Middle age pilot careers
 

Hi All

Given the perceived employment prospects in aviation these days I would be interested to know from those of you who are of similar age how hard it is for someone who is 46 years of age to get back into the aviation industry after an absence of 20 years but always with a deep and ever present interest in all things aviation.

What are the employment prospects like for a 46 years old re - GA twins / GA instructing / RPT / Airlines ? Although officially there is no such thing as age discrimination these days, what is the actual reality regarding age with the major RPT’s and Airlines ?

Twenty years after being made redundant at the age of 26 and with the pressures of being newly married and with a mortgage to service, I was unable to secure regular (paid) flying hours and I decided on a total career change. I ended up leaving the aviation scene just a little disillusioned.

At the time of leaving, my experience consisted of :

Grade Two Instructor Rating
MECIR (only initial issue)
SCPL subjects

900 hours total including :
70 hours twins (mostly on a Baron but also a few hours on Twin Commanche and Duchess)
400 hours instructing

I do not have the required passes in Maths and English at high school level that the RPT's and airlines usually want. However, after my flying days I entered Uni. as a mature age student and did graduate after 6 years of part time study with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and I then subsequently completed a Diploma in Financial Planning – unrelated to Maths and English I know ! but I guess it shows ability to hit the books if necessary.

Also, would appreciate recommendations of any good training organisations left in Brisbane if I decide to renew licences and endorsements ?

My head (and bank account) says no - don't do It !

My heart says yes - go for it !

Am I out of my mind ?

Any constructive feed back would be welcome.

Thanks;)

Do your ATPL subjects and throw in an application with QANTAS. You meet the criteria of having at least a Bachelors Degree of any discipline. Plus you meet the hours and licence requirements.

They are looking for a load of people in the next few years and your success will largely come down to the interview. I reckon the fact that you been off pursuing another career will work in your favour. Most of us understand that family, etc can get in the way of an early flying career.

Give it a go. It will cost you a stamp. You don't have anything to lose.

PM me if you want. I started flying when I was 30 and entered QANTAS at 37 having never expected to gain entry to a major airline due to age. Guys older than I have since been selected. It all comes down to how you perform in the selection process.

Go for it - good luck.

moda07,

I heard on the grapevine that the CP of REX has been doing handstands about a recent recruit. A middle aged dentist who has spent the last 20 years flying his twin beech around single pilot on private ops! Now just how well this particular individual performs will remain to be seen. But I assume the cause of the CP's excitement is probably because of how this individual's "experience" compares to the number of candidates that they have been getting lately.

The motives for someone wanting to put themselves in this position can only be guessed at, but I think it's a safe bet that money is not a factor.

In your case, my advice would be to get yourself requalified and current. Just how long and expensive an exercise that will be is ultimately up to you. IMHO you are definitely not too old, not now. When I was learning to fly, if you hadn't made an interview with one of the majors by age 25, you had missed the boat! Times certainly have changed.

Best of luck with it. apply to everyone. You never know what might turn up.

There has never been a better time to get in to a regional. Just make sure your instrument skills are up to speed. You would have to go right seat, so the ATPL is not as important as good instrument skills. Spend the money there. Read my lips, because the one thing that lets older guys down is the simulator.
Get the ATPL as soon as you can after you get employed.
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.

Sounds like you may have a chance, keep the world advised of your progress

Good Luck mate.

GGR

Go with your heart mate. There has never been a better time for us older blokes. All the best :ok:

What are you waiting for?
 

There are loads of good jobs in all avenues of aviation at the moment. Just try your luck...you will be surpirsed!

Go for it, my last employer always hired a couple of people who were in their later years ( with each intake), and who did not always have a lot of experience! It always made flight deck conversations a lot more interesting, to have someone who has had another life outside of aviation.

Never been a better time for people in your position.

Get out there and MAKE it happen!!

best of luck.:ok:

Go for it!!! I'm 53 with TT 3400, M/E 1000+ and six renewals of a MECIR plus ATPL subjects and I'm going to give it another go as soon as I raise the cash for the Instrument Rating renewal.

Have'nt flown anything in over three years but the time has never been better for another go.:ok:

We have employed people just like you very recently Pinky!

Plenty of jobs around at the moment, the problem is deciding which avenue to take!:eek:

Have seen people aged 47, 54 & 58 get a start with the majors recently!:ok:

A good friend just got accepted into QF Link with bugger all experience and he was mid 40's

GO FOR IT PEOPLE, it's the best damn job in the world.:ok:

DON'T LET THIS OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY.

ACMS.

Reality check: IMHO it is the best damn job in the world but.... Don't expect to fund your retirement with it!

Absolutely go for it.

I'm 36 with a bare CPL, 260hrs, and have just returned to flying after 10 years. It cost $1800 to get current, and I already have a part time gig meat bombing in Melbourne so I'm back to square already.

I have also applied for the QF Cadet scheme. At present I'm at Stages 3 & 4, the medical and the panel interview. Whilst I haven't had any official feedback yet, external eye exam to be completed, I'm confident that I'll get in. The night I returned home from Sydney, I had an e-mail from QF advising me that "effective immediately NVFR is no longer a pre-requisite for the Commercial Cadet Pilot Program".

I assume that this only applies to me, as nothing has changed on their web site. I have previously held a MECIR.

The moral to the story. IF you really want to get back into flying, now is the time. The way I see it, the boom wont last forever and I'm doing everything I can to ensure that I have a seat in an aircraft when the boom stops.

Good luck.

Omega471

ACMS interesting you should say that 'cause I know a guy not too long ago applied to QL (not sure why he bothered tho) he was late 40's around 5000 hrs TT with most of that Turbine & QL said not suitable! Why? he didn't have year 12 subjects, how pathetic are they! They(QL) don't deserve experience like that, they get correct spelling pilots who would be able to fill out the paperwork 100% but that's about all!



F

My mate has all the required education levels the the rat require.

Sad but true fact of QF recruitment I'm affraid.

Flyitboy,

I know two people who have got a start with Eastern recently without the required HSC subjects.:eek:

Pinky
 

Bloody hell man!!!!:eek:
You just gave a big kick in the bum. I just turned 49 with similar experience and every time i hear aircraft noise i run outside to look up the sky.
My wife going to hate me but i am putting my wings back on my shirt.
Where is that phone?
Thanks dude, i owe you one!:ok:

Krusty 34
 

Krusty, this looks like proof positive that the Rex CP believes in the tooth fairy! :ok: