The huge amount of older guys getting their CPLs
 

Having done 5 of my CPL exams in Perth, I noticed a scary amount of older guys sitting their exams.For the most part there was 70% or more 30+ year old sitting the exams.Talking about this recently to a few guys at the school they were showing concerns about this aswell.
I don't think there;s anything wrong with this but if there's more older guys training then youngins then there's something wrong.

Although once the fee-help scheme comes through later this year we'll see about 20x more kids lining up and flooding the market :D

And....
 

Your Point is??



DIVOSH!

Scary?
 

And why would increased numbers in older guys and girls sitting their CPL's be a "scary" thing?

BJ

As one of these 'scary' older guys, I have to wonder why it is that you (and your colleagues) seem so scared of us?

:confused:

Maybe he's scared of the competition.:ELook at it from an employers perspective. More mature pilot, less likely to turn up p1ssed or stoned, less likely to be using the flying schoold or charter job merely as a stepping stone in their mad scramble to make it into the regionals.
There are probably many more good reasons why age and maturity will be a more attractive option over youth and inexperience.

Maybe there's more older guys because of the high costs involved. Unless you have a rich daddy it takes a few years to get the money together, or the credit rating necessary to borrow the money. Good on 'em, I say.
However, there is probably a practical upper limit to "old" if you are just starting out, or trying to get back in after many years out of the business. At just what age does it become a lost cause? Like fitness to fly beyond 60, it's a highly variable number depending on the individual. There's something a bit sad about pilots who hang on too long and don't admit to themselves that they are losing it. Like professional tennis, the time to go is when you are at the top of your game.

30+ you consider older?:bored: Geez had you said 50+ I would have agreed but at 30+ yr still wet behind the ears!:)


CW

30+ is old? That's still 30-35 years of working life left...:rolleyes:

I would actually say that someone who is 30+ with a bare commercial and some 'life experience', is far more employable than a 20 something straight from school wanna be who is still 'wet behind the ears'...;)

'Generation Y' have a lot to learn!:hmm:

A rather immature post
 

your comments reflect your age RawHammer.

Even starting out at 40 gives the dude/dudette a very fulfilling 25yr long career. The real "scary" thing that you may want to consider is that almost all the airlines out there prefer taking in a 'life experienced' and older green CPL as compared to a much, much younger person for many reasons I will not delve into.......for which, there are the cadet schemes.

Just my recent observations and personal opinion.

its the hordes of 457 visas you need to worry about.

I can't see a problem with OLDER guys learning to fly.
We even have space for a walking frame on our plane (for those that have made it to 30)

I find the ignorance of the thread starter the most scary thing of all.:D

I certainly hope this is the case... otherwise I am just boring holes in the sky... and my account balance! :\

So ... Who payed for your training so far rawrawhammer? probably someone over 30 i would bet.

Now I can see why some Airlines would want to employ older people if the young ones show the attitude you have just put across.

i would say the reason is there are so many 30+ doing there CPL would show that opportunities exist for life experience... Not some secret agenda against pimple faces.

I'm on the borderline so i don't know who's side i should be on (sarcas) I guess i should ask my younger GF that i stole off a 22YO.

:ouch:

Misunderstanding here guys.All I am trying to say is that when there is more "second career" people entering a field then young "straight from schools" then it's a bit scary.By scary I mean that it makes one like my self think.."what am I doing?too risky?I have a huge loan strapped to my back and not many other young guys seem to be doing it?WTF am I doin?".Do you see what I mean.
Don't get me wrong, I am 100% for older guys changing careers and entering into aviation but that wasn't my point.

Compare any other field of education and you will see that it's 90% under 25s studying/training so it makes Aviation be the odd one out.That's another reason why it is so strange although no other field requires 50k plus cash to get started, the difference is stil too significant in my eyes.

cheers again

Go the older guys
 

Being an ancient old man of 32...:8, I reckon it is great so many people are having a crack at 30+. Most 30+ trainees have had a long interest in aviation & most will remember when they were in their early 20's the aviation industry had a glut of low hour pilots, September 11, Ansett collapse etc, that put many of us off from fulfilling our ambitions. The HECS-Help scheme as far as I know applies to course fees and not flying fees. It is great for anyone of any age to fulfill their dream.That is my piece for the day!:)

Cheers.

Big Risk
 

I can see your point RawRaw, it is a big risk for anyone and generally 20-somethings will be requiring finance if they haven't secured backing from family etc. Good luck mate and follow your dream.

In the olden days it took 20 odd years to find a decent job.:(

So the current surge in 30+ trainees is related to pilot shortage and perceived opportunities in the industry at the moment? Is the shortage as bad as people say it is?

Its a risk for us all... As for your first post being rather narcissistic rrh your second back peddling post makes much more sense.

Good luck to us all