Hello

Just looking through this forum. Am a career changer, wound down my old business late 2019 with the intent of training modular, but full time, left school at 18 & been self employed for 12 years, with enough in the bank to cover the training costs a few times over - no debts, but no degree either (UK).

I am 31 (32 in Feb) and passed my PPL back in March 2020, days before the world went into this tailspin.

Been working on the theory through lockdown and am sitting on 95% average no failures on 10/14 ATPL subjects (taking the last 4 in a month). Class 1 medical, no issues.

Bit unnerved by some comments that airlines prefer younger, realistically, what is the typical age for intake into airline cadet schemes??? Been looking at the Ryanair Gateway schemes with Bartolini & VA in Cambridge - seen some posts on here saying Ryanair - off the record - aren't interested in older.

I am aware of the dreadful jobs market, was dreadful when I was 18 (in 2008 financial crash) but it recovered.

My question, I am certain that the airlines will recover, but if that is slow & realistically my first chance at a job is late 30's (assuming CPL etc is all passed this year, then a few years treading water if there are no jobs). Do I stand a chance, or am I in the wind

Of course. You've got 30 years left. You either want it or you don't, stop looking for someone to talk you out of it.

"Several times over" you say... Just how much are we talking? Have you considered helicopters as well? A dual rating would give you more options.

My advice would be if Airlines is the dream, you should see if it realistic to have a job by the time you are 45. Expect 2 - 3 years from you finish training until you might get the chance of a job (this is in Euro land)

Starting training anytime in your 30's is not to late, even if you are 39, as long as you can see a realistic chance of a job at approx 45.
Any later I would not bother, the risk and time is to big. Cost vs earning is just not worth it, unless you have loads of spare cash and no family to worry about.

Lad's, interesting read....Im 49 and back in 2002 i commenced my PPL. After racking up a little over 30hrs and having completed my PPL theory exam i was made redundant from my work, then the only flying school in the town where i lived closed down. One thing led to another and i never got back into it. After a 19yr gap I've just returned to the left seat with what was a plan to complete my PPL, whilst at my aero club and discussing life with my instructor (Who has been flying since 1970 and instructing since 1978) and one of his former students who is now a CFI and flying 208's in charter i was asked if id considered continuing on and getting my commercial. I hadn't considered this as i thought that i was getting on and may struggle with finding work. They've both given me much encouragement and advised that if I'm happy working in GA (Which i am) then ill have no issues finding work.

So ive just booked myself in for the first of the seven CPL exams with a hope now of obtaining my commercial in early 2023..little over a year away. If i end up flying GA commercially for as long as i can maintain a Class 1 medical which is hopefully into my late 60's then ill be a happy man knowing ive spent my latter working life doing something that ive always wanted to do.

Im a firm believe in if you want something bad enough, and if you work hard at it then it will come. Hopefully in a few years time i'll be getting paid to fly and my only regret will be that i didn't do it when i was younger instead of regretting that i never did it at all!

Congrats on pursuing your dream!

This being said, make sure that:

- you don't close the door to whatever profession was feeding you until now. Keep yourself updated and ready to go back to it in a moment notice. As good as things may look in aviation you never know when you'll need it
- you don't get into anything dangerous just because you feel the pressure to gain experience in GA. Your area is Western Australia and I've got no idea how things are over there, but I can tell you that in the rest of the world GA MIGHT mean unsafe conditions and poor salaries (maybe that is one of the reasons why you'll have no issues finding job), and some employers MIGHT see in you the chance of cutting corners for a profit.

Great points mate which are well worth taking into consideration, Im fortunate enough to have spent the last 21yrs in mining (mineral processing), worked in supervision, training and superintendent level roles and it is always a job i can fall back into very easily with my experience. Ill be continuing to work in this industry working a two weeks on/two weeks off roster whilst i build up the hrs and gain my commercial. On top of that i also have my trade as a mechanical fitter which would also see me employed very easily at the drop of a hat.

Im not one to cut corners, or work for someone that does...ill be under no pressure financially to find my first job in aviation (Or stay in it) so i wont be taking short cuts or working for someone that does. If i have safety concerns with the way a companies operating and they aren't interested in sorting them out then ill be out the door!

Hi there! I started modular atpl at 29 and now this year i am close to end my training at 32. Working full time and raise a baby plus pandemic was hard but i never considered to give up! now there is light to the end of the tunnel but we have the war in europe , an other problem. Do not wait for someone to tell you that your age is good or not .Just chase your dream and fly,study and work hard an the end you will be ok with your self! no matter the outcome!

I have been a pediatrician for the past 22 years in the United States, but I plan to switch career to become a commercial airlines pilot in three years. I would like to wait until my son goes to college before my flight training.

I have no flight experience, but I will be a third-generation pilot in my family. My grandfather was in the first Chinese air force, and both of my uncles were fighter jet pilots (they subsequently flew commercial after retirement from the air force).

I plan to complete my training by 55, so I can still fly for 10 years in commercial airlines. I live 10 minutes away from an airport in Long Beach, California.

Doc,
you may want to punt this question over to more of a US audience. Suggest www.airlinepilotforums.com

good luck,

I think this thread is exactly what I've been Googling!
26, Software Engineer, degree in Computer Science. It's a good career. It pays well and I kept my job over the pandemic, but it's just not for me. I'm about to reach out to a local school to start working towards my PPL. Being in work, cost isn't too much of an issue. My two main concerns were around how my age would come into play if I was to make a move towards becoming a commercial pilot and what exactly the best path is for me to take. I'm aware I would be taking a huge pay cut and it would cost a lot to get there. Seems like there is a lot of information out there, almost to the point where ?I have no idea where to look. I almost feel ridiculous even thinking about it.

I guess from the title of this sticky, I'm not too old then?

26 is prime time to start flying, you'll be done your training by 28 and have Airline minimums by 30-32. The more mature you are the more desirable you are for an employer at all levels

Hi all,

I'm shortly to head to Poland to complete my flying training, however, I am a bit concerned about job prospects once I finally have my licence in hand...

I am 31 years old, so getting on a bit compared to many coming out of the 'big' schools, but I have worked in the Aviation industry for 15+ years in a variety of roles, including; Ramp Agent, Dispatcher (Turnaround Coordinator), Ops, Ramp & Dispatch Trainer for a UK holiday airline, as well as in Management - Ramp Manager, Ground Operations Manager and currently as an Airport Manager, working between 2 airports for a large Ground Handling company.

Would this likely work in my favour having experience in the industry or are airlines / commercial operators preferring younger Pilots to join their ranks?

I got my PPL in 2009, but due to finance (mainly), it's taken until now to be able to afford to complete the rest of my training. At the end of it all I will have an EASA CPL/MEIR + MCC/JOC. It's been a long-term investment in terms of time and money, so whilst nothing is ever guaranteed, I suppose i'm just searching for some re-assurance that i'm not being put out to grass just yet!

Honest feedback would be appreciated.


Scott.

Trust me you are fine. Finish your training and just start applying. 30’s is still very young

You have excellent credentials - go for it.

I have a similar story but with less of an aviation career background pre-licenses and an extra 8 years ahead of you.... it takes all sorts and any experience is good experience. What the kids have in potential career longevity and being a fresh slate to mould, we make up for in proven resilience, people skills and realistic expectations!

Good luck with it!

31 is old? Is this some kind of joke?

Thank you. I definitely intend to - all being well by the end of the year i'll be submitting applications.

Great, thanks!

Thanks very much. I hope you're right.

I don't think it is - The last 15 years i've had time to learn a lot about the industry and what's goes on outside the cockpit in other departments.

The reason I asked this is because when i've talked to colleagues and others about going to Poland for 2 months to complete my flying training, i've had a few comments along the lines of "Aren't you about 10 years too old to start being a Pilot?" I suppose I was looking for some re-assurance from those within the industry that I do definitely still have as a good a chance as anyone of a flying career.

Were those colleagues pilots?

Changing career any time outside your early 20's often gets met with the "aren't you a bit late to start that" comment. Less people than you'd think have the imagination to consider a career change possible after about 27 years old... they're just trying to pass that lack of imagination on to you!

(P.S. Where in Poland are you going?)

No, ground-based colleagues.

Although it is essentially a career change, my ultimate goal has always to be a commercial Pilot... ever since I was 5 years old. However, i've tried to stay within the industry to help my experience and personal development - I suppose it could be seen as a stepping stone to where I want to be...

I was lined up to go to Smart Aviation but i've heard some worrying things lately, so will now likely be going to Adriana. Going over in a couple of weeks to visit both and make a final decision.

IF you genuinely think you are over the hill at 30ish, try at 49! I am about to start my TR and onto BT in the hope of a career in aviation.

How much I wish I had taken the step in my 30's but family commitments and constraints meant I wasn't able to but I kept that drive and determination going that one day I will...

Keep going...

P.S Check my thread I've started