Genghis the Engineer

Just look at Brian May - music career petered out, went back to Astrophysics. Win-Win !

G

The500man

Absolutely priceless!

downwind24

Did Brian May have a music career ??

high_light

Another similar situation for me - i'm 42 so rather old to be changing career. However I was wondering if my current career will benefit and compensate slightly for my age?
I'm a police officer and work at a Police Air Support Unit, as an observer. My unit is one of the units earmarked to be closed next year which is why i'm considering the move.
I was hoping the experience of working as part of a crew in police air operations may help? Any thoughts appreciated.

4015

high_light

I can't say for certain, but here are my observations (no pun intended)

You are aware of MCC factors and how they can affect efficient operation of an aircraft. You've probably got a fair few contacts, and in aviation networking is everything as far as I can see.

But that's about it (it is late, so I may be missing some fundamental points). The difference between Police chopper work and flying the big jets is huge. You'll definitely have something to talk about at interview however!

What licence are you going for, (A) or (H)? Where do you want to end up? What are your aims for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years?

Just my (tired) tuppence worth, I am by no means an expert. But if you want something enough, what's to stop you getting it?

4015

dmjs15

Stats: 45 years old, FAA CFI/CFII/MEI, 850 hours, but only 10 hours flown (per year) and no instruction given for the past 8 years.

So, before I invest in getting some recent hours and any Bridge or Fast Track programs, does anybody have any thoughts on the Regionals and if the would hire me at my age (USA or any other country). I know many Majors around the world would not consider a candidate at my age as a new recruit.

hollingworthp

Shall we just say Yes to save you having to look through the 100's of posts on here all asking the same question?

Here is a small snippet from the sticky post above:

Aussiestinger

Hi,

I'm currently 29 and considering a change in profession, I wanted to see at my age, whether or not it would be too late to consider a move into the commercial world of piloting. Although it’s possible that I'm not too late, I'm making an uneducated guess there would be a ceiling of the type of work and or aircraft that I would be capable of flying given my starting age. I'm hoping someone on here would be able to clarify this, so as I can make an educated decision about my next step.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

zondaracer

You make 29 sound so old. You are still young enough to get in the game without a ceiling on this career. You still have over 30 years if you start now.

ford cortina

I started at 33, first job at 37 on B737 Classic and NG.
Lots of friends well in to their 30's and even 40's with Jet aircraft jobs.
BTW we are all in JAA land

Aussiestinger

I can't begin to thank you enough! I had asked a South African pilot here in Afghanistan who was adamant I was too old to start a career in aviation. I guess the next step is the right school, thanks again for the feedback!

captainsuperstorm

age is not the probleme these days, the problem is to get enough cash to pay for line training and make a profession where you will never be paid.

so can you afford a life of rich boys? are you confortable when employers will spit in your face when telling you :" how much do you give me to fly my airbuses?for me you are a sucker"

don't belive all the shit of people who tell you "yeah, can do it, I am now on 737..."

James78Au

Ive just started my training and Im 33 now. I asked a lot people the same question there seems to be a lot of people starting and getting their first jobs in the 30s

Genghis the Engineer

Oh for goodness sake, I was well past 30 before people stopped saying I was too young to be given any real responsibility.

Anybody under 45 now is unlikely to retire below 70 anyhow - don't get caught up in the cobblers cult of youth that pervades the world these days. Sooner or later we'll have a series of "Dobby the over-50 vampire slayer" and it'll all settle down again to a realisation that if you can get the medical, do the job, and have at-least 10 years before mandatory retirement, and you're fine.

G

Mimpe

as long as you handle the study, your age can be a " maturity " advantage. I find guys starting really young can sometimes be a greater risk in terms of safety attitude

built4flying83

i find the older guys get promoted quicker as the bosses feel sympathy for them when paying such low salaries, not so much for the 23yr old punk!
tried any cadetships?

built4flying83

mimpe, regards to your comment about younger guys being a safety issue sometimes, maybe but i have found the opposite to be true. The older guys in a different industry (mining, electrician, mechanic) tend to be abit more gung ho and rough around the edges and less likely to do what they are told when they switch over to aviation

SloppyJoe

Try the cathay cadet scheme, many guys getting into that whilst in their 30s. Good program if you have 0 hours or close to it, not so if you are already on your way to having descent experience.

Just bear in mind that you will be pretty much locked into CX until you are 37-40 living in HKG before you have the experience to go back to Aus. Don't count on a base.

KAG

Becoming a pilot is not that easy, an happy one is even more difficult.
The secret of success doesn't hide in the fact of having 24 or 29 years old.
Age is not a problem, especially 29, you are young. you still have more than 40 years to work. Question shouldn't be about age. It should be about the viability or not to be a pilot for the next 40 years... And here I can see an issue...

YYZ

Loads of info on this subject already, luck plays a large part along with who you know, the industry seems ok at the moment but that can change overnight.
I was 28 when i started and fly a 777 now at the age of 37, it can be done but its a difficult path to follow.

Good luck