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The perpetual 'Am I too old?' thread

Old 10th Jul 2019, 14:01
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Originally Posted by topgunT23
Cheers youngretired
Can anyone help with quick mental maths techniques for the likes of the tests? i.e. A man exchanges 368 pounds for dollars at an exchange rate of 1 pound=1:72 dollars. How many dollars does he get in return? (answer to the nearest dollar)

If you travel 1248 miles, how much fuel will you need if you burn 4500 kgs per hour and are travelling at 72O mph?;
A 737 flies 930 miles in 75 minutes. How many miles does it fly in 4 hours 45 minutes assuming as constant speed?
If an aircraft departed an airfield and headed directly south for 16 miles and then turned onto a heading of 27O degrees for 12 minutes at an average speed of 80 miles per hour, how many miles is it (in a straight line) from its original destination?
How many nautical miles can an aircraft travel if it is carrying 288O kgs of fuel and burns 240 kgs an hour averaging a speed of 375 knots?

This sort of thing. It's up there but a bit cloudy after not using it for so long, so any quick help or poke in the right direction, as the topic has no doubt been covered on here before, would be greatly appreciated. Don't mean to hijack the post. If I need to ask elsewhere or start a new thread, please let me know.

Ifyou can get 1.72 bucks to the pound. F..k flying. Get a job at Goldman’s ! 😉
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Old 11th Jul 2019, 14:53
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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?
Do it do it do it! I can imagine how excited your wife and kids are. That's all the support you need. 32 is young. I'm about to turn 26, get my Class 1 and then start my PPL. The aim is to get into an airliner cockpit like you. First of all the best advice I can give you is if you don't yet have your Class 1, get it immediately. It'll be your biggest hurdle if you already have (or will gradually get) the funds you need.

Theory is not easy but it's not rocket science at the same time. Hundreds of thousands of people have done it, and they're not all smarter or more hardworking than you are surely? If you put your head down and read/study, you'll be fine.

If I were you I wouldn't worry about age, difficulty, support, etc. I would just make sure that I'm ready for the sacrifices that come with a career like this, i.e. the lack of a high salary (at least to start with), potentially moving around my family, etc. If you and your family have considered this and are happy with it, GO FOR IT!
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Old 23rd Jul 2019, 23:29
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Too old..??

Here you go... I'm 52 and trying to get my PPL.
Am I too old to think about making a career out of flying? My wife isn't too happy about the idea..
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Old 27th Jul 2019, 12:53
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49 and three-quarters

Just a message for those who are not sure of realistic upper age limits: Last week at the age of 49 and 3/4 I was offered sponsorship for the Generation easyJet scheme at CAE. By the time I start I'll be 50. All I can say was that I never gave up trying and it shows that easyJet will be an outstanding company to work for.
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Old 27th Jul 2019, 19:11
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Originally Posted by Donegal
Here you go... I'm 52 and trying to get my PPL.
Am I too old to think about making a career out of flying? My wife isn't too happy about the idea..
Depends what you want to do, airlines I doubt very much. Even if you would be able to get a job, including training and time before you would get a ok salary / pay from the time you find a job would at least take up to 6 - 8 years, and you will be close to retirement by that time.

I do know few guys your age gone and worked as FI, financially will probably not be that rewarding, but it is something you could do part time if you have another job, if you just wish to fly. If you have realistic goals than you will need to review if you believe it's worth it.
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Old 27th Jul 2019, 19:18
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Originally Posted by dobbiej
Just a message for those who are not sure of realistic upper age limits: Last week at the age of 49 and 3/4 I was offered sponsorship for the Generation easyJet scheme at CAE. By the time I start I'll be 50. All I can say was that I never gave up trying and it shows that easyJet will be an outstanding company to work for.
Sure, however the question is if it is a smart move to invest so much money, with so few years to get any return for it. It will be 5 - 6 years if not more, to get good earnings. That leaves you less than 8 - 9 years to make back your investment before it's game over. I would say unless you don't really need the £125.000 , and you have loads of excess cash, it would be madness to start so late in your career.
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Old 27th Jul 2019, 21:00
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Originally Posted by 2unlimited
Sure, however the question is if it is a smart move to invest so much money, with so few years to get any return for it. It will be 5 - 6 years if not more, to get good earnings. That leaves you less than 8 - 9 years to make back your investment before it's game over. I would say unless you don't really need the £125.000 , and you have loads of excess cash, it would be madness to start so late in your career.
I get what you say but my point is nothing about money, it's about being the oldest cadet in Europe and as such I'm very proud👍
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Old 27th Jul 2019, 22:25
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Originally Posted by dobbiej
Just a message for those who are not sure of realistic upper age limits: Last week at the age of 49 and 3/4 I was offered sponsorship for the Generation easyJet scheme at CAE. By the time I start I'll be 50. All I can say was that I never gave up trying and it shows that easyJet will be an outstanding company to work for.
That's fantastic news,a massive congratulations to you and your determination. That news gives me a little confidence to start again. I've over a 100 hours flown mind you that was years and years ago... but tomorrow I'm starting all over again and getting my first flying lesson in almost two decades and going to start my PPL again.
I'll see how that goes, and if all goes well i might just go for me APTL..
I'm delighted for you dude, congratulations once again.
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Old 27th Jul 2019, 22:30
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Originally Posted by 2unlimited
Depends what you want to do, airlines I doubt very much. Even if you would be able to get a job, including training and time before you would get a ok salary / pay from the time you find a job would at least take up to 6 - 8 years, and you will be close to retirement by that time.

I do know few guys your age gone and worked as FI, financially will probably not be that rewarding, but it is something you could do part time if you have another job, if you just wish to fly. If you have realistic goals than you will need to review if you believe it's worth it.
Yea I hear ya and thanks for your advice.. and it's all probably true. I know what you're saying is probably realistic but I'm going to start my PPL (again) tomorrow and see how that goes.
Thanks again for your advice 👍.
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Old 28th Jul 2019, 01:10
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Originally Posted by 2unlimited
Sure, however the question is if it is a smart move to invest so much money, with so few years to get any return for it. It will be 5 - 6 years if not more, to get good earnings. That leaves you less than 8 - 9 years to make back your investment before it's game over. I would say unless you don't really need the £125.000 , and you have loads of excess cash, it would be madness to start so late in your career.
Will you ever be able to live with the regret of not chasing the dream. We don't get out alive, and you can't take the cash with you.
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Old 28th Jul 2019, 08:43
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[QUOTE=dobbiej;10529714]
Just a message for those who are not sure of realistic upper age limits: Last week at the age of 49 and 3/4 I was offered sponsorship for the Generation easyJet scheme at CAE. By the time I start I'll be 50. All I can say was that I never gave up trying and it shows that easyJet will be an outstanding company to work for.
[/QUOTE

that is brilliant congratulations, Do you mind telling us what you did previously career wise an what you have done that helped you to be successful in being offered the place. Have you applied in the past?
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Old 28th Jul 2019, 13:07
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Originally Posted by JumpSeat_M
Will you ever be able to live with the regret of not chasing the dream. We don't get out alive, and you can't take the cash with you.
Depends on your circumstances, if you you have family or not, if you are going to put yourself into massive debs or not.

Everyone has special circumstances. Personally if I was close to 50 starting it, I would say don't do it unless you don't mind seeing anything of your £125.000. Risks far outweigh the rewards at this stage. Getting a job, medical etc.
However if 125.000 is something that will not effect your life, than why not, but if it does, think very hard before you start.
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Old 31st Jul 2019, 20:21
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Originally Posted by 2unlimited
If you pass the selection, they are not allowed to discriminate because of your age, so that's fair enough. However it's also about that you have the ability, and probably better ability to pay the £125.000 required to do the course, as the two criteria goes hand in hand. But is it a wise move? All depends on your personal circumstances. I would say it's nuts if you have family to take care of and this is your savings or it will put anything you have at risk. It took me 10 years before I could make a living wage with a large airline, and I started when I was 38.

you say you started at 38, what did you do previously if you don’t mind me asking. What was your reason for starting at 38? Thanks
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Old 5th Aug 2019, 01:27
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Thumbs up Legend

Originally Posted by dobbiej
Just a message for those who are not sure of realistic upper age limits: Last week at the age of 49 and 3/4 I was offered sponsorship for the Generation easyJet scheme at CAE. By the time I start I'll be 50. All I can say was that I never gave up trying and it shows that easyJet will be an outstanding company to work for.
Dobbiej - congratulations and well done (from a 42 yo with 230 TT / PPL thinking why haven't I done this). Please update us on your progress from time to time and best of luck.

Last edited by PiperTyro; 5th Aug 2019 at 04:39. Reason: error
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Old 11th Aug 2019, 07:21
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Originally Posted by PiperTyro
Dobbiej - congratulations and well done (from a 42 yo with 230 TT / PPL thinking why haven't I done this). Please update us on your progress from time to time and best of luck.
Will do😀 Firstly I've got to wait for a course start date; going to be a few months waiting for various reasons and even though it's CAE Oxford, ground school could be Madrid, which I'd love👍
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Old 13th Aug 2019, 11:52
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Originally Posted by dobbiej

I get what you say but my point is nothing about money, it's about being the oldest cadet in Europe and as such I'm very proud👍
Proud you should be.
Well done
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Old 14th Aug 2019, 16:11
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OK here goes...

Pushing 58 next month and staring at the imminent rocking chair has induced last-chance panic... UK PPL (converting to EASA), FAA CPL/ME/IR 500 hours or so logged, non commercial and very little recent experience apart from a UK PPL(G) completed last year .. failed CAA class 1 medical over 20 years ago which ended my aspirations for the airlines but situation now means I have a chance of passing it now, I have an understanding wife who will support me and some cash in the bank, probably enough for the EASA CPL/ME/IR, currently live in the Caribbean with easy access to Florida. I had a recent conversation with a UK flight school owner who convinced me if I had an FI rating he would hire me.. so maybe, just maybe this could be my last chance to get a flying job; so just maybe I should dump the well payed corporate chains for an FI, never to fly the big stuff, but at least to end my working life in an aircraft..

Honestly, am I too old?
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Old 16th Aug 2019, 05:10
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Originally Posted by TangoXray
Pushing 58 next month and staring at the imminent rocking chair has induced last-chance panic
...
so just maybe I should dump the well payed corporate chains for an FI, never to fly the big stuff, but at least to end my working life in an aircraft..
Honestly, am I too old?
I guess the question is not so much "are you too old?"... but more "what do you want to get out of it?". I don't see age as being a real issue if you are just going to go the FI route. Especially, if you can have a "serious" talk with that flight school owner about getting employment once qualified... perhaps offer to do all the (re)training required to get your FI rating throught their school?

Anyway, as I see it, your main issue is really "ROI"... As you yourself have already indicated, flying "The Big Stuff"™ isn't really going to be an option. So, your chances of recouping the costs involved of getting your quals is going to be fairly minimal. While you might have the cash to be able to do this now, where is that going to leave you for your inevitable retirement if you don't make it back through your wages/salary as an FI (assuming you can get employment)?

If the desire is simply to fly and your corporate chains are "well paid" enough... have you considered simply sticking with that and using the extra cash to fund a lifestyle where you get to fly "what you want, when you want" by adding an MEIR to your existing licence? I'm not overly familiar with the UK/EU scene, but I assume that as a private pilot you can get an IR and a ME rating on a PPL? Perhaps even a share in a warbird syndicate or something?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it should be a hard no... but that you need to consider the ramifications of sinking all your cash reserves into this endeavour, as, unfortunately, you don't have the luxury of another 20-30 years to "rebuild" if it doesn't pan out.
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Old 15th Nov 2019, 12:48
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Brachetta;

Wish you good luck. You can and you will attain your goal. Stay motivated. Try to visualize yourself as if you are a Captain in you favorite airline. You will see a miracle.
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Old 3rd Feb 2020, 09:55
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First time Commercial Pilot at age 48 - Looking for insights and advice, please.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some insights and advice.

I am considering taking on the Integrated training program (FATPL with one of the Irish flight training academys). I will be 48 when I complete the program.

I would very much appreciate any insights or advice you would offer as to a future career as a commerical pilot within the aviation industry.

All advice is welcome.

Thank you.

Last edited by FATPLat48; 3rd Feb 2020 at 13:50.
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