How old are you??
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If you want it, do it Sam.
I'm 42, zero experience, taking the GAPAN assesment day at RAF Cranwell next week, deciding best way forward from there.
I'm married, my lovely wife totally supports me trying, no kids, and almost no mortgage.
Worked in the IT industry for far too long, I need a change.
I love flying as a pax, now I want to do it from the sharp end.
I know it won't be easy because of my age, but nothing you ever really want is
I'm 42, zero experience, taking the GAPAN assesment day at RAF Cranwell next week, deciding best way forward from there.
I'm married, my lovely wife totally supports me trying, no kids, and almost no mortgage.
Worked in the IT industry for far too long, I need a change.
I love flying as a pax, now I want to do it from the sharp end.
I know it won't be easy because of my age, but nothing you ever really want is
Guest
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I'm 22 and have just finished at Cranfield. The university, that is, with a BSc in Environment Management. Wahey!
I have 1hr TT, which was a flight in a bulldog with the chief test pilot at Cranfield, top man, had a great time. My boredom at uni and that flight have convinced me that I want to fly for a living. Still trying to get in the RAF (not as pilot though), failing that will get a job, put lots of money away and then go for my licences about 28. Erm make that mid-thirties, won't be able to afford it any earlier as I pissed my inheritance up the wall while at uni.
Good luck chaps.
I have 1hr TT, which was a flight in a bulldog with the chief test pilot at Cranfield, top man, had a great time. My boredom at uni and that flight have convinced me that I want to fly for a living. Still trying to get in the RAF (not as pilot though), failing that will get a job, put lots of money away and then go for my licences about 28. Erm make that mid-thirties, won't be able to afford it any earlier as I pissed my inheritance up the wall while at uni.
Good luck chaps.
Guest
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The good part..35, 2000hrs, married, two stepdaughters, living in the USA, currently in training to fly the turboblimp hauling boxes.
The bad part..started flying in 1989, been through financial hell, lived in some pretty grotty and strange places at times, lived out of my car (also grotty and strange!).
Outlook..hope to be flying a bigger Transport Category airplane in less than 11 years from now!
The bad part..started flying in 1989, been through financial hell, lived in some pretty grotty and strange places at times, lived out of my car (also grotty and strange!).
Outlook..hope to be flying a bigger Transport Category airplane in less than 11 years from now!
Guest
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Before you do anything, go get a first class medical.
If you feel time is not on your side and you're single, sell everything you own and
come to the US. You can earn a PPL within a month, have your I/R at 125 hrs and a commercial license at 250 hrs. Then take your
Instructor rating, and Multi, and hour build like hell (legally please). It's going to cost around $25000 give or take. By the end of 12 months you should have around 350-400 hrs.
While you've been doing this, instead of hanging out at "Cheers", study towards the Euro license. (If you can find a local that's worth shacking up with this may not be necessary ie green card. You may be able to stay and find a job here).
Get all the info you need on converting your license BEFORE you spend a penny. Check with CAA and local Colleges etc.
When you go home you should have all your ducks in a row and take your writtens, then your flight tests (with appropriate training) for I/R and CPL.
If you're married, outline your dream and convince your better half that doing it piecemeal will be more expensive (constantly going over the same stuff due to lack of consistency) and will take MUCH longer. Remind them neither of you is getting any younger!
I basically did the above, got my UK ATP,
found and married a yank (in London!), moved back over to US and now fly for a major.
It ain't cheap but it's worth it. It can be done. I realise I was very lucky but then, sometimes you make your own luck.
Most importantly never give up. We're all gonna be dead an awful long time!
ps One of the guys in my class was 47 yrs young!
If you feel time is not on your side and you're single, sell everything you own and
come to the US. You can earn a PPL within a month, have your I/R at 125 hrs and a commercial license at 250 hrs. Then take your
Instructor rating, and Multi, and hour build like hell (legally please). It's going to cost around $25000 give or take. By the end of 12 months you should have around 350-400 hrs.
While you've been doing this, instead of hanging out at "Cheers", study towards the Euro license. (If you can find a local that's worth shacking up with this may not be necessary ie green card. You may be able to stay and find a job here).
Get all the info you need on converting your license BEFORE you spend a penny. Check with CAA and local Colleges etc.
When you go home you should have all your ducks in a row and take your writtens, then your flight tests (with appropriate training) for I/R and CPL.
If you're married, outline your dream and convince your better half that doing it piecemeal will be more expensive (constantly going over the same stuff due to lack of consistency) and will take MUCH longer. Remind them neither of you is getting any younger!
I basically did the above, got my UK ATP,
found and married a yank (in London!), moved back over to US and now fly for a major.
It ain't cheap but it's worth it. It can be done. I realise I was very lucky but then, sometimes you make your own luck.
Most importantly never give up. We're all gonna be dead an awful long time!
ps One of the guys in my class was 47 yrs young!
Guest
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27, 2300 hours, FAA CPL-IR, Indian CPL-IR and now working on JAA CPL-IR ATPL(F)
Currently running a flying school in FL and hoping to stay in flight training
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My mascot is a bumblebee. Because of its tiny wings and heavy body, aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn't know that, so it flies anyway.
Currently running a flying school in FL and hoping to stay in flight training
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My mascot is a bumblebee. Because of its tiny wings and heavy body, aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn't know that, so it flies anyway.
Guest
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33 years old, married one kid, another on the way, finished CPL/IR frozen ATPL approved course at UK school in May, still seeking first job. Spent all my ( and my wife's ) savings, remortgaged the house, sold the car, borrowed etc.
Desperately trying to get a job before going down the instructor route (if we can live off the pay?!!). Did well at the flight training and had a successful career (which I left for good in 1998) to add to the cv,but noone from my course seems to be getting a job. Getting a little tired of hearing people say "just do it!". My advise would be to look before you leap - it's serious stuff if you've family and/or you literally run out of money.
Of course, if I get offered a job next week I'll be saying - "just go for it"!!
Desperately trying to get a job before going down the instructor route (if we can live off the pay?!!). Did well at the flight training and had a successful career (which I left for good in 1998) to add to the cv,but noone from my course seems to be getting a job. Getting a little tired of hearing people say "just do it!". My advise would be to look before you leap - it's serious stuff if you've family and/or you literally run out of money.
Of course, if I get offered a job next week I'll be saying - "just go for it"!!
Guest
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A thought !
If you have read all the above you will know the soul-searching,committment and going-without that lots of pilots currently qualified and wannabees have gone through or are prepared to go through to realise that dream.
It's why pilots have a sense of humour and are suppotive of other pilots and wannabees.
Makes me proud to know you all.
If you have read all the above you will know the soul-searching,committment and going-without that lots of pilots currently qualified and wannabees have gone through or are prepared to go through to realise that dream.
It's why pilots have a sense of humour and are suppotive of other pilots and wannabees.
Makes me proud to know you all.
Guest
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Interesting stuff
42
(FATPL) F.I. problem is not age but hours, unless you are very lucky the real problem will be lack of hours
you will need at least 1000 tt to get a job
However I would not change things.
Be warned, this flying caper will push you to the limits.
Have both eyes open, if you still fancy what you see then dive in
JWF