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The perpetual 'Am I too old?' thread

Old 4th Feb 2019, 10:58
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UK, changing careers to become a pilot.

Hey guys,

I'm interested in hearing some thoughts on my situation. I have always wanted to become a pilot but due to financial reasons I never managed to, I managed to get a good degree and a good job in tech. I'm 29 now and live in the UK with some responsibilities (house+married), unfortunately, I didn't manage to save enough to cover my training costs and will be looking for a loan to cover the cost of obtaining the majority of hours.

I'm interested in hearing about the best path to becoming a commercial pilot (Airliners) in the UK, if it's too late for someone in his late 20's and more information on the cost and financials to get a position in an airline.

Thank you!
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Old 20th Feb 2019, 20:03
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I understand that Skyborne at Gloucester has a finance programme. Worth taking a look at their website.

29 is definitely NOT too old, not with the current hiring boom, but it can't last forever so best to get a move on.
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Old 12th Mar 2019, 13:56
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Hello everyone...

I might fit in well into this long-running thread, as I am 34 now, but want to become a pilot. I'm based in Germany/EU, so my questions are aimed at people who can judge what's going on in this part of the world...

Up until this month I was the manager and owner of a mid-sized company, which had no connection to aviation at all. Also I don't own a PPL so far. Now I have sold my company and will be able to do whatever I want, at least financially.

1) I guess I am too old for signing up for a cadet program from one of the airlines (like LH groups MPL program), or do you think there are chances of me still being accepted at this age?

2) But even if I am too old for the cadet programs with the airlines, I should be able to make the ATPL privately, and pay for it myself, too. Is there anything which could prevent me from doing so?

3) Are there any flight schools you could suggest me looking at in Germany, or over all the EU? (At least as English and German are sufficient as languages.)

4) If I should be succesful accquiring the ATPL, how will my future look like? I think there are many airlines right now taking you without a typerating? But also many who offer you a job where you have to pay for the type-rating right? Do these airlines take you with a privately funded ATPL and not much experience (except for the one from making the ATPL)?

Many questions, I know, but I hope you can answer some for me. I find that there are a lot of informations available for young people just out of school and how they can apply to the cadet-programs, but not much for older people like me, 15 years after school ended. I have already looked into the tests for physcis, maths and English and while they are challenging, they should be doable for me. I also finished a check with a flight doctor, who told me I would easily pass the class 1 medical. So for me I'm now interested in the practical stuff, where to start and what to avoid...

Thanks in advance for your answers,
ChangeNow
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Old 18th Mar 2019, 12:56
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Hey! I'm also 29 and currently saving up money for flight school. Been asking myself the same questions (not married though so I dont have that "responsibility"). How far have you come? I'm Swedish but looking into getting my license in Canada and work there.
Good luck!!!

Last edited by miramis; 24th Mar 2019 at 11:09.
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Old 31st Mar 2019, 14:06
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ATPL Study / Tips / Structure / Do's & Don't's

Hi All,

It's my first post on here so apologies if this topic has been covered before. I'll be extremely grateful for any feedback received!

So, I'm starting my ATPL distance learning in a month's time and I'm wondering what tips both past or present students found helped them. Annoyingly, my recent research has found so many conflicting responses from others to a point that I'm very confused as to what the best method is. Now I know everyone is different in terms of what way they retain information, but one of the biggest decisions I have to make is whether or not I focus on the questions banks more so than the books. In my opinion, time is against me so I do not want to start on the wrong foot, nor waste valuable time. I'm at the moment I'm 32, 33 in December, a current PPL holder with NR, 60hrs in the book, the plan is to complete the ATPL's by this time next year or the latest May 2020 just before I travel to Poland in June 2020 for my MEP/MEIR/CPL.

I'm completely aware that the ATPL's are on another level from what I've been through, I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone that has a single positive thing to say about the syllabus, structure or volume, in my head I'm mentality prepared for meltdown and prepped to have no life for the duration of the time I'm studying, so I really want to make sure I start out doing it right...it's there is such a thing! If possible, can any of you give me advice on what you found helped you during your study or even better, changes you made that worked better from when you sat your first exams, I'd love to hear your study structure, do's & don't's, tips, changes you made?

Thanks a million!!
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Old 22nd Apr 2019, 11:39
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Hi, everyone!

I'm 47 years old and a long time dreamer of aviation. Unfortunately financial costs have kept me away from a career in this business all my life. I'm now at a point in life where I think I either do something about flying now or just forget about it for ever.

Financial costs are still a problem for me. However, I should be able to pay for a PPL right now. My question is if it is realistic to think that at this age I might still get some form of pay in aviation in the future. I know a PPL doesn't allow getting paid for flying. I'm asking about any possible qualifications after the PPL and realistic possibilities of getting jobs after any further investment after the PPL. I would be happy teaching, flying banners, towing or any other jobs as long as it meant flying :-) I don't have the ambition of working in an airline anymore.

I live in the EU so I'm looking for opinions of people who know the european reality. I've already researched extensively all possible further certifications and costs and that's why I'm asking about market job reality for someone starting at this age.

Thank you all for taking your time with my query.
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Old 23rd Apr 2019, 09:03
  #847 (permalink)  
 
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Job market reality for old wannabe

Hi, everyone!

I'm 47 years old and a long time dreamer of aviation. Unfortunately financial costs have kept me away from a career in this business all my life. I'm now at a point in life where I think I either do something about flying now or just forget about it for ever.

Financial costs are still a problem for me. However, I should be able to pay for a PPL right now. My question is if it is realistic to think that at this age I might still get some form of pay in aviation in the future. I know a PPL doesn't allow getting paid for flying. I'm asking about any possible qualifications after the PPL and realistic possibilities of getting jobs after any further investment after the PPL. I would be happy teaching, flying banners, towing or any other jobs as long as it meant flying :-) I don't have the ambition of working in an airline anymore.

I live in the EU so I'm looking for opinions of people who know the european reality. I've already researched extensively all possible further certifications and costs and that's why I'm asking about job market reality for someone starting at this age.

Thank you all for taking your time with my query.
Mar100 is offline  
Old 24th Apr 2019, 17:28
  #848 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by ImFlyingHigh
Hi All,

It's my first post on here so apologies if this topic has been covered before. I'll be extremely grateful for any feedback received!

So, I'm starting my ATPL distance learning in a month's time and I'm wondering what tips both past or present students found helped them. Annoyingly, my recent research has found so many conflicting responses from others to a point that I'm very confused as to what the best method is. Now I know everyone is different in terms of what way they retain information, but one of the biggest decisions I have to make is whether or not I focus on the questions banks more so than the books. In my opinion, time is against me so I do not want to start on the wrong foot, nor waste valuable time. I'm at the moment I'm 32, 33 in December, a current PPL holder with NR, 60hrs in the book, the plan is to complete the ATPL's by this time next year or the latest May 2020 just before I travel to Poland in June 2020 for my MEP/MEIR/CPL.

I'm completely aware that the ATPL's are on another level from what I've been through, I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone that has a single positive thing to say about the syllabus, structure or volume, in my head I'm mentality prepared for meltdown and prepped to have no life for the duration of the time I'm studying, so I really want to make sure I start out doing it right...it's there is such a thing! If possible, can any of you give me advice on what you found helped you during your study or even better, changes you made that worked better from when you sat your first exams, I'd love to hear your study structure, do's & don't's, tips, changes you made?

Thanks a million!!
Hi,

Similar profile here, i'm 30, finishing my PPL in France and expect to go in Poland or maybe another contry next year for CPL IR ME if I finish ATPL in time. I'm not of much help for you since I haven't started ATPL, but from what I've understood, if you want to be efficient, you should read the material to understand but not waste too much time on it and hit the question bank as quickly as you can since you'll normally have the same questions at the exam. Also hitting the question bank can show you where you need to study a bit more. Just my 2cts, as I have not started yet ATPL Theory but I'll soon.
One question, if you are going to Poland, is it Bartolini ?
Do you know if they are booked for 2020 or if there is still a slot avaliable before 2021 (I need to finish my PPL before I can reserve a slot, but I fear it's already too late for 2020) ?
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Old 25th Apr 2019, 15:58
  #849 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by jackrabbitslim7
Hi,

Similar profile here, i'm 30, finishing my PPL in France and expect to go in Poland or maybe another contry next year for CPL IR ME if I finish ATPL in time. I'm not of much help for you since I haven't started ATPL, but from what I've understood, if you want to be efficient, you should read the material to understand but not waste too much time on it and hit the question bank as quickly as you can since you'll normally have the same questions at the exam. Also hitting the question bank can show you where you need to study a bit more. Just my 2cts, as I have not started yet ATPL Theory but I'll soon.
One question, if you are going to Poland, is it Bartolini ?
Do you know if they are booked for 2020 or if there is still a slot avaliable before 2021 (I need to finish my PPL before I can reserve a slot, but I fear it's already too late for 2020) ?
If you already have your PPL, start ATPL ground school as soon as you can because you have to spend certain period on distance education system (hours) plus certain ground school time (5 months for Hungarian GSs for example).
Also, there are more than 50 ATOs in Poland.
Bartolini is -almost- most famous of them. There are many cheaper schools out there. Make list, plan a trip and visit couple of them. ATOs in Poland are evolving -fastly- different states right now as I've seen some. You may find yourself in a very good ATO but also has very bad reputation online and vice versa.
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Old 28th Apr 2019, 03:15
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Hello there!

Originally Posted by Lightheart
I'm 40. Have no family/children (yet.) or mortgage (had one) to concern myself with.

At 37 I started my flight training. When I went for my Class 1 medical the Spanish psychologist asked me "What the hell are you doing becoming a pilot at your age?"

I asked him who he was to tell me what I could or couldn't do. He didn't reply.

Got my FAA and JAA licences. Was away from my partner for 1.5 years and had to move back with my parents for a year. But I finally got there.

Flown commercially in USA/Carib (yes, paid to do a First Officer Programme.) So what! You do what you gotta do to get on in life. It was a strategy to overcome the age aspect. It worked. After that I made a vow never to pay for training again. And I haven't.

On returning to Europe was offered a job in the UK before even had my licence in my hand.

Left that job to return to Spain (for personal reasons). A market where aviation is not strong. "Don't do it!" people in Spain with more hours than me said.

If you're on a desert island, you have a choice. Survive or not. It is your choice. You decide what you want to manifest in your life.

So on arriving back in Spain I boarded planes, trains, cars, got on my bike and visited all aviation companies I thought I could get into. I got two job offers in 6 weeks!

Now I currently have two types current on my licence. I didn't pay for the rating either!

I'm living in a great part of the word, even though I'm in rented accommodation and I'm earning a third of what I used to earn. But hey, I know that as soon as I get to 1500 hours a lot more doors will open. My life has had many changes.

If you don't like change, don't take the plunge. But if you're like me, you now that in life change is inevitable. You want to get there no matter what the nay sayers say. You have to be FOCUSED, DISCIPLINED and SEE yourself there.

There's only so much anaylsis you can do. The fear part is not knowing how things will turn out. That's normal. But if you have faith, are confident in yourself and know how to listen to that voice in your soul, you'll know what to do.

Don't give away your power. Hope this has been of help.
Really Happy to read these, I'm 27 right now and I'm working in my budget to go away and start flying, well my situation it's different I'm at the Cayman Islands but I'm from Honduras and sad to say where I'm right now it's no flying schools around and to go away from the Island I need to have my budget ready, sad to say but I have to work around three years to get there, saying these I have two options I have my mom in Spain Madrid and I will like to know which school you advise to asist and get all the licenses I did already my search and it's kind expensive well like everwhever, and my second option it's Canada I found these school name Langley school and I'm interested in these I love Canada , but In Spain I have my Family so what do you advise from your experience!! I will be happy to hear from you!

​​​​​Kind regards! Safe landings 🛬
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Old 28th Apr 2019, 03:22
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Hello there!

Originally Posted by merlinn
Slight topic change here, but I notice some of the first threads were back in 2002! Would love to here from anyone that made it and stuck to their guns
These it's amazing, 2019 and I'm just get here and read from everyone, and hey I'm 27 and I'm working hard to get there I will like to hear if you get there already!!
Kind Regards safe landings! 🛬
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Old 8th May 2019, 09:10
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Nowadays people normally start their training even on their 40s and they get a job...i would not be too much worried.
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Old 8th May 2019, 09:20
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It does get a lot harder when you reach late 30's and 40's but it's not impossible, I wouldn't go all in on aviation at that age if you don't have a sound backup plan if you don't get a job
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Old 26th May 2019, 14:33
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Originally Posted by Outofnowhere
Hello there,
I was hoping for some guidance here. I am 37, based in Dubai for a full time Job. To be able to finance myself, I am considering the modular distant learning route. All support and guidance welcomed on the best academies to contact for an EASA fATPL.
Hi, am living in Dubai too and looking to do my ATPL. currently doing my PPL. Happy to chat through how am looking to do it. Cheers Alex
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Old 28th May 2019, 11:37
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Originally Posted by Maxtakeoff
Hi, am living in Dubai too and looking to do my ATPL. currently doing my PPL. Happy to chat through how am looking to do it. Cheers Alex
That makes three of us then....also in Dubai. Aiming to finish my PPL back in the UK this summer then not quite sure how to play it....whether to start ATPL theory straightaway, or focus on earning decent money here for a couple more years to fund a full time modular course. I'm 34 so don't want to hang around too much. The biggest practical issue here is I'd like to do some hour building to at least keep PPL skills ticking over. GA options seem very limited in the UAE though. Would be interested to hear about your approach.
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Old 29th May 2019, 09:35
  #856 (permalink)  

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Mar100
Bom dia. It depends on what you're looking for WRT a flying job. I see you're realistic enough to know that an airline job is probably out of reach.
If you're thinking about flying on the weekends while keeping your day job, then a CPL is realistic. In all seriousness, depending on what you spend, you probably won't earn the money back you'll spend but you will get some money to fly. I would avoid any big "sausage factory" schools out there. They aren't interested in you.
I would look up any banner towing operations in Lisbon or Faro and ask them what they're looking for in a pilot. Good chance is that you'll need a tail wheel endorsement or something like that.
Instructing is an option as well.
First of all, get your health checked to a Class 1 standard. (Hearing, eye sight, diabetes, blood pressure etc).
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Old 3rd Jul 2019, 22:32
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CPL Theory SOS!!!

Someone please help me!
The CPL Theory is doing my head in. I passed 5 of the exams. I failed performance twice. Now I'm gun-shy and my exams are expiring and I just can't seem to get the confidence to go back.
I'm 36 and getting way too old to be starting a career.
Help me I'm losing my #$&ing mind.
Lance.
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Old 4th Jul 2019, 09:35
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Originally Posted by Stal83
Someone please help me!
The CPL Theory is doing my head in. I passed 5 of the exams. I failed performance twice. Now I'm gun-shy and my exams are expiring and I just can't seem to get the confidence to go back.
I'm 36 and getting way too old to be starting a career.
Help me I'm losing my #$&ing mind.
Lance.
Performance will come little bit harder at this stage (I assume the first 5 was air law, ops, var/ifr etc.)
Think this work like a stairway. Subjects seems are completely different but actually their levels are preparing you to take the next step.
We hear a lot of students fails once or twice if they take a difficult exam at this early stages.
Please write the exams you passed already and I'll suggest a plan for you to prepare yourself for the next session.
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Old 10th Jul 2019, 12:00
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I am 32 with a PPL, Night qualification and around 177 hours total time. I would like to go commercial but feeling a bit stuck and unsure if its a dream or reality at 32. I need to complete the ATPL theory still so this would be the next step, I just want to make sure the funds are in place for the CPL and IR etc. I have a supportive wife and children and they want me to go for it. It all seems overwhelming now and I am wondering if its too late to go for it. I cant really explain the feeling but it makes me feel down wondering if that dream job is slipping away.I have never set a goal on aircraft type or dream airline I just want to fly for a career and keep an open mind with any opportunities. I think I just need that shove to make the jump and go for it. Can anyone offer me some words of wisdom and advice?
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Old 10th Jul 2019, 12:29
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Originally Posted by Airlinepilot1687
I am 32 with a PPL, Night qualification and around 177 hours total time. I would like to go commercial but feeling a bit stuck and unsure if its a dream or reality at 32. I need to complete the ATPL theory still so this would be the next step, I just want to make sure the funds are in place for the CPL and IR etc. I have a supportive wife and children and they want me to go for it. It all seems overwhelming now and I am wondering if its too late to go for it. I cant really explain the feeling but it makes me feel down wondering if that dream job is slipping away.I have never set a goal on aircraft type or dream airline I just want to fly for a career and keep an open mind with any opportunities. I think I just need that shove to make the jump and go for it. Can anyone offer me some words of wisdom and advice?
At 32 its not to late, so that's the easy part.
Wife, Children, Money etc. that's the hard part always.

This is brutal and honest, in your circumstances you need to know what you are going into. Besides the money:
1. Do you have a backup plan if you don't get work straight away?
2. Can you survive while looking for work, do you have other "safe" income source that will cover you and your family?
3. Are you willing to re-locate to find work, and with this not just within the UK, but anywhere in Europe? You are not likely to find your first job on your doorstep.
(either commuting, being away for long stretches and being home few days, or move with entire family?)
4. Can you live / survive on a pilots salary? (£1700 - £2200 a month for 4 - 5 years?)
(does your wife have extra income, do you have any extra income or can you manage on this)

It does get better after a while, but at least 3 years before you will see improvements, and most likely 4 - 5 to be honest. Because your first job will probably not be a place you want to stay for long, if you have to commute or move somewhere you don't like, so when you have experience and swap jobs, you start again at the bottom with many companies.

Feel free to PM if you want more specific advice.
It does depend on your circumstances, and it's not impossible, and you are definitely not to old, just go into with your eyes wide open. I know guys much older than you, and they made it. However if I was you I would get on to it now rather sooner than later.
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