rudestuff

I take it you're from Canada? Are you prepared to move for a job? Assuming you take 2 years to become employable, you'd still have a 15/20 year career ahead of you.

mhurley

Hi,

I'm an aspiring pilot, currently in the preparation and securing funds stage and aim to begin my ATPL in Summer 2024.

I realize I'm of an advanced of age, and I didn't have the best math and physics grades over a decade ago. I have been preparing for University entrance exams (for over 25) to the best polytechnic in my country with a focus on engineering and architecture. I've been hitting the books hard. I figured of I had very good marks in physics and maths on an official entrance exam it would compensate for the age and academic background.

Once I receive news of my acceptance into the university--fingers crossed--and given my official results this coming spring (usable all over my country to access public universities similar to a leaving cert or a levels for over 25) I would then take a PPL on my own for a few months just to see how it goes. I then want to apply to a cadet program (fat chance, I know) or an ATPL+Degree option at a reputable ATO.

Either of these trajectories are looking to have me be 34 or 35 at graduation. If I could just get into the assessment and interview phases at a cadet program or a big ATO, I am confident I can perform competitively. I just don't want them to toss my initial application to selection phases into the bin.

I also know most ATOs will be happy to take my money and make appeals to my dreams lol. With that in mind I figured since I'm at an age disadvantage my best bet would be to go to the big ATOs such as CAE or FTE for example--and assuming I would pass their selections and even be offered a spot.

Maybe it's a big financial risk, maybe it's my best bet.

If I cannot get into a cadet program (at 32) and go the self-sponsored route, what are the odds I'll get picked up as a second officer at a regional or a small cargo airline? A lot of those ATOs say they have official recruitment agreements, or showcase where their alumni have gone off to. They must have spent 2-3 years time building right out of the ATO with CFI and later self-funded Type Rating right? Or do pilot's get recruited our of ATOs like that?

I am sure every flavor of this same story has graced these forums but I'd love some advice, insights, takeaways from anyone's experience. Pleasantly surprising news or hard truths welcome, too

rudestuff

(1) Bullshit...
(2) The hard truth is this there is a goal pilot shortage and this is the best time in a long time to become a pilot - As long as you don't waste your time with a degree and miss the boat. 🤣

mhurley

Trust me, I am well aware of the time waste that could potentially be! I figured those degree+atpl programs (3 instead of 2 years) would at least compensate for my perceived "advanced age" haha.

I also have US citizenship (along with Spanish). I am seeing US is cheaper, easier to finance, and better prospects at employment--would going EASA CPL/MPL and later qualifying for FAA be better, or vice versa?

lederhosen

Timing is everything, a young aeroclub friend with dual nationality did his licenses in Florida and was offered an instructor job at his flightschool. At 1500 hours just over 2 years from starting he got a regional CRJ position and starts next week having got 1000 jet hours with United. He was booked to upgrade on the CRJ but turned it down due to the mainline job. If you have the chance I would strongly recommend the US. Having said that one of my favorite german copilots has just upgraded to 777 captain in his early thirties. I acknowledge there is a bit of thread drift in the last couple of posts. These examles do however suggest that the market is picking up.

danthepilot

Hi,
just looking into costing up a modular route or integrated ATPL. At 45 time is a factor so the integrated route would seem to be a quicker way in, but more costly. Divorce settlement is a helping hand but dont want to bet too much of the house at this age. Both routes at this stage would come with no guarantees, so given the investment is it better to hedge bets on a cheaper modular route or go balls in on the integrated route. I have a lapsed ppl and some air squadron time around 20 hours, total about 65 hours. Most of the hands on skills are still there as I took a lesson / refresher recently. Keen to give it a shot as the nagging feeling never goes away.
thanks all

RichardH

You will get very little credit for holding a PPL on an integrated course also you might feel out of place with most half your age and of a different mindset. Stick to pay as you go modular, I can assure you that it is perfectly possible to complete a modular UK/EASA FrATPL in the same or occasionally less time than integrated course if you work at it full-time. Also as discussed on other threads the financial risks are significantly reduced, I know a number of former student of a similar age do very well in the corporate sector (biz jets).

All the best - now go and get a class one medical.

rudestuff

No contest. The USA has cheaper flight training, plentiful jobs and they pay more.

danthepilot

Thanks RichardH for confirming my thinking, am keen to go into bizjets, have one stuck to the fridge as a reminder, cheers

Flyingdog84

Hello folks, 39 here from Europe. Just want to share my experience with you all, maybe will help somebody.
I completed all my beloved training, after lot of study, happiness, madness, anxiety... I can be proud of myself. I did not accomplished something of extraordinary but with family, job ecc ecc was not easy, also economically.
Now I am facing the other side, much more disappointing, trying to find a decent job, a job that pay for my job, not the opposite.
Only one company answered me besides lot of CV sent everywhere in Europe.
For a job, need to pay lot of money for the type, live without salary for few months during the training, after that the salary is peanuts for almost one year. In this mean time the old new pilot need to survive, pay a new rent somewhere, still provide for the family, ecc....
I am a civil engineer with a good salary with the dream and the love for aviation but facing a real budget plan, be pilot will just make me go through hard time and will take more than 10 year for get back this new investment without considering all the licence cost.
I did a budget plan considering all the cost, the missed gains, housing, living and all the predictable factors, also with the option to become captain after the 5th year. Make no sense for me "tight the belt" and also my family do not deserve to face difficult time because I have a dream.
I believe Europe do not really need pilots for now, maybe in the future, I will try to be ready for that moment. I think in US the situation is different.
cheers!!
​​​​​​

Crashington

Greetings, all!! I'm the resident FNG here and thought I'd say hello and also get a feel for things. I'm 55 years young and flew commercially for 20 years here in the Caribbean from the tender age of 19. I quit when things took a downturn here and the family life became all-consuming. I've been itching to dust off my wings and just did a Class 1 medical to make sure I was still fit for duty. When I stopped flying, I had accumulated around 13,000 hours of turbine time (mainly Twin Otter and Dash 8 100/300) and figured that in the current market, folks might be willing to overlook my age and concentrate on the experience. I'm seriously considering splashing out for a type rating to make things easier, either ATR 72 or Dash Q400 (my preference given my history on the Dash).
What do you good folk think should be my route going forward?

truckflyer

First of all you are not to old, I was in similar situation as you, it took me over 12 months to get my first job, and a few yours ago I got my LHS in a major European company. So it is possible, it's not easy to have to wait, but there are opportunities out there.
The obvious ones are Ryanair and Wizz, they are good companies to gain your initial experience and have European bases. The 5 year Captain plan is putting pressure on yourself as you should not do yet, worry initially about gaining experience and that will come when it comes. Things happen, such as we just saw 2 years of Covid delay and stop everything, but now there is a great demand for pilots, but you can't be picky.
But do to Pay2Fly, I have seen and heard many stories, and most of them do not always end well. Sure you might need to cover your TR, but make sure you have a contract with a company before you commit to this.

The question I have, is what are you expectations for a decent job? The companies I mention are hard work, and neither are for me long term solutions, but it gives you a start. Me and many I knew, were commuting few hours by air, staying away from our homes / families for 5 - 10 days at a time, some even more, and only got relative short time home with our loved ones, and pay was not great either for the first 4 - 5 years.
Many times "older guys" need slightly longer time for Command, again this is a very individual thing, and we are not all the same.