Hi guys,

Hope everyone is doing fantastic!
I know, that there are a lot of similar discussions, but I would like to raise this topic again, just for the internal discussion I've been in aviation since 10 years now. All my experience was build in aircraft maintenance field. Today, I've done my PPL(A) and considering to move forward towards the big dream. Fly the Jet. Currently, I am 31 years old with total flight time around 61 hours, this is including training hours. Considering that I should live my life, go to work, take care of the family, pay the bills, raise the child, I could afford my dream in approx. from 3 to 5 years, which is means, that for the right seat, I am ready at my 36th. This is the timing, where I can be confident and within comfort zone considering that life is moving on and as well as financial aspects. So, the question is, am I to old for this at my 36th??

Would be lovely to hear your story regarding the full path of becoming commercial pilot.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Labas Diena Su Vistiena 😄✈️.

You still have about 30 years of career ahead of you from your 36th 😄😉.

The question is, what do you wish to achieve? Cpt. Big Jet or is Medium Short Haul Jet also OK? Will you be satisfied as well with Turbo Prop Job or Biz Jet?
Especially in your country, aviation biz is small, everyone knows eachother.

Many Lithuanians Go to Wizz, Ryan Air, AirBaltic, DOT/DAT and some Bizz Jet Operators. You have good chances there.

There are so many different fields in aviation as you know of course.

If you wish to go for it, and you dont put yourself and your family in financial problems, then go for it.

Do lots of networking during those years you are training.

Also expect that you might have to pay for your first Type Rating. Somewhere between 15 to 35K.

Once you make hours, other doors open up for better positions.

I know of quite a few guys who finished training halfway their 30s and made it into the cockpit, BUT, aviation os the first business getting hit when any crisis strikes.

The market now is pretty good, but for instance when I finished in 2013, the market was not very great. It took me 4.5 years until I landed my first airline job, which btw was paid horrible in my first season. Only my second summer season was paid kinda normal.

Then moved on to another airline. The Covid hit, BAM, 2 years at home. Doing all kinds of Odd Jobs just to survive.

Now almost 2 years on the line in my present company, doing long haul. Im end 30s.

Make a list of Pros and Cons.
What does the training costs?
USA and then conversion to EASA?
Hour Building cheap by buying a participation in an Aircraft? This way you can do cheaper hr building.
Check it out maybe in Paluknys.
Contact Iron Wolf Pilot. He is known there.

Read through the Topics here on Pprune, maybe Lietuva has a Forum just like Pprune as well. Here you can discuss in your own Language.

Sekmes 😉 If you really want it, there is NO limit.

A friend of mine is also B1 B2 engineer, is now FO in a known LoCo in Europe.

Keep us posted.

Nice one!!😀

Have you been in Lithuania?

Thanks very much for the honest opinion. It is always a good thing to hear what other sees in the situation. Well, everyone of us would love to get the highest rating, but you have to always see the reality. For me personally, I will be happy by accomplishing the long, hard but enjoyable road to the goal. Of course I am thinking about Ryanair or Wizzair, but it will depends on the current situation. We have there local companies as well, like Avion Express, GetJet and etc, they are the option, but priority would be the low cost due to hours you can make annually.

Agree with your opinion, there are plenty of stuff in aviation, me personally started to work as a 737 mechanic and right now I am in the management position with responsibility of various projects, but the dream always stalking me 😀 When I finished my PPL, I told to myself that its going to be the thing, when I am going to an airfield, renting a Cessna and enjoying it as a hobby. Of course its a lot of fun, but deep in heart, you want more. That’s why I made my decision to continue towards it. Worst case scenario, I can end as FI which is not bad to be honest.

Of course will keep you posted! And also, if you have a chance to visit Lithuania again, let me know! 😉

Have a good one!!

The answer is No. Please read the Stickies.

Labas Rytas,

Yeah I did my Integrated training in BAA. I was in the very first group in 2011.

So stayed like 2 years in Lietuva 😄.

Also flew in GetJet.

There are some good options, there especially as you are a local and have your background in Aviation. Especially the technical part.

Geras dienos 😉.

Good morning!

Nice one! Hope you enjoyed it

Take care and good luck!

Thanks for your feedback!

You are welcome 😃.

Yeah had a great time. Also in Salento 😆.

Lithuania was the best time of my life to be honest 😃.

BAA as a School, would not say they are the best. You can find enough info about them here on Pprune.

It was good until Indre left.

Check AirHub Flight School.

how is it going now?

[QUOTE=Zeky;9879122]Hello,
I believe everything you said. I am 41 and I have decided to stay 'safe'. I am not doing it (but still crazy about it).
I’m still here seven years later, age almost 48. Today I am thinking why didn’t I??? But it’s ok!

My 20-year-old daughter is about to start her ATPLs in September. She followed my dream and decided to be a pilot! She realised it was the best career for her after all. I am enjoying her progress and we talk planes all day long…. It’s meant to be this way!

sorted with a Class 2 with the CAA for review and hopeful upgrade to Class 1 in July, keeping fingers crossed and starting hours building now. ATPL theory next once Class 1 cleared

I have a had colleague who quit his job at the age of 42 in order to start pilot training... Now he has completed it and soon starts flying for a corporate jet airline! It might not ever be too late...!

For me, 42, the main barrier is the funding. I cannot afford to fund myself an ATPL. Do anyone know about companies hiring over 40s with full paid training?

By 'cannot' do you mean 'do not want to save and make the necessary sacrifices'..?

Hi there,I have worked in the construction/civil engineering industry for the last 25 years,my body has taken the toll over the years of construction,my mind is also fed up with the same.
I am considering pursuing this career I just don't know the cons-apart for approaching this at a very late stage(age related).
Can anyone please let me know if I am dreaming the impossible or are there other people that have been in my shoes/ what are the pros and cons being a pilot...
Many thanks in advance

Welcome Adi,

Our moderation team may select a more appropriate forum for your question, but for now, we'll let it rest here for those who might offer an opinion.

My thoughts; It's a large investment in training, so be ready to fund that. Before making that investment in yourself, make sure your medical fitness is good, and likely to stay that way. It's bad, when you make that investment in training, then suffer a medical problem which sidelines you from flying. Then consider how (where) to undertake initial training and skill building, which you have to fund, and possible early experience building jobs to get where you ultimately want to be. One wise addition to initial flight training is to spend as much time "hanging around" the airport doing the dirty jobs with airplanes, just to get to know the airplanes, and get to be known by the local airplane maintainers and owners. There's lots to be learned on the sidelines too, if you invest the time. There certainly is a growing worldwide need for pilots, so it's worth consideration if all of the other factors line up for you.

Good luck!

Best of luck to you. Wise words from Dar about the financial risks coupled to health concerns without a cushion behind you. It helps if you have an academic background to get through the ATP, exams just get harder as you get older.

Most majors use an “age commensurate with experience” after a spate of fatal accidents involving those late into aviation culminating in the Colgan crash. There is also the why now? Question.

On completion of your training, you will not be getting a rock star salary and with less than 20 years to retirement will have to progress quickly. But best of luck.

You do not say, but do you hold any flying qualification - a private pilots licence for example?
Beause if you do not, then how do you know you will even like flying?

What is the main reason you want to do it?

First and most important question: why are you thinking about becoming a professional pilot?
Let’s take it from there.

I always wanted to be a pilot, but eventually started late training as a pilot at Cranwell aged 31. Finished my RAF career as a Tornado pilot instructor, and my later civilian career as a 777 Captain.
so never give up! As another has said, training as a pilot is very expensive and health issues can make it difficult later in life. Lots to think about!
A friend tried and gave up on the self funded route but is now a very happy cabin crew member on a major airline having started at age 64!