get into the right hand seat of a jet. Seniority takes a while in aviation so I've heard.
So while you'd have no disadvantage actually getting each job in terms of discrimination, I'd be absolutely sure you're ok starting right at the beginning at age 30. I don't know what your personal circumstances are but are you ok having a low earning potential until you're perhaps 40?
You'll find no barriers to success in aviation because of gender.
One of the few sources of employment for inexperienced commercially qualified pilots in the current recession is a certain low cost operator. They have an equal opportunities recuitment policy. Yet you'll see very few female pilots on their flightdecks. Read into that what you will.
As for what M1ghtyDuck says about age, I think that is only partially true. I started my training at the age of 30. I know a few guys who were in their early thirties, and another chap who was closer to 40. All are flying jets as their first jobs.
But recruits at the same low cost operator which definitely does not discriminate against women are predominantly lads in their early twenties. This is all hearsay, of course. Getting a jet job at 250 hours depends on luck and having the right personal characteristics.
But any person who has the aptitude, dedication and resources (financial and emotional) will eventually get a commercial flying job. I strongly believe that.
But you must consider the unsavoury fact that it could take 10 years to get into the pilot's seat of a commercial aircraft, and by that time terms and conditions relating to that job will be no more attractive than those offered to taxi drivers.
Only start commercial flight training after exhaustive research and then only if your love for flying will sustain you in the hard times.
G'luck.
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Hello Alicky!
After 16 years in the Cockpit I might give you some advice. If you like it, you consider it, if you don't, well, then I guess you will go over it.
Till now I had a, let's say, busy and troubled career. Starting as a YOUNG (I was 23 at that time and it was young!!) FO at a good carrier in Europe, after earning my 4th stripe decided to see other places and moved down under.
After the crash of the old beauty I was forced to come back to Europe, making my way thru good and sometimes not so good companies. Some of them crashed, some other just were not worth it to waste more time with them.
As there are always up and downs in airline business(and of course in GA) sometimes it`s easier to get a decent job, sometimes you just need to take was is remaining. Unfortunately right now it is still a time that you have to search a good job with the magnifying glass...
What I want to say :
- 30 is nowadays pretty old to start thinking becoming a pilot (no offence, just my observation) as newbees nowadays often sit with 19 or so at my right side. Don't like it , really, but it is a fact. Must be a lot of rich daddies or mummies around, don't think banks give their money to a 18 year old to become a pilot
.
- you are fine being a woman in aviation nowadays, no problem
- even QR(I had the "pleasure"
to work for them once) is employing women, so do all (as far as I know) Middle Eastern carriers(yes, even Saudia)
- right now is a bad time to start(but it is always bad, isn't it
) a aviation career. People often are forced to pay for their typeratings and sometimes even Linetraining, that's just not right. Is a doctor or a florist paying instead of getting paid(even if the salary is low) during their first years?
- as I menioned already, I did this job more then 16 years and I am getting very tired of it. Away all the time(if you work for a low cost you might be one of the lucky ones being at home nearly every day), getting paid peanuts, living mostly in ****ty hotels because we need to save money, etc. etc. Fact is, the industry is in a big downturn, the job is boring as EVERYTHING is regulated to dead, if you are not doing a deadly safe approach and being stabilized latest in 1000 ft you will meet you FSO and most likely your MFO on your off day.
It might be still a dream for a lot of people to become a pilot, but i is not anymore a dreamjob(someone above mentioned the term "taxidriver" - that will fit because that's what f
ing airlinemanagers made out of us. Still able to handle this baby in all emergencies, but hey, who cares).
So, my advice, think very well before you waste lots of money, time and maybe your life in chasing some dreams that might be gone already a long time ago...
Good lucky anyway
After 16 years in the Cockpit I might give you some advice. If you like it, you consider it, if you don't, well, then I guess you will go over it.
Till now I had a, let's say, busy and troubled career. Starting as a YOUNG (I was 23 at that time and it was young!!) FO at a good carrier in Europe, after earning my 4th stripe decided to see other places and moved down under.
After the crash of the old beauty I was forced to come back to Europe, making my way thru good and sometimes not so good companies. Some of them crashed, some other just were not worth it to waste more time with them.
As there are always up and downs in airline business(and of course in GA) sometimes it`s easier to get a decent job, sometimes you just need to take was is remaining. Unfortunately right now it is still a time that you have to search a good job with the magnifying glass...
What I want to say :
- 30 is nowadays pretty old to start thinking becoming a pilot (no offence, just my observation) as newbees nowadays often sit with 19 or so at my right side. Don't like it , really, but it is a fact. Must be a lot of rich daddies or mummies around, don't think banks give their money to a 18 year old to become a pilot
.- you are fine being a woman in aviation nowadays, no problem
- even QR(I had the "pleasure"
to work for them once) is employing women, so do all (as far as I know) Middle Eastern carriers(yes, even Saudia)- right now is a bad time to start(but it is always bad, isn't it
) a aviation career. People often are forced to pay for their typeratings and sometimes even Linetraining, that's just not right. Is a doctor or a florist paying instead of getting paid(even if the salary is low) during their first years? - as I menioned already, I did this job more then 16 years and I am getting very tired of it. Away all the time(if you work for a low cost you might be one of the lucky ones being at home nearly every day), getting paid peanuts, living mostly in ****ty hotels because we need to save money, etc. etc. Fact is, the industry is in a big downturn, the job is boring as EVERYTHING is regulated to dead, if you are not doing a deadly safe approach and being stabilized latest in 1000 ft you will meet you FSO and most likely your MFO on your off day
. It might be still a dream for a lot of people to become a pilot, but i is not anymore a dreamjob(someone above mentioned the term "taxidriver" - that will fit because that's what f
ing airlinemanagers made out of us. Still able to handle this baby in all emergencies, but hey, who cares).So, my advice, think very well before you waste lots of money, time and maybe your life in chasing some dreams that might be gone already a long time ago...
Good lucky anyway
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And how about working in sandpit, are there any female pilots in Emirates, Qatar or any other carrier in the Middle East?
Saudia obviously, I think Kuwaiti, and a couple of other medieval backwaters like Iran and Yemen are still not likely to hire women pilots but
I don't think that's a place where intelligent people who value their lives should be going, regardless of gender.
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I would go for it...oh wait...I did go for it! But, then again, I started training when I was 35 and in 2001. AND I did it in America. My first airline job was making nothing, $19000, flying a B1900D. Upgraded to Captain then flew a Dash 8 for 1025 hours.
Even when I was making no money I was having a great time. Those spoiled girls and boys who are 19 and flying have no idea how good they've got it. They've never had a real job.
9-5 desk jobs suck flying rocks. If you want it go get it - you only live once.
I'm now back to FO poor status - just finishing up training in the EMB175. But now I have to support a out of work hubby and a 1.5 year old - yes that sucks but at least I'm flying and not working at the souless finance job I had way back when.
I think that the upturn is coming and you'll be in a perfect place to get on and move up. Go Baby Go!
Even when I was making no money I was having a great time. Those spoiled girls and boys who are 19 and flying have no idea how good they've got it. They've never had a real job.
9-5 desk jobs suck flying rocks. If you want it go get it - you only live once.
I'm now back to FO poor status - just finishing up training in the EMB175. But now I have to support a out of work hubby and a 1.5 year old - yes that sucks but at least I'm flying and not working at the souless finance job I had way back when.
I think that the upturn is coming and you'll be in a perfect place to get on and move up. Go Baby Go!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
buzzc152 is correct about female pilots. Poor bloke's been sitting next to one too often recently. 
Alicky, contact the BWPA.
Gender is only an issue if you make it one.
Jobs? Well, it's never easy when you have no experience.
Alicky, contact the BWPA.
Gender is only an issue if you make it one.
Jobs? Well, it's never easy when you have no experience.
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From a corporate world (which I work in) there are plenty of females about in both seats. It's also a lot of fun if you find a good job. I have an awesome employer (yet we still find things to moan about, but I think that's just pilots), I'm doing about 550 hours a year and absolutely love my job, I get paid well and have various benefits including dental, healthcare, pension, and profit share. So good jobs do still exist.
It's true that jobs aren't hemorrhaging out of every corner of the world at the mo but for some who are looking hard there are opportunities. From a corporate point of view, being in your 30's may even have an advantage as a lot depends on your people skills during interview, if you come across as friendly, polite and professional you might be the sort of person they want interacting with the rich folk who pay the wages.
It's true that jobs aren't hemorrhaging out of every corner of the world at the mo but for some who are looking hard there are opportunities. From a corporate point of view, being in your 30's may even have an advantage as a lot depends on your people skills during interview, if you come across as friendly, polite and professional you might be the sort of person they want interacting with the rich folk who pay the wages.
Last edited by windypops; 16th Jun 2011 at 10:38. Reason: early morning grammar error
@windypops
The problem with the corporate world is that jobs are very, very rarely available to people with only a few hundred hours. It's a job most people get once they've unfrozen their ATPL, have some experience and have made some contacts.
The problem with the corporate world is that jobs are very, very rarely available to people with only a few hundred hours. It's a job most people get once they've unfrozen their ATPL, have some experience and have made some contacts.
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One of the few sources of employment for inexperienced commercially qualified pilots in the current recession is a certain low cost operator. They have an equal opportunities recuitment policy. Yet you'll see very few female pilots on their flightdecks. Read into that what you will.
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30 isn't a huge hurdle. Keep retirement age in mind though where ever you fly (and repayment terms etc from banks or bonding airlines).
I heard a few years ago of girls having an advantage in the charter world as pax love a pretty girl and the idea of a new Amelia flying them but now days the discussion is almost redundant.
Keep in mind, these days people are worried about the FA getting the pilot pregnant....
I heard a few years ago of girls having an advantage in the charter world as pax love a pretty girl and the idea of a new Amelia flying them but now days the discussion is almost redundant.
Keep in mind, these days people are worried about the FA getting the pilot pregnant....
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As for your gender, that wouldn't be a problem at all. Also your age I don't think will be a problem. I just finished all my training and I just turned 30 last month and in my class was a 35 year old man training too.
I am currently flying right seat on an islander to build experience and some hours and one of the pilots I fly with, is a 35 year old woman. I believe she started in her 30's and only has been flying for about 4 years now.
Like someone said before, you only live once and go for your dream. Good luck!!!
I am currently flying right seat on an islander to build experience and some hours and one of the pilots I fly with, is a 35 year old woman. I believe she started in her 30's and only has been flying for about 4 years now.
Like someone said before, you only live once and go for your dream. Good luck!!!
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Your gender doesn't really make a difference main thing is have you got the money to train! Whatever price you get add at least 10% onto that.
I'm female also and finished my training in 2008, only recently got my first airline job. I'd really advice Modular as it is so much cheaper - I did modular myself. Numerous friends went to the "prestigious" expensive schools and still don't have jobs. If you want to get employed you have to work hard for it yourself, don't rely on the school to get you an interview.
At 30 you're not too old in my opinion. I'm a little younger than you but there were 3 girls in my class between ages of early to late 30's and all have employment. If you have any q's feel free to pm me...if I can help/point you in the right direction I will!
All the best with the training!
Irish
I'm female also and finished my training in 2008, only recently got my first airline job. I'd really advice Modular as it is so much cheaper - I did modular myself. Numerous friends went to the "prestigious" expensive schools and still don't have jobs. If you want to get employed you have to work hard for it yourself, don't rely on the school to get you an interview.
At 30 you're not too old in my opinion. I'm a little younger than you but there were 3 girls in my class between ages of early to late 30's and all have employment. If you have any q's feel free to pm me...if I can help/point you in the right direction I will!
All the best with the training!
Irish