Middle age pilot careers
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Perth....ish
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Count me in....
After reading this thread and a 1st flight in 3 years its time to finish the old CPL (stopped due to a couple of Jr pilots dropping from the Mrs bomb bay)
At 37 I have no large ambition but to get into an office with the best view everything indicates now or never....
Good luck to the other chaps taking the plunge too
Now, where's them there learnin books????.....
At 37 I have no large ambition but to get into an office with the best view everything indicates now or never....
Good luck to the other chaps taking the plunge too
Now, where's them there learnin books????.....
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
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sms777; Nurries! A Glenfiddich with a little ice will do!
A Glenfiddich with a little ice will do!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, Northern Beaches
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Thanks for the encouragement
I turned 46 a few days ago and I am attending Hunter Valley Aviation/Basair's Pilot Career workshop later this month. When I left school I wanted to gain my CPL at NASA by undertaking their full time course, however I couldn't raise the $15k fee at the time as I couldn't stick a low pay/low care factor job for any longer than 3 or 4 months.....anyway, many jobs, much travel, 3 kids later I'm now in the position where I am in the earnout phase of selling a business that I have built up over the last 10 years and I'm looking into flying as an alternative to undertaking any more "shinybum" pursuits. I am now in the positon where I can fund my CPL and some of the ratings. I'm not going into flying looking for big $$ as I've paid off the mortgage and have some commercial property providing an income, I'm more in it for the learning and the "X" factor that we are all seeking. I'm interested in a CPL (Helicopter) licence as well and I suppose at this stage I'm hesitant about what employment prospects are available for a mature age heli pilot with nil hours versus a fixed wing CPL as I'm not really in a position to go Outback and live in the shearer's shed to build up experience and hours (although I would love to, I'm sure my wife and family wouldn't share my passion). Reading these posts looks like I should just get on with it, do my CPL and see what comes available, I have trained a lot of people on technical/hands-on type courses and enjoy this, so I would be interested in an Instructors role? Cuppla questions..Am I best doing a full time course instead of trying to complete my CPL by doing 2 to 3 days per week? Any recommedations of who NOT to do my training with, both fixed and/or rotary. Is it worhtwhile doing the combined fixed wing PPL/Rotary CPL, not so much to save money but to get exposure to both disciplines or should I choose 1 and maximise my time/experience/hours. I'm sure I'll get a wide variety of answers here....
BTW: I'm based on Sydney's Northern Beaches and the prospect of commuting to Bankstown every day doesn't hold much appeal, I'd rather go up the F3 to the Hunter Valley or Newcastle and do 3 days a week up there or relocate to the Sunshine Coast/Adelaide/Melbourne if the training/courses are of a better standard?
Cheers
Cameron
BTW: I'm based on Sydney's Northern Beaches and the prospect of commuting to Bankstown every day doesn't hold much appeal, I'd rather go up the F3 to the Hunter Valley or Newcastle and do 3 days a week up there or relocate to the Sunshine Coast/Adelaide/Melbourne if the training/courses are of a better standard?
Cheers
Cameron
Quote:
"however I couldn't raise the $15k fee at the time as I couldn't stick a low pay/low care factor job for any longer than 3 or 4 months....."
You know Cameron, those low pay/low care factor jobs (quite often more than one at a time) are how the great majority of airline pilots have achieved where they are today. Don't get me wrong, I wish you and your ilk all the best, but the sacrifices of those who have made it should not be underestimated.
My point is, if you really want succeed, A drive to Bankstown should be the last thing to put you off. Although we are now in a period of unprecedented demand, there will be much greater sacrifices ahead that you should be prepared for.
"however I couldn't raise the $15k fee at the time as I couldn't stick a low pay/low care factor job for any longer than 3 or 4 months....."
You know Cameron, those low pay/low care factor jobs (quite often more than one at a time) are how the great majority of airline pilots have achieved where they are today. Don't get me wrong, I wish you and your ilk all the best, but the sacrifices of those who have made it should not be underestimated.
My point is, if you really want succeed, A drive to Bankstown should be the last thing to put you off. Although we are now in a period of unprecedented demand, there will be much greater sacrifices ahead that you should be prepared for.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Australia
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QLink recruitment
Having recently questioned some of the bosses at work about their recruitment policy, the feedback I got was they were very keen on older candidates and they were placing less importance on psych/skills/education than the previous strict pass levels.
If I were to turn up for the interview/testing process though, I would still do my research and do some practice exams for the standard Qantas testing procedure.
I know a lot of the older candidates previously struggled with the testing procedure, and even though it has less weighting in the selection process these days, the testing is pretty simple if you are prepared and know what sort of questions you will be asked and have practised them a bit.
In the sim you have to show that you know IFR procedures and they are looking for a good scan and improvement at flying the sim as the session goes on. There are plenty of ways to practise that as well and it shows if you have not come a bit prepared and put in a bit of effort.
Also if you know someone at QLink, the recruitment people are open to current staff recommending someone for an interview, so to use a CRM philosophy, use all available resources.
As others have said there is opportunities out there now, so go for it, you'll never know if you don't give it a try.
If I were to turn up for the interview/testing process though, I would still do my research and do some practice exams for the standard Qantas testing procedure.
I know a lot of the older candidates previously struggled with the testing procedure, and even though it has less weighting in the selection process these days, the testing is pretty simple if you are prepared and know what sort of questions you will be asked and have practised them a bit.
In the sim you have to show that you know IFR procedures and they are looking for a good scan and improvement at flying the sim as the session goes on. There are plenty of ways to practise that as well and it shows if you have not come a bit prepared and put in a bit of effort.
Also if you know someone at QLink, the recruitment people are open to current staff recommending someone for an interview, so to use a CRM philosophy, use all available resources.
As others have said there is opportunities out there now, so go for it, you'll never know if you don't give it a try.
Seasonally Adjusted
Chimbu and Krusty....it could be handy having a dentist flying for Rex, especially for those experienced types who realise that getting a pay rise is not unlike pulling teeth.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Brisbane, Qld
Age: 48
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Hi guys
you don't know how happy reading this forum post actually makes me feel right now. Flying is ALL I've ever wanted to do since I could walk (no kidding) but I grew up knowing my family could never afford it. I'm 32 now and, after reading a lot of the posts on this here forum and seeing all the 20 y/o's (or they 'sound' like it) chat about enrolling for Etihad or whatever, I kinda got disheartened to think that maybe I've missed my calling by not doing this earlier.
However, having read these posts makes me realise that I'm still young (not a spring chicken mind you) and I hopefully still may have a career in aviation (other than flying as a B763 captain for Qantas on Vatsim and FSX!!) and therefore fulfill my dreams.
Thanks one and all.
Pharoah
you don't know how happy reading this forum post actually makes me feel right now. Flying is ALL I've ever wanted to do since I could walk (no kidding) but I grew up knowing my family could never afford it. I'm 32 now and, after reading a lot of the posts on this here forum and seeing all the 20 y/o's (or they 'sound' like it) chat about enrolling for Etihad or whatever, I kinda got disheartened to think that maybe I've missed my calling by not doing this earlier.
However, having read these posts makes me realise that I'm still young (not a spring chicken mind you) and I hopefully still may have a career in aviation (other than flying as a B763 captain for Qantas on Vatsim and FSX!!) and therefore fulfill my dreams.
Thanks one and all.
Pharoah
From an ex-chief pilot's point of view, a 40-something family person with barely enough experience is an attractive proposition compared with some young stud who you just know you are training for Emirates or Cathay
Used to really give me the irrits as being one of the abovemention young stud brigade getting shafted, basically just another form of discrimination.
Anyway that aside now is the time to enter the industry for anyone of any age really as long as you don't want to have any sort of quality of life, or a salary that would be considered comfortable to live on in a city.
Great thread and great posts guys.
I too place myself well and truly in the aviation tragic category and still run outside every time I hear anything flying overhead (including flocks of snow geese when I lived in Canada) and was wondering about the QF requirements mentioned here. Moda mentioned he had around 900 total and 70 hours twin. Is this really enough to get QF or Jetstar interested?
I am also attempting to start my commercial career at the mid to late 30s despite flying mostly private ops for the last 12 years and had thought that 1500hrsTT with around 500 command on twin was the holy grail for QF consideration.
I would eventually love to move back to Oz and fly for one of our airlines but at the moment am having a ball flying a 206 (soon to be Islander and Twotter hopefully) into some amazing strips around the South Pacific.
I also possess the magic passes in English, maths and physics at grade 12 level (some time ago obviously), a degree in business, CPL, MECIR, ATPL passes, single engine turbine experience, 500TT, about 30 twin and around 11years of ATC experience in tower, approach and area (both radar and procedural, military and civil) and presently a working ATC with current ratings.
Would the airlines take ATC experience into consideration when assessing candidates you think?
Good luck to all those pursuing an aviation career. Lets hope the clowns in the USA haven't screwed the world economy badly enough to shut down the aviation industry!
G
I too place myself well and truly in the aviation tragic category and still run outside every time I hear anything flying overhead (including flocks of snow geese when I lived in Canada) and was wondering about the QF requirements mentioned here. Moda mentioned he had around 900 total and 70 hours twin. Is this really enough to get QF or Jetstar interested?
I am also attempting to start my commercial career at the mid to late 30s despite flying mostly private ops for the last 12 years and had thought that 1500hrsTT with around 500 command on twin was the holy grail for QF consideration.
I would eventually love to move back to Oz and fly for one of our airlines but at the moment am having a ball flying a 206 (soon to be Islander and Twotter hopefully) into some amazing strips around the South Pacific.
I also possess the magic passes in English, maths and physics at grade 12 level (some time ago obviously), a degree in business, CPL, MECIR, ATPL passes, single engine turbine experience, 500TT, about 30 twin and around 11years of ATC experience in tower, approach and area (both radar and procedural, military and civil) and presently a working ATC with current ratings.
Would the airlines take ATC experience into consideration when assessing candidates you think?
Good luck to all those pursuing an aviation career. Lets hope the clowns in the USA haven't screwed the world economy badly enough to shut down the aviation industry!
G
Silly Old Git
Would the airlines take ATC experience into consideration when assessing candidates you think?
Get the running shoes on....
Aviation facing worst crisis since SARS - Breaking News - National - Breaking News
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Osho/Cameron
Osho, full time is the go mate.
As for schools stay away from sausage factories and try and find a small aero club type operation or a charter company that does flying training on the side. What you want is an instructor that has been there done that and can show you how to fly. What you don't want is some kid that sees you as another hour closer to his/her seat on a 400 with QF.
Don't try and go somewhere that reckon the airlines prefer them because of this and that. Just go to a place that will teach you the required skills to save your life.
Trust me i made all the mistakes for you!!
As for schools stay away from sausage factories and try and find a small aero club type operation or a charter company that does flying training on the side. What you want is an instructor that has been there done that and can show you how to fly. What you don't want is some kid that sees you as another hour closer to his/her seat on a 400 with QF.
Don't try and go somewhere that reckon the airlines prefer them because of this and that. Just go to a place that will teach you the required skills to save your life.
Trust me i made all the mistakes for you!!
Join Date: Sep 1998
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57 yrs old, about a 7 year break and got back into it 14 months ago. I have had response from QF link but not sure I am interested actually. Currently flying a King Air left seat. I was previously endorsed albeit some time since I'd flown one. I was checked back into the B200 a few months ago by another "older chap" who had also returned not to long before after a long break. It was an enjoyable and thorough ICUS period and line check.
It seems to me that right now age really is no barrier which is really good to see compared to what is was in the past.
Go for it!!
It seems to me that right now age really is no barrier which is really good to see compared to what is was in the past.
Go for it!!
