At my airline we’ve hired 60 year olds …..you’re fine airline begins with U …….

Thought as much... most of the pilots I've talked to have always been very supportive when it comes to age... the most negative thing I've heard is that sometimes it might be the case where if its a straight choice between someone like us and a young buck, the airline will naturally see a longer investment in the younger guy. But that shouldn't dissuade, if you've got the skills, you'll find something!

I went to Smart, finished at the end of May. Had a really great time. Feel free to PM me if you want a detailed opinion.

I was short listed for selection for TUIs experienced pilot non airline background scheme at 42. Interview cancelled due to covid. Although I am not low houred it still shows 31 age wise is no issue if getting to the airlines is your thing.

Hi Scott C,

I am 35 and in a similar situation as you are (although a bit older, hope not too old still) since I am going to start ground training for ATPL. I did PPL a couple of years ago, and as many of us here, have this dream job and life ever since I remember, so I decided I should try and hopefully, achieve it.

My main concerns are job prospects when I finish everything in 1,5-2 years time or so, probable recession, terms and conditions, pay to fly as potential only choice, and least important, being the "grandpa" in the theory classes compared to 18-20 yo lads. Even considering all these big uncertainties and hurdles, I decided to go for it...

Best of luck, we sure need it!

There's maybe hope for me yet then at 43 now the kids are at/nearly at secondary school.
Tho my PPL (JAR) probably well out of date now and my local school/club is now closed post-covid.
Are 'middle-aged' newbies even favoured by the airlines in this brave new world...

I was recently offered a place on easyjet MPL and I'm in my mid/late thirties. Only point through the selection process that my age was even raised was at the very end, and it was raised by me not them, asking the EZY training captain doing my interview about his thoughts on later career changers. He was entirely positive, with all the usual lines about maturity, life experience etc etc. And I know of at least two others that started MPL in late forties/early fifties.

I know MPL is a bit of a different route to modular, but EZY certainly don't seem to care if you're a bit older.

So how's it going dobbiej?

Can't believe so much time has passed since my first post on this Forum in Nov, 2004 wondering if I were too old to begin a career in aviation at 37. Why am I here now? Last night I passed 4000 hrs flight time. Doesn't seem like many since I began my training in 2005, but aviation has taken me on a journey with experiences I never would have lived had I not had the courage to go for it. It's not all been a bed of roses...I was "grounded" between 2012-2016 and those were very difficult years personally...but I always maintained my focus, discipline and being true to myself.

You CAN achieve anything in life.

Safe landings!

P.S. And only this week I got my third ICAO language certification. You're never too old to learn!

Very inspiring post. Thanks for coming back after all these years.
I am in my late 30s and just passed my ME-IFR. Thinking hard about the CPL now because i have almost all the prerequisites. What matters is the journey.

Well, here we are in November. I'm completely addicted to flying. I have my PPL and a Class 1. Kicking off ATPL studies in the new year.

People leave too many things for the new year and invariably achieve practically none. Commit and start now! Go on

I am probably an older version of you so here is my experience.

I am in my late 30s Software dev (actually a team manager on top of being a dev).

If you are unclear about the path in front of you, I suggest you do both in parallel. Keep and progress with your job, get pay increases. At the same time you can get new ratings/qualifications:
- Night VFR next
- Then do you cross country prerequisite. As part of it, do your 300NM XC for the CPL. Don't forget the stamps from FBOs on your logbook.
- When you are done with your Night VFR + XC, start the multi engine + ME-IFR. You will have 30 instrument hours left to do.

When you are done with ME-IFR you will realize you have many prerequisites done for the CPL. I am at this point.

In Canada (do not know for your country), when you start a CPL with the intent of finding a job, you can write off a lot of flying hours (back to PPL!) from your income.
That is where keeping your software job makes sense. As you go up in tax brackets, you can get more cash back from the government.

Also, another more important reason to keep your job is that you accumulate experience in that field. If for any reason, you need to go work back there in the future, you increase your chances to find a job.

In 2019, i was looking at the flight instructors leaving for companies with envy. I almost wanted to stop my software career and go all in. Less than a year later i was relieved to still have a job.
Depending on your financial situation, it will help you stay out of painful debt and remove some stress.

Hi everyone. Following this thread for 10 years. read many inspirational posts through years. Thanks those hwo helped to keep my dreams alive. I am 33 y/o, senior resident in neurosurgery (10 month left). I always wanted to be a commercial pilot but you know “life”. I am now married, 1 kid. We are living in Turkey and trying to move UK in 1-2 years. I am writing this post to come back in 5 years (i guess) as a com pilot. I was hoping to apply turkish airlines cadet program but they have 30y/o age limit so i couldnt. See you soon 🤚🏻

Given the airlines' recent focus on diversity, how old was the oldest tagged and/or sponsored cadet you've seen at the point they entered training?

Have you seen a regional or short-haul operator be persuaded that a 50 year old cadet will be much less likely to switch to a seniority-heavy long-haul airline after a few years of flying the line?

Why on earth would your want to give up a job as a doctor to be a plane driver ..?

Umm, y-e-ah... Good luck...

I would say it all depends what your ambitious are. Instructing at local club or Airlines.
When I was 40 I had already has my PPL for long time, so I did not start from Zero, but I had not flown for almost 20 years or more.

I did modular, and was 42 when I finished the courses. 12 months later I got my first Airline job, and it was a lot of luck getting that first job.
Hard work. It was based in Europe, so would not work for most UK pilots today, with a young family, and commuting by air 3 hours to get to "home base" I used to have 2 full days at home, and 8 days of work and commuting either to work or home. But if you choose to go this way, you can't be picky and you should be aware of the pitfalls if you decide to invest +£100K into this career at a late time in your life.

It's hard on your private / personal life and health, when you start commuting, as you miss almost everything of importance and have very little say over your own life the first 4 - 5 years, it cost me a marriage (divorce) and the ensuing battles that comes with this (phycological stress which almost cost me my job/ career) This can manifest itself through your Sim checks, medicals and mental health with all the stress going on around in your life. Spending 2 days at home within a 10 day period, definitely did not improve family life, although for me personally there were other reasons for the divorce then the commuting / flying job, but it certainly was a factor.

Also be aware of even if you have a Class 1 medical, there are many things completely beyond our control when we get older, that suddenly happens with little or no notice. Issues with eye sight due to age, abnormal ECG readings which will cost a small fortune to have diagnosed, unhealthy lifestyle (food, drink etc) and work life (fatigue).
There are so many "traps" during this career if you manage to get into it, that can make you loose your job and your +£100K investment in training.

I was "lucky" and commuted only for 2 years, before I managed to get a job back in the UK. Instead of commuting 3 hours by air, I was now commuting only 4 (2+2) hours by car or train every day, but at least most days I was home with my family.
The initial contract for the first 4 years also back in the UK was not the greatest, depending on your lifestyle it might be big changes in your life and spending habits, besides if you are commuting the extra costs of these too adds up, both financially and with fatigue.

However during the whole time since I started, I made myself "small goals", and slowly over time I have ended up closer to home, better TC's and finally I got my move to LHS, 10 years after my first job in the industry, and delayed by 2.5 years due to Covid, which was another massive scare for the industry. The loss of Covid due to my age vs example pensions, has cost me a lot, but at least I managed to keep my job and get my upgrade as soon as life came back to normal.

But during the journey there have been many obstacles on the way, things that are beyond our control, things that can risk the economical security and safety of your family. So yes there is a bitter sweet happy ending, and overall I have no regrets, but this is the reality and it took me 10 years to get where I wanted, and the fear is that you can loose anytime for a dodgy ECG reading.

As an "older", we carry a lot more luggage in our lives, then someone in their early 20's or even early 30's.

Speak for yourself!
But a very good point - you need complete focus to make it in this game. Best to get the first divorce over sooner rather than later.

Hello

Honest advice sought please. I am 49 with a PPL, IR(R) nearly completed and about 250 hours. Becoming a pilot was always the plan since early childhood and I was sponsored through university on a RAF Cadetship but medically discharged just before IOT due to an issue that is long since resolved. I subsequently went into business for myself, did OK and have enough financial security that I can afford commercial pilot training and to take a job that I want to do, rather than worry too much about what it pays or what promotion prospects it offers. Mainly, I just want to enjoy what I do, work with some nice people and do a good job, ideally in an adequately resourced and apolitical environment.

After selling my company I retrained and now work for the NHS. On a good day I love it but overall I think I'd rather be flying. So, I am thinking about leaving my medical career behind, getting my CPL/IR and maybe flying for a (modest) living. I have a few specific questions and if anyone is able to answer all or any of them I would be very grateful:

1. Job opportunities - what (if any) job prospects might there be for a 50 year old pilot with a low hours CPL/IR? Where is the best place to look for such opportunities?
2. Training - would my employment prospects be strengthened by completing my training with one of the bigger flight training organisations?
3. Other ideas - are there any other interesting aviation career opportunities I could consider instead ? For example, I saw some advertisements recently for UAV pilots that appeared to be open to PPL holders, which sound interesting. As well as some flying experience I also had a successful 20 year career in business and I am also a qualified healthcare professional so perhaps there is a way to utilise this combined experience?

I appreciate the opportunities will be much more limited because of my age although I'm fit, healthy and hopefully have a solid 10-15 years left before I'm done, so time for one more career!

Any advice gratefully received, thank you.

Best wishes
73DT

Hi, like the question, this obviously isn’t a pipe dream!

1. Good, provided you are willing to potentially pay 30K for a type rating at somewhere like Ryanair. Jobs are available without but very competitive. £30K in the bank and a licence in hand today and you can be a Ryanair captain in five years on the right side of £100K

2. No No No No No!! I cannot stress this enough. The big schools are sausage factories which exist to maximise the revenue extraction from every student. You get the same bit of paper at the end but will pay £100K rather than £60K for the privilege. Expect to be treated like a 15 year old, seriously. I was a mere uni grad and it was a shock to me, you’ll be taken aback by how you’re treated. Have a look at how some of them handled their students over covid, disgusting. Go Modular, use the saved money for a type rating.

3. Meh, honestly it’s probably just little jobs to use PPL holders. They know they’ll work for nothing to get ‘drone pilot’ on their CV. You’re getting a licence, you want to be an airline captain, presumably, I wouldn’t mess about with that sort of thing (you wanted honesty)!

Age wise won’t be an issue in Europe, you’ll be a breath of fresh air to your instructors if anything.

Get your class 1 ASAP. If you get that in hand then look at options, here can help a lot.

Good luck with it! You’ll get a solid 12/13 years from it if you keep going until 65, and there is absolutely a real chance of being a captain for a good number of those years.