30 and going back into it
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 65
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From: Somewhere over the rainbow
I enjoyed your posts Factor.. I'm in a similar position, basically through being a bit of a tool and partying too hard in my early 20's it's taken me ages to get my hours done.. Now I find myself without a degree, working a job I hate to get my MEIR.
I don't have too many regrets though, I feel that once employed and having tasted a job that I absolutely loathe every day to get to where I am I'll value that first flying contract a lot more..
I don't have too many regrets though, I feel that once employed and having tasted a job that I absolutely loathe every day to get to where I am I'll value that first flying contract a lot more..
I'm getting closer to the moment in which I'll take the plunge and quit my current job. I'll start CFI and CFII training sometime in January, so most likely as soon as I get those ratings and after securing my instructor job I'll just bid my current job farewell.
I currently feel like a bird in a cage, but that will come to an end soon.
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: newport
hi ( wow new to this forum stuff) hope someone can supply soem honest advice !!
I had to pullout of a fulltiem triaing course in Jerez 10 years ago (family ill etc) and 42 now/ Still got the desire to do it and just renewed class 1 medical .
I woudl also be giving up work/salary as a surveyor !!!!
I went to the recent Training seminar in london But was advised :-.
Oxford - past 36 yrs old theycould not get me a job anywhere
CtC were a bit less abrupt and advised it was possible to get employment and they had a trainee who was over 40 currently !
(but first child on the way tho and not sure aboutgoing to new zealand for 7 months!!)
The CFI at my local flying school said dont do it full time and do it modular as it leades to same qualification and i can keep working part time!!
and got Gloucester aeros and bristopl ground school nearby
My concern is that it may take longer and i wont be back in the classroom which i think would be better for me!
Could anyone advise if they know of anyone over 40 who has completed fulltime school or done it modular etc ? thanks
I had to pullout of a fulltiem triaing course in Jerez 10 years ago (family ill etc) and 42 now/ Still got the desire to do it and just renewed class 1 medical .
I woudl also be giving up work/salary as a surveyor !!!!
I went to the recent Training seminar in london But was advised :-.
Oxford - past 36 yrs old theycould not get me a job anywhere
CtC were a bit less abrupt and advised it was possible to get employment and they had a trainee who was over 40 currently !
(but first child on the way tho and not sure aboutgoing to new zealand for 7 months!!)
The CFI at my local flying school said dont do it full time and do it modular as it leades to same qualification and i can keep working part time!!
and got Gloucester aeros and bristopl ground school nearby
My concern is that it may take longer and i wont be back in the classroom which i think would be better for me!
Could anyone advise if they know of anyone over 40 who has completed fulltime school or done it modular etc ? thanks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: UK
Cwmnbranman
With some dedication, you can qualify quicker by going modular than you can integrated. But if self study away from a classroom environment is a problem eg Bristol GS etc, then you are reducing your options.
Another question you have to ask yourself is if you are lucky and get a job at some point after qualifying, can you support your family on an annual income that realistically will be circa £15k to £25k? A jet job is unlikely and Ryanair is a no go. What sort of flying job / companies would you target post qualification?
Can you go back to surveying post qualification whilst job hunting?
Another question you have to ask yourself is if you are lucky and get a job at some point after qualifying, can you support your family on an annual income that realistically will be circa £15k to £25k? A jet job is unlikely and Ryanair is a no go. What sort of flying job / companies would you target post qualification?
Can you go back to surveying post qualification whilst job hunting?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: newport
which flight training?
hi ther e
im new to thsi forum thin g
but saw your post
please cna you advis e
as ive ben told be some flying schools that im too old to go to a flight school and wont get any job?
ctc did however diasgree with this ! and my cfi in cardiff advised do it modular save money but also im confuses as aslo then told i stand more chance of job if i do a full residential course!!!
I would be int in heavy jets/OR CORPORATE
is ok ?
many thanks
im new to thsi forum thin g
but saw your post
please cna you advis e
as ive ben told be some flying schools that im too old to go to a flight school and wont get any job?
ctc did however diasgree with this ! and my cfi in cardiff advised do it modular save money but also im confuses as aslo then told i stand more chance of job if i do a full residential course!!!
I would be int in heavy jets/OR CORPORATE
is ok ?
many thanks
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: dhaka
Hi Langeveldt
Same bloody story. Bit of a party animal in my 20s, then saw the harsh part of life, toughened up and am now okay job and cash wise.
Now, the missus doesnt want me to fly, I have the cash to finish my IR and have 4 businesses that are operating successfully....HELL!
Anyway, see you guys up there someday. Thanks for all the good stuff guys. Happy landings.
Same bloody story. Bit of a party animal in my 20s, then saw the harsh part of life, toughened up and am now okay job and cash wise.
Now, the missus doesnt want me to fly, I have the cash to finish my IR and have 4 businesses that are operating successfully....HELL!
Anyway, see you guys up there someday. Thanks for all the good stuff guys. Happy landings.
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere over the rainbow
Finally got the multiengine rating on my license
Ok guys, so just to keep you updated, today I went to my local CAA office and picked up my license with my multiengine rating add on printed on the back of it!
I cant tell you how happy I feel. I'm trying to figure out what to give myself to celebrate!
I cant tell you how happy I feel. I'm trying to figure out what to give myself to celebrate!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere over the rainbow
Going the instructor route
I have decided to go the flight instructor route to build up time and make the career change that I need.
Already paid for the groundschool and I'm reading through the Instructor books to take the exams and then do the right seat hours and the flight instructors practical test.
I'm doing CFI and CFII.
The local flight school will give me a job as an instructor so I'll be able to bid farewell to my current job and focus on my flying career. I'll also be able to build up the time that the airlines require.
It's all happening guys!
Already paid for the groundschool and I'm reading through the Instructor books to take the exams and then do the right seat hours and the flight instructors practical test.
I'm doing CFI and CFII.
The local flight school will give me a job as an instructor so I'll be able to bid farewell to my current job and focus on my flying career. I'll also be able to build up the time that the airlines require.
It's all happening guys!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: UK
Cwmnbranman
I did the ATPL theory part time whilst working two jobs (one full time and the other around 5-10 hours per week). I started studying in my late thirties and completed the whole set start to finish in about 13 months. Clearly this is longer than sitting them full time, but there's no way I can afford to be without an income for 6 months.
It is entirely do-able distance learning, but it isn't easy. I would like to have had the luxury of being able to have the knowledge spoon-fed to me, so if you can afford to do things that way, then go for it. If not, it's not the end of the world; you just have to work that little bit harder.
There's no promise of a job at the end, though, so be sure you really want to do it and don't burn any bridges on the way.
It is entirely do-able distance learning, but it isn't easy. I would like to have had the luxury of being able to have the knowledge spoon-fed to me, so if you can afford to do things that way, then go for it. If not, it's not the end of the world; you just have to work that little bit harder.
There's no promise of a job at the end, though, so be sure you really want to do it and don't burn any bridges on the way.
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Just around the corner
I started my ATPL course in September and there Is a guy in my class who is 32 and has a child, I doubt it can´t get any harder than that, he works at the Portuguese Air Force as the F-16´s chief of maintenance, leaves the hangar just before ATPL classes start (our classes go from 6p.m. to 9p.m.) leaves at 9 o´clock, gets home and still has a child to take care of, goes to sleep and he starts the next day at 6 a.m. back to the hangar. I´ve been told that unless he´s really into it and just don´t get tired, he´ll will either take a lot longer than us (other ATPL collegues) or won´t make it... Oh and btw, we´ve got another 29 year old ladie and a 30 year old dude at our class...
But back to your case, I´m sure your perfectly in time to become a airline pilot, don´t give up
But back to your case, I´m sure your perfectly in time to become a airline pilot, don´t give up
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: .
I don't think training at late twenties / early 30s is that uncommon. Reason being that it is only usually at that age when most people have gathered the sufficient funds. Regarding distance learning ATPL ground school, it is very do-able but does require commitment.
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Central London
I don't think training at late twenties / early 30s is that uncommon. Reason being that it is only usually at that age when most people have gathered the sufficient funds. Regarding distance learning ATPL ground school, it is very do-able but does require commitment.
I think it's a combination of getting the funds together, getting a bit cynical about your current career and realising that if flying is what you want to do you need to act, rather than just dreaming about doing it in the future and putting it off.
