Starting out in late 30's - advice please...
Some lovely heart warming stories here but remember these are just a few Eg's am sure not all whom have undertaken such 'adventure' have succeeded so the best advice is have an out.
Don't rely on aviation as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Sure have goals but make them realistic. Flying is fun & there's still an element of 'few can do it' but it's not for everyone. Having stars in yr eyes is nice & you need a certain amount of that as a dreamer but family, financial pressure are the real issues in life so before undertaking anything as drastic as getting into flying as a late age make sure yr foundations in life are solid. Flying today is a diff beast to what most in here has posted. Even as little as 10 yrs ago flying latter in life was more doable but it's not so the case these days. High oil prices, aging planes & the cut throat business of flying means it's not all glamorous along the way & very unstable even at Airline level.
Don't be fooled by the few whom have made it.Remember the post was asking for 'advice', some good advice here for sure but look at both sides of the balance beam.
No this is not a negative post it's reality, blowing sunshine up yr ass is not going to pay the bills!
Again go for it if that's ye desire but do so in a professional way
Oh & just 4 the record I didn't get my first paid flying job 'till I was mid 30's.I worked in the Oil industry & the Auto industry where the real money was I flew whilst I had the bucks coming in elsewhere.
Wmk2
Don't rely on aviation as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Sure have goals but make them realistic. Flying is fun & there's still an element of 'few can do it' but it's not for everyone. Having stars in yr eyes is nice & you need a certain amount of that as a dreamer but family, financial pressure are the real issues in life so before undertaking anything as drastic as getting into flying as a late age make sure yr foundations in life are solid. Flying today is a diff beast to what most in here has posted. Even as little as 10 yrs ago flying latter in life was more doable but it's not so the case these days. High oil prices, aging planes & the cut throat business of flying means it's not all glamorous along the way & very unstable even at Airline level.
Don't be fooled by the few whom have made it.Remember the post was asking for 'advice', some good advice here for sure but look at both sides of the balance beam.
No this is not a negative post it's reality, blowing sunshine up yr ass is not going to pay the bills!
Again go for it if that's ye desire but do so in a professional way
Oh & just 4 the record I didn't get my first paid flying job 'till I was mid 30's.I worked in the Oil industry & the Auto industry where the real money was I flew whilst I had the bucks coming in elsewhere.
Wmk2
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Some lovely heart warming stories here but remember these are just a few Eg's am sure not all whom have undertaken such 'adventure' have succeeded so the best advice is have an out.
I personally think it's great to read some positive, uplifting comments for a change, instead of all the usual spiteful, negative crap that so often pollutes these forums. Keep 'em coming!
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Thanks for the advice Wally.
I've weighed up all my options, tried to think of all possible outcomes and it was really the fear of having most doors closed in my face because of my age that was holding me back. I'm sure some routes will be blocked because of this but it's great to hear that there are employers and chief pilots out there who do value life experience and maturity when considering you for a position.
It's follow my dream of flying for a living and doing something I love or a degree in engineering and, while I'll find it interesting and stimulating, be always looking up at every aircraft that passes overhead.
Can I ask whether anyone's had experiences with specific schools? Can I name the schools in these forums, don't want to break any protocols.
I've weighed up all my options, tried to think of all possible outcomes and it was really the fear of having most doors closed in my face because of my age that was holding me back. I'm sure some routes will be blocked because of this but it's great to hear that there are employers and chief pilots out there who do value life experience and maturity when considering you for a position.
It's follow my dream of flying for a living and doing something I love or a degree in engineering and, while I'll find it interesting and stimulating, be always looking up at every aircraft that passes overhead.
Can I ask whether anyone's had experiences with specific schools? Can I name the schools in these forums, don't want to break any protocols.
This is my third career, probably be another after this.....I'm thinking lecherous old b*stard 
My age has been more of a help than a hindrance, possibly because I've been prepared to say 'no' on occasions, possibly because some life experience gives you a better perspective.
I'm happy, flying fast, expensive, well maintained aeroplanes
. My family is happy, because I'm happy and I'm being paid well. My boss is happy, because I'm happy in the job and doing good work for him
.
Some of the shavetails frequenting this site could be surprised to know that the whole aviation world does not, in fact, revolve around airlines.
Redcliffe Aeroclub or Avalon Airservices at Caboolture. Best of British luck to you.
My age has been more of a help than a hindrance, possibly because I've been prepared to say 'no' on occasions, possibly because some life experience gives you a better perspective.
I'm happy, flying fast, expensive, well maintained aeroplanes
. My family is happy, because I'm happy and I'm being paid well. My boss is happy, because I'm happy in the job and doing good work for him. Some of the shavetails frequenting this site could be surprised to know that the whole aviation world does not, in fact, revolve around airlines.
Redcliffe Aeroclub or Avalon Airservices at Caboolture.
Best of British luck to you.
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Late 30's follow up
Polar, I just found your posts and I am in the same boat as you and many others by the looks of it. I am 42, have had my PPL since 1996 and didnt do much flying until I turned 40. I woke up the day I turned 40 and wondered what the hell I was doing with my life. I am married no kids big mortgage work as a boilermaker on construction sites and thought stuff it time for a change.
Finally got my CPL this year and have just done the IREX. Still working in construction but looking to find a job in the new year.
Hows your dreams going?
Finally got my CPL this year and have just done the IREX. Still working in construction but looking to find a job in the new year.
Hows your dreams going?
PPL in '91, then stopped flying in '95. I've done all the CPL training a long time ago, but never finished it off. Got married, had 3 kids, got divorced and got the kids.
Regained my currency about 12 months ago, and got my RA instructor rating at the end of October. Working as a contract drafty to pay the bills, and instructing to hone my skills and looking to CPL in the next 6 months. Dunno where to go from there, most likely GA instructor for a while, then see where it all takes me.
To be totally truthful, I'm happy I made it this far.
Regained my currency about 12 months ago, and got my RA instructor rating at the end of October. Working as a contract drafty to pay the bills, and instructing to hone my skills and looking to CPL in the next 6 months. Dunno where to go from there, most likely GA instructor for a while, then see where it all takes me.
To be totally truthful, I'm happy I made it this far.
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Firstly, congrats on starting a great thread Polar and the move to follow your dream. I actually just registered so I could post on this thread I had been in the building trade for 11 years and to me it was always just a job, not a career. I was a good student when I was young (in air cadets and had gliding license at 16) but was young and easily influenced and got led astray. August last year I made the decision to completely change both my outlook on life including my career. So far....NEVER LOOKED BACK. Its been nearly a year and now got CPL and just finished IREX with a drop pilot job lined up in a couple of months. Totally agree with all comments so far mate, its been hard but the rewards are worth it! Having a trade and life exp. definately has helped. Ive got my eyes set on the jets but enjoying the ride at the mo.
No one can stop someone with purpose Polar good luck bloke.
Ps. Sorry about the lenthy novel
I had been in the building trade for 11 years and to me it was always just a job, not a career. I was a good student when I was young (in air cadets and had gliding license at 16) but was young and easily influenced and got led astray. August last year I made the decision to completely change both my outlook on life including my career. So far....NEVER LOOKED BACK. Its been nearly a year and now got CPL and just finished IREX with a drop pilot job lined up in a couple of months. Totally agree with all comments so far mate, its been hard but the rewards are worth it! Having a trade and life exp. definately has helped. Ive got my eyes set on the jets but enjoying the ride at the mo. No one can stop someone with purpose Polar good luck bloke. Ps. Sorry about the lenthy novel
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Polar, as an employer, you will find you are alot more attractive to a company than say a 20 year old just on the basis of your experiences in the world...having said that, you will still need to work as hard as the kids to achieve as much with the 20 years you have left to fly.
I know Virgin still take on 50 year old F/O's, as it's not so much about the age but the attitude.
I know Virgin still take on 50 year old F/O's, as it's not so much about the age but the attitude.
My experience- I'm in the same boat.
Hi guys,
It's great to see that I'm not the only one on this side of the age/ experience curve. Polar- great thread, thanks for starting it.
My situation is as follows (I'm now 38):
- PPL gained all the way back in 1993.
- CPL subjects passed around the same time.
- Got a ground based job which included a Traineeship where I managed to score an Advanced Diploma in Mech. Engineering. Did that for a while so I could afford the next move (below).
- Wife has the right to live and work in the UK,
- Spent 1999/ 2000 in the UK training for a UK/ JAR frozen ATPL.
- Moved to the UK soon after to try to get a job.
- 9/11/2001 changed the whole market, couldn't get a job.
- Spent time working in Flight Ops to try to get a foot in the door- this didn't help in the end but the experience was invaluable.
- Decided to move home to Aus after trying for a few more years in the UK.
- Started work in a job unrelated to Aviation, plus started my own Business to create another income stream.
- Kids were becoming a priority, due to my Wife being older than me
- 8 Years down the track, many multiple miscarriages and several unsuccesful bouts of IVF treatment- no Kids of our own and we've given up.
- The last 2 years have spent getting over the above.
- Tried to lie to myself that I'd be happy in a non flying job for the next 30 years of my working life- I failed.
- Thanks to hard work, am now mortgage free with some savings and no debt.
- Am lucky enough to work in Flight Ops/ Dispatch for one of the major Airlines, so have been blessed with some great networking opportunities and the possibility to go to the Jet soon after conversion training.
- Thanks to shift work, have managed to get ATPLs and IREX theory out of the way this year.
- Will be doing the conversion flying for CPL/ MECIR in early 2013.
- am currently getting my life in a situation where I can go anywhere, anytime, to get a job Flying. I don't care what/ where/ how, I just want to be doing what I love for a living.
- Fortunately, I still have the full support of an awesome Wife.
Hopefully a potential Employer will be able to look past my age, and see my life and work experience- plus the muturity that goes with it. I'm also hoping that my time in a Flight Ops/ Dispatch role would also be worth considering.
For any of you older guys/ girls who are on the fence (and can weigh up the risks of going for it), I would encourage you all to do so.
I've been in a place where I've had to let go of the dream- it's not nice.
Cheers,
Gearup.
It's great to see that I'm not the only one on this side of the age/ experience curve. Polar- great thread, thanks for starting it.
My situation is as follows (I'm now 38):
- PPL gained all the way back in 1993.
- CPL subjects passed around the same time.
- Got a ground based job which included a Traineeship where I managed to score an Advanced Diploma in Mech. Engineering. Did that for a while so I could afford the next move (below).
- Wife has the right to live and work in the UK,
- Spent 1999/ 2000 in the UK training for a UK/ JAR frozen ATPL.
- Moved to the UK soon after to try to get a job.
- 9/11/2001 changed the whole market, couldn't get a job.
- Spent time working in Flight Ops to try to get a foot in the door- this didn't help in the end but the experience was invaluable.
- Decided to move home to Aus after trying for a few more years in the UK.
- Started work in a job unrelated to Aviation, plus started my own Business to create another income stream.
- Kids were becoming a priority, due to my Wife being older than me
- 8 Years down the track, many multiple miscarriages and several unsuccesful bouts of IVF treatment- no Kids of our own and we've given up.
- The last 2 years have spent getting over the above.
- Tried to lie to myself that I'd be happy in a non flying job for the next 30 years of my working life- I failed.
- Thanks to hard work, am now mortgage free with some savings and no debt.
- Am lucky enough to work in Flight Ops/ Dispatch for one of the major Airlines, so have been blessed with some great networking opportunities and the possibility to go to the Jet soon after conversion training.
- Thanks to shift work, have managed to get ATPLs and IREX theory out of the way this year.
- Will be doing the conversion flying for CPL/ MECIR in early 2013.
- am currently getting my life in a situation where I can go anywhere, anytime, to get a job Flying. I don't care what/ where/ how, I just want to be doing what I love for a living.
- Fortunately, I still have the full support of an awesome Wife.
Hopefully a potential Employer will be able to look past my age, and see my life and work experience- plus the muturity that goes with it. I'm also hoping that my time in a Flight Ops/ Dispatch role would also be worth considering.
For any of you older guys/ girls who are on the fence (and can weigh up the risks of going for it), I would encourage you all to do so.
I've been in a place where I've had to let go of the dream- it's not nice.
Cheers,
Gearup.
Last edited by Gearupandorrf; 12th Dec 2012 at 00:42.
