Aviation Career at 40?
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Aviation Career at 40?
Hello all, I am a newbie.
After 23 years working for the State Government I want a career change.
Just turned 40....
.....am I too old to start a career in aviation with major airlines or should I just aim for regional?
I hear the pay is not that grand regionally so I'd have to drop a good wage for a while (4- 6 years?)
Any others out there that have experienced this early change of life and have succeeded?
After 23 years working for the State Government I want a career change.
Just turned 40....
.....am I too old to start a career in aviation with major airlines or should I just aim for regional?I hear the pay is not that grand regionally so I'd have to drop a good wage for a while (4- 6 years?)
Any others out there that have experienced this early change of life and have succeeded?
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Im in the same boat as yourself. Im about finishing up on my cpl now.
Seeing the minimum hiring requirements of the majors overseas some take up to the age of 54 for 1st officer positions so there's a good 14 years of experience to get under your belt before the cut off time
Go for it
Seeing the minimum hiring requirements of the majors overseas some take up to the age of 54 for 1st officer positions so there's a good 14 years of experience to get under your belt before the cut off time
Go for it
Hi Izzy,
Firstly, an idea of what you are on now will give a better insight into how much it's going to hurt financially. Will you be able to pay for training outright or will you need to borrow? Does your family situation allow you to move to a remote area for a prolonged period?
As to regional vs major, there is no need to set a goal for one or the other. Aim to get as qualified and experienced as quickly as you can and then take what comes. No-one is guaranteed a gig with the majors, and whether there is scope for that has a lot more to do with Wall St than with your age.
Also bear in mind that you are obviously doing this for personal satisfaction. Will you be satisfied being the oldest guy on the crew and still a second Officer? Would even the prospect of being a 55YO VB F/O really appeal, or would a slightly lower wage (perhaps living in a part of the country with lower costs) but getting to be a regional captain be a better aspiration?
As to whether to go for it or not, I lasted exactly 4 months in an office job, and can't imagine how someone who obviously has the imagination to want to fly could have lasted 23 years!! GET OUT OF THERE AND GO FLY!!!
If you wind up a career instructor, you won't starve and will still be miles ahead in terms of personal growth and satisfaction.
Firstly, an idea of what you are on now will give a better insight into how much it's going to hurt financially. Will you be able to pay for training outright or will you need to borrow? Does your family situation allow you to move to a remote area for a prolonged period?
As to regional vs major, there is no need to set a goal for one or the other. Aim to get as qualified and experienced as quickly as you can and then take what comes. No-one is guaranteed a gig with the majors, and whether there is scope for that has a lot more to do with Wall St than with your age.
Also bear in mind that you are obviously doing this for personal satisfaction. Will you be satisfied being the oldest guy on the crew and still a second Officer? Would even the prospect of being a 55YO VB F/O really appeal, or would a slightly lower wage (perhaps living in a part of the country with lower costs) but getting to be a regional captain be a better aspiration?
As to whether to go for it or not, I lasted exactly 4 months in an office job, and can't imagine how someone who obviously has the imagination to want to fly could have lasted 23 years!! GET OUT OF THERE AND GO FLY!!!
If you wind up a career instructor, you won't starve and will still be miles ahead in terms of personal growth and satisfaction.
Sprucegoose
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Got my first job at 36 haven't looked back, have since found a job that's like semi retirement really and affords a reasonable lifestyle...
As for the majors, I personally know one guy who got a start at 54 if that's what you are after, you're never to old!
Go for it, I say!!
As for the majors, I personally know one guy who got a start at 54 if that's what you are after, you're never to old!
Go for it, I say!!
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What Wiz and HH said!
Go for it. Get the 'quals,' get out there and fly and see what comes up!
If you don't, the day will come when you will curse yourself and say along the lines of
''Why TF did'nt I try it??!!''
Go for it. Get the 'quals,' get out there and fly and see what comes up!
If you don't, the day will come when you will curse yourself and say along the lines of
''Why TF did'nt I try it??!!''
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Just go for it... if its what you want you will have no regrets and never look back...
Trust me it has worked for me and now I say, why didn't I do this years ago!
GOOD LUCK! Not that you will need luck as things happen to good people.
Trust me it has worked for me and now I say, why didn't I do this years ago!
GOOD LUCK! Not that you will need luck as things happen to good people.
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One thing you might want to consider is that the industry boom in pilot jobs has slowed somewhat. Who knows where it will go but when I started out in the mid nineties the majors had not hired for years and if you had not started your training at age 18 you were old (that was me). There were literally hundreds of qualified pilots trying to get any work and the requirements to get a job on a turbo prop included a spaceshuttle endorsement with more than one trip to the moon.
Having said all that if you are quick about it there are still some good jobs going for someone with life experience like yours.
Just keep in mind how the worm can turn thats all I'm saying.
Having said all that if you are quick about it there are still some good jobs going for someone with life experience like yours.
Just keep in mind how the worm can turn thats all I'm saying.
Mr Hat
Forgive me for being negative but the only reason I am PPRuNing is cos Mrs Leafblower has delivered another cold shoulder
There are good jobs still for blokes with experience - Grade 1's and such. Given the news that airlines on the sub-continent have stood down/given unlimited unpaid leave/whatever over 5000 people this week I suggest that the "Inbound" flight training industry is about to exit the vehicle via the windscreen as the world's economic brakes are pulled on (and reverse gear selected... without clutch)
Super accounts look pretty slim so all the grey nomads won't be off doing their Bungles/Argyle trips...
Share holdings and director bonuses are under scrutiny so corporate charter will go down the ****ter...
Expect overall discretionary expenditure to shrink over the next 12 months and the PPL/Recreational flight training market with it
THe only sunshine I can see for the next 5 years is government expenditure and compliance (ie: OHS, ISO 9001 etc) for major organisations.
The flip side of that is that if you start your training now, Izzys, You will possibly have great experience by the time you are 45 and the next upswing commences. Just be really conscious of the fact that there will be a lot of blood spilt over the next 3-4 years.
Forgive me for being negative but the only reason I am PPRuNing is cos Mrs Leafblower has delivered another cold shoulder
There are good jobs still for blokes with experience - Grade 1's and such. Given the news that airlines on the sub-continent have stood down/given unlimited unpaid leave/whatever over 5000 people this week I suggest that the "Inbound" flight training industry is about to exit the vehicle via the windscreen as the world's economic brakes are pulled on (and reverse gear selected... without clutch)
Super accounts look pretty slim so all the grey nomads won't be off doing their Bungles/Argyle trips...
Share holdings and director bonuses are under scrutiny so corporate charter will go down the ****ter...
Expect overall discretionary expenditure to shrink over the next 12 months and the PPL/Recreational flight training market with it
THe only sunshine I can see for the next 5 years is government expenditure and compliance (ie: OHS, ISO 9001 etc) for major organisations.
The flip side of that is that if you start your training now, Izzys, You will possibly have great experience by the time you are 45 and the next upswing commences. Just be really conscious of the fact that there will be a lot of blood spilt over the next 3-4 years.
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Originally Posted by waren9
...Lifes too short doing a sh1t job...
Sure put a smile on my face!!! I blew one of those **** jobs off Friday last week... helluva weight off my shoulders, I can tell you! So I've been between jobs a week now, have 2 very hot prospects on the boil right now, expect to hear more tomorrow.Life is far too short to put up with nonsense. Roll the dice, fortune smiles on the brave!
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Hi Izzy
I'm 32 and about to toss in the towel. I initially thought I was too old and 'over the hill' but reading a lot of the posts here has given me hope. I've been an accountant (albeit successful one) for 10 yrs but I've had enough - I'd rather fly a Dash8 to Bundaberg twice a day than a desk/computer for 10 hrs a day.
I'm 32 and about to toss in the towel. I initially thought I was too old and 'over the hill' but reading a lot of the posts here has given me hope. I've been an accountant (albeit successful one) for 10 yrs but I've had enough - I'd rather fly a Dash8 to Bundaberg twice a day than a desk/computer for 10 hrs a day.
As for the majors, I personally know one guy who got a start at 54 if that's what you are after, you're never to old!
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Horatio,
I tend to agree with you on all that. Its not looking good but if "old" mate gets his arse into gear he might still be able to get a descent turbo prop job.
Personally having been there done if I had my time over I wouldn't do it again because as one poster pointed out: return on investment.
It all comes down to personal circumstance finance/ family ect. If all the personal circumstances are in your favour Izzy then that makes it alot easier. If on the other hand they are not that will make it near impossible and you can in some instances lose what you've got.
I tend to agree with you on all that. Its not looking good but if "old" mate gets his arse into gear he might still be able to get a descent turbo prop job.
Personally having been there done if I had my time over I wouldn't do it again because as one poster pointed out: return on investment.
It all comes down to personal circumstance finance/ family ect. If all the personal circumstances are in your favour Izzy then that makes it alot easier. If on the other hand they are not that will make it near impossible and you can in some instances lose what you've got.
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Thank you all for your inspirational comments. Some of your comments have been very humerous. I haven't had a good laugh for a while. 
I am averaging approx 75 - 80k pa. I can afford to fully fund a CPL without a loan at this stage but have a wife and three young boys 4, 6, 8. I probably could go regionally for periods.....has anyone done this leaving the family behind??
The comment about instructing is a good one, I was thinking about that path also..and being the old fart S/O or F/O on a crew wouldn't bother me, I'm a professional
(being an operational copper for 22 years has thickened the hide somewhat).
Lots to think about, very good forum and thanks again for your insight & comments.
Izzys123
I am averaging approx 75 - 80k pa. I can afford to fully fund a CPL without a loan at this stage but have a wife and three young boys 4, 6, 8. I probably could go regionally for periods.....has anyone done this leaving the family behind??
The comment about instructing is a good one, I was thinking about that path also..and being the old fart S/O or F/O on a crew wouldn't bother me, I'm a professional
(being an operational copper for 22 years has thickened the hide somewhat).Lots to think about, very good forum and thanks again for your insight & comments.
Izzys123
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G'day Izzy
I took my first flying lesson when I was 38 years old. Seven years later I'm now an FO for QLINK.
It took a lot of sacrifice, and an understanding partner. We don't have children, but I had financial commitments for all that period. I've lived in our home for around 1 year out of the past 2 1/2, and consider myself lucky to be based only a 6 hour drive from home. I'm hoping to be based back home within a few months.
I'll be unlikely to ever make the money that I was earning when I was in I.T. But on the other hand, I made the decision to change careers when I would regularly start counting down the hours for Friday knock-off at 10:00 am on Monday!
I wont get any more grey hairs from the stress, don't have to listen to morons telling me "I'll tell you what I want AFTER you've designed the system", and wont be expected to design, write, test and deliver a 12 month project in 4 months!
In my current job the hours are great, and the view from the window is fantastic!
You can do the flying part-time (like I did) while you're still working at your main job. Work hard and study should have your CPL in a little over 12 months. Another 6 months for IREX, MECIR and ATPL. (Prob longer for you since you've got the kids, but you could aim to do it all in around 2 years). All up cost around 80k.
My 2c.
DIVOSH!
It took a lot of sacrifice, and an understanding partner. We don't have children, but I had financial commitments for all that period. I've lived in our home for around 1 year out of the past 2 1/2, and consider myself lucky to be based only a 6 hour drive from home. I'm hoping to be based back home within a few months.
I'll be unlikely to ever make the money that I was earning when I was in I.T. But on the other hand, I made the decision to change careers when I would regularly start counting down the hours for Friday knock-off at 10:00 am on Monday!
I wont get any more grey hairs from the stress, don't have to listen to morons telling me "I'll tell you what I want AFTER you've designed the system", and wont be expected to design, write, test and deliver a 12 month project in 4 months!
In my current job the hours are great, and the view from the window is fantastic!
You can do the flying part-time (like I did) while you're still working at your main job. Work hard and study should have your CPL in a little over 12 months. Another 6 months for IREX, MECIR and ATPL. (Prob longer for you since you've got the kids, but you could aim to do it all in around 2 years). All up cost around 80k.
My 2c.
DIVOSH!
Izzy, step carefully.
Leafblower puts it well.
All the stories of old guys scoring jet jobs is in the past.
Things are happening so fast at present who would know what lies ahead in our industry.
Take leave or whatever, don't resign.
You might also like to consider risk management.
With a young family you have some big responsibilities.
There have been two very sad accidents in the past month.
These have been on Pprune.
I am all for following a dream but not at any cost.
Leafblower puts it well.
All the stories of old guys scoring jet jobs is in the past.
Things are happening so fast at present who would know what lies ahead in our industry.
Take leave or whatever, don't resign.
You might also like to consider risk management.
With a young family you have some big responsibilities.
There have been two very sad accidents in the past month.
These have been on Pprune.
I am all for following a dream but not at any cost.
Seasonally Adjusted
Izzy, I was in your line of work and completed my training in my spare time. It took a lot longer but there were no money worries. Got to the point where I was able to do ME IFR charter on my days off but it was a delicate balancing act.
Has Vic Police got a fixed wing air support unit you can aim for?
Has Vic Police got a fixed wing air support unit you can aim for?
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"IZZY"
'Iron Mans' comments .........Most airlines look for experience commensurate with age, .....is/was so very true, this I found out over the years myself due to not starting 'till late & only flying part time for many years. Most likely not as bigger issues as it was way back then when comments by 'Mr Hat' like where also true.............There were literally hundreds of qualified pilots trying to get any work and the requirements to get a job on a turbo prop included a spaceshuttle endorsement with more than one trip to the moon. ........... We are dealing with a very different beast these days & I've not ever seen so much oportunity nowadays as ever before.
I think by the replies being posted here it's a positve step to start now providing you are well funded & can take a few knocks along the way.
For me I was employed in a couple of other industries therefore I had the best of both worlds, money & the love of flying, the two in the early stages of flying are rarely go together.
Ah go for it, I believe yr dead an awfully long time?
CW
'Iron Mans' comments .........Most airlines look for experience commensurate with age, .....is/was so very true, this I found out over the years myself due to not starting 'till late & only flying part time for many years. Most likely not as bigger issues as it was way back then when comments by 'Mr Hat' like where also true.............There were literally hundreds of qualified pilots trying to get any work and the requirements to get a job on a turbo prop included a spaceshuttle endorsement with more than one trip to the moon. ........... We are dealing with a very different beast these days & I've not ever seen so much oportunity nowadays as ever before.
I think by the replies being posted here it's a positve step to start now providing you are well funded & can take a few knocks along the way.
For me I was employed in a couple of other industries therefore I had the best of both worlds, money & the love of flying, the two in the early stages of flying are rarely go together.
Ah go for it, I believe yr dead an awfully long time?
CW
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Izzy
I was in the same boat as yourself a few years ago, TJF etc etc, (I may have even worked the van with you!) Threw it in and went the down the military path, albeit, the life style is different from a F/O at the link, but I'm flying and getting paid to do it.
My advice chum is take LWOP or go part time, and do your flying on the side. If you need a clue for your training in Melb, PM me
Regards
RBS
I was in the same boat as yourself a few years ago, TJF etc etc, (I may have even worked the van with you!) Threw it in and went the down the military path, albeit, the life style is different from a F/O at the link, but I'm flying and getting paid to do it.
My advice chum is take LWOP or go part time, and do your flying on the side. If you need a clue for your training in Melb, PM me
Regards
RBS
I want a career change....
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