byrondaf

Personally I would say if you can get onto CTC wings then it's probably the best chance for employment outside of the MPL schemes.

GCSE maths is sufficient. Just have a look online for sample pilot assessment maths tests and you'll get a good idea. It's nothing that taxing.

JB007

Hi Chris,

I'd start with getting a Class One Medical, just to make sure all is ok! CAA, Aviation House at Gatwick is where you'll do your initial medical, prices will be on the website!

mcbenny

Hi everybody!
As the title of my post says, it's time for me to make a decision about my future.
I'm almost 37 years old, I live in NE of Italy and I've been working as a truck driver for the past 7 years in order to save enough money to allow me to self-fund my modular training with enough cash to spare for any additional training that might be required during the ATPL phase and also taking into account the possibility of a type rating.
I'm single with the freedom to do whatever I want, self-funding myself so no need for bank loans or asking money to parents or relatives (even though the first ones unfortunately cannot be of any financial aid but for accomodation, and I would ask for help to the second ones only as a "last-ditch resort").
I had my Initial Class 1 at Gatwick back in 2005 and successfully revalidated it in 2011 so the Medical side of the whole process is OK!
Back then I'd have signed with my own blood to start my training but money was THE issue. Trucking seemed to be the perfect solution. I was determined in gaining my truck driving licences and lucky in finding a well-paid job with a big company (after 2 successfull interviews which unfortunately led to nothing!). Happy with my job even though (yes, you guess it!) I have no social life, living on the truck basically the whole week and often spending the weekend abroad.
So after all this effort, all these sacrifices, after climbing on top of this "big financial mountain" I'm finally in the position of quitting my job and starting my training.
I'm opting for the modular route for quite a lot of reasons and doing it full-time. Pretty "standard route" for that: PPL in USA, Groundschool with Bristol, back in the USA for hour building, then UK again for ME-CPL, IR and MCC (with the possible addition of a JOC).
As I stated earlier, being free to do and go wherever I want would allow me to accept any job anywhere.
I'm actually very happy about the way I've planned both the financial side of my training and the training itself, as I think I'm really doing things properly and carefully.
Still, it's a HUGE decision on my shoulders.
Leaving a fixed-term job in the current economical situation looks like hazardous to say the least even though holding a truck driver licence can be regarded as "some kind of a parachute", it's a good B-plan.
I do not take for granted that I'll get my licences, I know it's a lot of hard work and moreover I've been clearly out of the studying habit for the past 10+ years so it's gonna be quite a struggle at the beginning.
Finding myself aged 40+ with a frozen ATPL and no job at all...well, not the best of feelings I have to say!
At the same time, I recon this is the last chance, it's "now or never". It's a pivotal point of my life. After this ride, this struggle it'd be a "crime" not to give a shot at it; it's something I'd regret it when I'm an old man looking back at his life. My heart says "go for it!!", my brain says "wait a minute, this is a risky move".
I know, in the end, it all comes down to my own decision but if any of You guys would have something to say, pieces of advice, words of wisdom from lived experiences, that would be MUCH appreciated!

chriss92

Cheers Byron, will check it out.

chriss92

Will have a look JB. Many thanks.

fwjc

At 35 I had had a PPL for quite a while. Even though I couldn't afford it all, I decided to train for my tickets because I didn't want to get to 40 and regret not trying. I did it modular whilst retaining a full time job, most of the time. I do have some loans as a result.
However I did it knowing that it could all come to nothing. Accepting that I have NO regrets whatsoever no matter what the outcome is. I'm (hopefully) a better pilot. And I know I tried my absolute hardest to get there. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and I'd rather try and fail than not try at all. The cost, to me, was worth it.



I have done some part time flight instruction recently, and have just landed my first full time flying position (not as an instructor). It was not easy and I made a lot of sacrifices, but so far nothing I have regretted. BTW I couldn't afford to work full time as an instructor, otherwise I would have done. The job I have now is double instructor's pay.

globalste

I gave up a job that paid more than any flying job ever will, but it was also very stressful.

I was lucky to get sponsored by an airline and at 35 I have just unfrozen my licence. It took 3.5yrs to get from nothing to a full licence. I've wanted to be a pilot pretty much all my life, I was sponsored by the RAF through college and Uni but my eyesight let me down in 3rd year of Uni.

Now 15yrs on since the RAF dropped me, I have my full EASA ATPL.


Was it worth it?? I don't know. Airline jobs have so many annoyances with them that 9-5 jobs don't. Want to go to that wedding in 5 months time? Only if you can get the weekend off. Last minute holiday booking? Forget it. Summer holiday with the kids? No chance because its done on a stupid system called seniority.

Now, everyone can say "ah but you knew all this...". Nonsense. I guarantee that no matter how many bases you think you have covered, this industry will continue to throw open a can of worms at you.

scttraveller

I'm 29 years old from Vancouver, Canada. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia. I came to this forum looking for advice on how to pursue my dream. I know this have been asked many times before, but every situation is going to be a bit different. Considering how expensive flight school is, I want to get as much advice as I can get so that I can make the best possible decision.

I know it's often been asked if it's too late to start a career as a pilot. Seems like if people in their 30s can achieve their dreams, I guess I can too. I haven't started flight school yet as I'm still thinking about how I'll finance my education and which school to go to. Base on my research, it seems like Professional Flight Centre may be my best bet. I have even went down there to talk to a flight instructor to get an idea of how much it'll cost to be trained.

My ultimate goal is to fly for a major international airline. Since I'm a Canadian citizen, Air Canada seems like a logical choice, but from what I gather, it's very difficult to get a job at Air Canada due to the number of jobs that are actually available. I guess competition is going to be very fierce in Canada. Is that still the case as of mid-2014?

An acquaintance of mine works for Cathay Pacific as a pilot. He is a former classmate of a friend of mine. He briefly told me how he ended up working for Cathay. Basically he started flight school at about 26 years old full time in Eastern Canada (Moncton if I remember correctly). As soon as he was done, he applied to Cathay Pacific's program and he was admitted about a year after. Upon completion of the training program, he became a pilot for Cathay Pacific. This is all that I remember from our short conversation. Is it really possible to become a first officer in a span of 3-4 years after obtaining a commercial pilot license? He was more or less implying that it's possible and yet from what I gather over here at PPRUNE, it could take much longer than that. Unfortunately for me, I don't have HK citizenship so I cannot legally work in Hong Kong. The acquaintance have not just Hong Kong citizenship, but also Canadian.

Right now, I am not fully settled in Vancouver. I don't have a car loan, mortgage, or any form of loans. I don't have a house. I don't have anything that will force me to stay in Vancouver. Is it easy for someone with a Canadian commercial pilot license to work overseas? In the news, they always talk about huge demand for pilots in China. In fact, there was a story in the papers about a pilot from a town near Chicago making about US$21,000/year jumping to US$90,000/year after moving to Tianjin, China. Is this a viable option for me if for whatever reason I can't secure a job with Air Canada or WestJet? I can also speak Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese so that's something that's been on my mind.

I know it'll be difficult to tell me, but in your opinion, how long will it take to obtain a commercial pilot license if I were to do it part time? If I remember correctly, the guy at Pro IFR said 1 year is possible if I were to do it full time, but 3-4 years if part time. I would like to do it full time, but I will need to work to come up with the estimated $35,000-$40,000 to obtain the commercial pilot license.

I'm not sure if this have been addressed before, but would it be easier and cheaper if I were to become a pilot through the military? Recently I became aware that the Canadian military is looking to hire and train pilots. I don't know what the procedure and commitment is like. I do plan on dropping by a local recruitment office to ask some questions sometime later this week. It seems like this will be a much cheaper option and I'll get paid while I'm being trained. I'm not sure if it'll be easy or not to transition from the military to civilian aviation. I'm also not sure if I will have to commit a certain number of years to the military. I have a hunch that may be the case. What are your comments on this scenario?

I know that there are other jobs with other companies besides the airlines. The acquaintance of mine told me don't pursue this as a profession if my only objective is to work for an airline as I may never get in. Any comments on that? I'm not saying that I'll have to work for a major airline, but at the same time, I don't want to be making $25,000/year or so for the rest of my life working for (not sure the words to describe it) the much smaller regional airlines. I would hope that after making accumulating enough hours and experience, I can at least have a shot at working for a major airline and get a decent salary.

Sorry for this long thread. My questions seem a bit over the place. I've been thinking about this for a few years now. I've actually been thinking about being a pilot ever since I was a kid, but being Chinese, my parents wanted me to go to university and be a professional (lawyer, accounting, and etc.). I had the conversation with the acquaintance of mine a few years ago. I never went through with it because the cost of flight school just put me off. At this stage of my life, I don't want to have any regrets. I only get to live once. I mind as well give it a shot considering I don't have to make the upfront payment of $45,000. It's paid by the hour so at least I can give it a shot and see where things will go. Your comments will be greatly appreciated and I hope it'll help guide me on the right path to pursuing this dream.

Thank you.

Al Murdoch

Just a personal experience for you guys: I started my flying training when I was in my early thirties. I had a good previous employment record which probably helped. I was able, in the middle of the recession, to get a job with a LCC and am now at a major international airline. Everything worked out exactly as I wanted and I am very happy in my job and career.
However - I have been VERY lucky in this regard. I know people of similar ages who for no good reason, have not been able to find employment in the industry. Despite the law in the UK, which outlaws ageism in employment, most airlines get around this very easily. Nobody has ever sued them (to my knowledge) so there is no case law.
It is only now that I realise just what a massive gamble I was taking with my career. It paid off in my case, but if I was to have my time again, I wouldn't take such a risk.

stranger12

Hi All,

I hope you are well.

I want to become a pilot and persuade my childhood dream which could not fullfill earlier in life. below is a short summary about me and what I want to do after which I will ask the questions I have in mind and will appreciate every single answer.


I am 27 years old and do not have any background in aviation etc .
I am working at the moment and touch the wood the income is ok to allow me to attain my private pilot license within the next 1-3 years for 45 hours of flight and doing all exams.

by that time I will be around 30ish and understand form reading around to be a commercial pilot, I need to have 200 hours of training .

questions I have are :

1. Am i very old to start this ? Can I start as late as 35 and become a pilot ?

2. what is the job market like, is it very tough to get in ?

3. is the salary range between 50-150K ( pound ) depending on experience ?

4. after the 45 hours of training in the UK, do I just need to do another 155 hours of normal flight or does it have to be on a multi engine aeroplane and I guess it will be more expensive .

I am currently paying around £180 per hour for training.

5. is the 8 poolys book all that is needed to read and pass to become a pilot ? This is needed for private license, are there more exams to pass for commercial license?

6. I am fit physically and have no issues however I need to wear glasses.
I also have filled tooth (about 5-6 ) and one tooth from the back of my mouth missing. I think i will be cetified for class 2 medical, however for class 1 medical certificate would my current condition be an issue?

I have always heard people saying if your vision is not perfect or have filled tooth you will fail but never did any investigation on it . I didn't hear this from expert but rather friend and family which is why I am asking for your opinion.

Your help is much appreicated .

I should mentioned I can complete this in 1 year if I can see a hope that from PPL I can move onto commercial license fairly easy as it will be a career change for me .

Many thanks and sorry if you get asked the same questions over and over again.

Parson

stranger12,

You need to do a bit more research, though given that you haven't undertaken much training yet, that is understandable.

You're younger than many who start out on the commercial route so that is not an issue. Before you spend too much money, get a Class One medical - that is imperative and don't listen to other peoples 'stories' about what's an issue/what isn't.

Worry about the rest later but do consider part-sponsored/mentored schemes at this stage.

stranger12

makes sense.

in terms of age, I guess that is not a significant factor , is it ?
I may get my commercial license in around 5 years and by then I will be in my early 30 .

I am planning to apply for job while working in my current job which is well paid and once found a job move on.

I have also seen people suggesting to do glider towing for hour building , can I do that with a private license ?

Parson

Your age is not a problem.

Yes, you can tow a glider with a PPL but getting a job doing so may not be that easy unless you have connections with a club. The glider club at my local airfield has several tug pilots and all are glider pilots who have upgraded to PPL. It is possible though and many have built hours that way.

stranger12

what would be other alternative ways of hour building ?

I have seen people saying you can buy a share in tha plan and rent it cheaper as much as £30 per hour.

also seen some advertisements of planes which old cessnas go for around 15-30K ( uk pound) so if I invest £10 or round there then i have a plane, right ?


most schools I looked at seems to charge around £120 per hour for solo which is rather expensive.

on some other websites I saw a plane which was for sale and also dry lease of £40 per hour .

what does dry lease include

I know I have asked many questions and will do reasearch however appreciate any input.


mainly what do you see as alternative to hour building .

for example have seen banner towing , glider towing etc which I guess all pay you but will be happy to do it for free. btw how much would they pay if they did ?

Parson

I assume you mean hour building from PPL up to 150 hrs prior to CPL following a modular route.

If so, you should use that time to get yourself ready for your CPL course. Speak to the school where you intend to do your CPL and get a structured hour-building progamme, practising the skills you will need. Also, familiarise yourself with the local area where you will be doing your formal training and get to know airfields, landmarks, airspace restrictions etc.

Structured hour building is another cost on the way to getting your licence. Don't go boring holes in the sky, make the most of it and enjoy. It will probably be the only time you have a fixed number of hours to fill in that way.

Dry lease excludes fuel.

turbopropulsion

That was nice of you to answer that for him. To be honest, he clearly hasn't done a single bit of research himself.

stranger12

@Parson, many thanks

@turbopropulsion, i think you are mis judging. I have done research but there is so much information that it can get confusing and still is so hence why any comment will help as i might be looking at the wrong place.

I am simply trying to see how I can do my hour building with out huge expense.

I am doing it modular as you may have guessed so after the 45 hours then i want to do hours as cheap as possible or even get paid if I can to build up to 150 hours

Icepyropilot

thanks for the great inspiration, i'm 48 with 400 hours on my private and am going to transition to being a commercial pilot from owing my own business. Finishing up commercial and then moving on to my IFR and multi engine. Any other inspirational words or advice you can give from your journey ?

whentostop

Having gotten into aviation on the wrong side of age 25 I will share my experience with you.

There is most definitely age discrimination in the industry. In fact it's rife. No one will ever admit it though. The preference for guys willing to pay for everything and work for peanuts has been adopted by many companies big and small.

Beware of the "my mate knows a guy who is a captain now and he started when he was like 45!!" Things like this are super rare and again anyone coming on her telling you otherwise doesn't know what they are talking about.

From the class I trained with a couple are on wide bodies, a couple are on turbo props and some dropped out all together. I'm in GA limbo treading water. The guys on jets were all foreign students. They all went back to their home countries when they finished. None of us locals ever cracked a jet job.

Unless you are prepared to drop 70k pounds down the toilet without getting upset, go ahead and get a CPL.

WillMarks

Hey guys , I am 28 years old , married with two children and I am prepared to go back to my country of origin (Brazil) to get my license , I have enough money to pay upfront for about 150 hours and take it from there but the " I am too old for this" is really bothering me , has anyone here got into aviation at my age ? Is there any advice you would like to give me ? Please bear in mind that I have lost a lot of sleep over this and It's something that has always been my dream but up to now I have not been able to do it so I willing (and most likely will) to go for it . I don't want to look back in five years time and regret not taken this shot .