How old are you??
Guest
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Well Yosemite Sam: I'm 1 month into my 32nd year and like others, it’s been a long, hard road – and it never seems to end sometimes!
It's got to be said at this stage: I personally remained single 'cause I wanted my career first; I really admire the guys here who are older than WE are and have a wife +kids +mortgage +dog etc -- if they can find a way of doing it in those circumstances, anyone can!
Some mention that they don't want to get to 70-80 yrs-old and regret never having tried: one of my brothers is 40, has 200+ hours, lives in a £500K house with wifey and 2 kids but does nothing but whinge that he'd rather be flying for a living.
I’m glad I WON’T to be in his position in 8 years time, let alone when I'm 70-80! And Shanwick Shanwick: I don’t know about a flight deck, you should be in a bloody plant pot! There’s more than a few here who’ll swap places with you! Why did you become a pilot? Did daddy have too much money to spend? Have a bag of chips and get an early night pal.
Me? It started from a Sunday afternoon in the summer of 1978, looking down on a Laker Skytrain, a British Airtours 707, an Air France Caravelle and a British Airways Trident from the terraces of Manchester airport. (Bet that'll take a few of you back!)
Ended up in the Air Cadets as soon as I was old enough and, before I knew it, was airborne in a gloomy December sky in the back of an RAF Chipmunk. And yes, I can still also smell that mixture of Av gas, rubber and hydraulic oil! Got my RAF gliding certificate just after I was 16 but then fatally give up studying and pursued another career for 2 years.
Went back to studying then, out of the blue, applied and got short listed for a Britannia sponsorship -- then the recession hit and it was withdrawn. Went to university. Applied to RAF who told me I'd be JUST over the age limit for flying when I finished my BSc and wouldn't take me without it. After uni ended up applying to everybody who was offering a commercial sponsorship but, despite walking all the aptitude tests, like so many others still didn't get to the latter stages of selection.
Ended up on self funding route.
How do we fund it? Like lots of others here, I ended up in the I.T. industry ('cause I knew I could earn above average doe for flying in this). Then, with some experience in I.T., started my own business ('cause I knew I could earn even MORE doe for flying doing this and therefore get there quicker). I also somehow manage to squeeze in 9 hours or more a week of teaching I.T. in an F/E college to boost my flying funds (not to mention university debt repayments!) even further.
Because of the expense, restrictions and irregularity here, I aim to finish off everything in one go State side next year like dallas dude. (If I end up meeting some buxom, squawking, Yankee wench while I'm over all the better!)
Just keep focused on your end goal and if anybody tries to put obstacles in front of you, make sure you tell 'em to make 'em big -- VERY BIG: it'll cause THEM a damn site more effort than it will for you to step over them if you’re determined enough. Remember: people without a passion and a dream in life will NEVER see yours.
If you don't take a chance and go for something you really want, you'll end up nowhere and unhappy like so many others I see. Like dallas dude said: “We’re all gonna be dead an awful long time!”
Go fly, be happy.
It's got to be said at this stage: I personally remained single 'cause I wanted my career first; I really admire the guys here who are older than WE are and have a wife +kids +mortgage +dog etc -- if they can find a way of doing it in those circumstances, anyone can!
Some mention that they don't want to get to 70-80 yrs-old and regret never having tried: one of my brothers is 40, has 200+ hours, lives in a £500K house with wifey and 2 kids but does nothing but whinge that he'd rather be flying for a living.
I’m glad I WON’T to be in his position in 8 years time, let alone when I'm 70-80! And Shanwick Shanwick: I don’t know about a flight deck, you should be in a bloody plant pot! There’s more than a few here who’ll swap places with you! Why did you become a pilot? Did daddy have too much money to spend? Have a bag of chips and get an early night pal.
Me? It started from a Sunday afternoon in the summer of 1978, looking down on a Laker Skytrain, a British Airtours 707, an Air France Caravelle and a British Airways Trident from the terraces of Manchester airport. (Bet that'll take a few of you back!)
Ended up in the Air Cadets as soon as I was old enough and, before I knew it, was airborne in a gloomy December sky in the back of an RAF Chipmunk. And yes, I can still also smell that mixture of Av gas, rubber and hydraulic oil!
Got my RAF gliding certificate just after I was 16 but then fatally give up studying and pursued another career for 2 years.Went back to studying then, out of the blue, applied and got short listed for a Britannia sponsorship -- then the recession hit and it was withdrawn. Went to university. Applied to RAF who told me I'd be JUST over the age limit for flying when I finished my BSc and wouldn't take me without it. After uni ended up applying to everybody who was offering a commercial sponsorship but, despite walking all the aptitude tests, like so many others still didn't get to the latter stages of selection.
Ended up on self funding route.How do we fund it? Like lots of others here, I ended up in the I.T. industry ('cause I knew I could earn above average doe for flying in this). Then, with some experience in I.T., started my own business ('cause I knew I could earn even MORE doe for flying doing this and therefore get there quicker). I also somehow manage to squeeze in 9 hours or more a week of teaching I.T. in an F/E college to boost my flying funds (not to mention university debt repayments!) even further.
Because of the expense, restrictions and irregularity here, I aim to finish off everything in one go State side next year like dallas dude. (If I end up meeting some buxom, squawking, Yankee wench while I'm over all the better!)
Just keep focused on your end goal and if anybody tries to put obstacles in front of you, make sure you tell 'em to make 'em big -- VERY BIG: it'll cause THEM a damn site more effort than it will for you to step over them if you’re determined enough. Remember: people without a passion and a dream in life will NEVER see yours.
If you don't take a chance and go for something you really want, you'll end up nowhere and unhappy like so many others I see. Like dallas dude said: “We’re all gonna be dead an awful long time!”
Go fly, be happy.
Guest
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Haveing looked through all the replys I believe there is hope for you all yet. Though I must say though that it make me feel a little ancient. I start flying at 48 and had my PPL and IMC by 49.
Stated studying for CPL ground school and completed the exams at 50 and have since been to USA for 55 hours to get on to course for CPL which I completed this year in May and have just completed the Flying Instructors course in August and st 51 its got to be one of the greatest achievements one can strive to.
So nothing is impossible if you want it enough and are prepared to put in the effort.
Good luck to all, hope to be training some of you in the future.
Stated studying for CPL ground school and completed the exams at 50 and have since been to USA for 55 hours to get on to course for CPL which I completed this year in May and have just completed the Flying Instructors course in August and st 51 its got to be one of the greatest achievements one can strive to.
So nothing is impossible if you want it enough and are prepared to put in the effort.
Good luck to all, hope to be training some of you in the future.
Guest
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38, 175 hours PPL/IMC/Night, half-way through JAA ATPLs (7/7 so far!), wife, big mortgage (**** !), 2 kids (private school - ouch!), giving up successful own business to realise the dream before its too late - its gonna be tough as the money I'd stashed is already running out, so I'll probably have to be an IT prostitute a while longer (even though it bores me to tears these days).....gotta do this or die trying!!!
Guest
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I used to be 39 nearly two years ago now.
I have the near vision of a 43 year old but the long vision is still 6/4 in both.
I feel 17 look 30ish and wish I was 22 so I could re-apply to BA,RAF,EI et al knowing what I knbow now. And ask out that beautiful 22 year old blonde engineer I just met.
Yes it is possible for engineers to be beautiful.
I have the near vision of a 43 year old but the long vision is still 6/4 in both.
I feel 17 look 30ish and wish I was 22 so I could re-apply to BA,RAF,EI et al knowing what I knbow now. And ask out that beautiful 22 year old blonde engineer I just met.
Yes it is possible for engineers to be beautiful.
Guest
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Well im 16, went solo at 16, made the local T.V news (quite proud of that!) and have around 55TT.
Been flying since I was 13 and hope to get PPL on 17th birthday, done lots of work experience and currently getting interviewed for flying scholarships, have lots of contacts and doing good a-levels got good GCSE's.
Its going be a hard long slog, but im in for the whole ride!
Rusty
Been flying since I was 13 and hope to get PPL on 17th birthday, done lots of work experience and currently getting interviewed for flying scholarships, have lots of contacts and doing good a-levels got good GCSE's.
Its going be a hard long slog, but im in for the whole ride!
Rusty
Guest
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Im 23, just passed up a "great" career as an architect after uni for the BA CEP, through to final board at the mo so I hope to god I make all the way!
Good luck to all the others, I'll sure as hell keep trying till I make it one way or the other, a ride on the jump seat removes any doubts you may gather over time!
Good luck to all the others, I'll sure as hell keep trying till I make it one way or the other, a ride on the jump seat removes any doubts you may gather over time!
Guest
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18 years old, started flying at 11 with a trial lesson. Current PPL with 100hrsTT, sponsored by the RAF in 99' on a flying scholarship, completed gliding scholarship with the ATC, lots of airline work experience, currently going through airline sponsorship selection.
If no sponsor, am going to start self sponsored route in January.
good luck to all with the ambition and drive to make it.
[This message has been edited by Mr. Fussy (edited 27 October 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Mr. Fussy (edited 27 October 2000).]
If no sponsor, am going to start self sponsored route in January.
good luck to all with the ambition and drive to make it.
[This message has been edited by Mr. Fussy (edited 27 October 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Mr. Fussy (edited 27 October 2000).]
Guest
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Simply,
43yo,just about to do PPL skill test,champing at the bit to dive into instruments.See profile to discover funding,but I am looking to go as far as is
possible and practical.
Immediately ,looking to split my time maybe as an instructor and the day job,but I enjoy the mental challenge of the theory again(!) so hope to climb the ratings ladder to maybe a CPL.
43yo,just about to do PPL skill test,champing at the bit to dive into instruments.See profile to discover funding,but I am looking to go as far as is
possible and practical.
Immediately ,looking to split my time maybe as an instructor and the day job,but I enjoy the mental challenge of the theory again(!) so hope to climb the ratings ladder to maybe a CPL.
Guest
Posts: n/a
33 years old
300 hours
BCPL/multi/night/IMC
ATPLs passed with Perf A
Presently halfway through a CPL/IR Upgrade.
I'm on unpaid leave at present - have two jobs, both reasonably paid but very time consuming.
Very supportive wife who also works and earns a reasonable wage. No kids but two cats, they're enough of a handful!!!
300 hours
BCPL/multi/night/IMC
ATPLs passed with Perf A
Presently halfway through a CPL/IR Upgrade.
I'm on unpaid leave at present - have two jobs, both reasonably paid but very time consuming.
Very supportive wife who also works and earns a reasonable wage. No kids but two cats, they're enough of a handful!!!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Here goes:
I'm 23 and did my first solo about two weeks ago after just under 10 hours.
Looking for ways of financing an ATPL (hello HSBC!) and going off somewhere to train to fly big aeroplanes with jets on them!
Good luck to all other wannabes, I'm sure we'll get there.
------------------
And up we go!
I'm 23 and did my first solo about two weeks ago after just under 10 hours.
Looking for ways of financing an ATPL (hello HSBC!) and going off somewhere to train to fly big aeroplanes with jets on them!
Good luck to all other wannabes, I'm sure we'll get there.
------------------
And up we go!
Guest
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WOW.....I'm impressed!
When I started my long trek down the aviation route it seemed to never end. I say to you all..........keep going - it really is worth it. :-)
I started my PPL at 22 years - BCPL at 24, CPL at 25, ATPL at 27. - All self sponsored. Total cost about £25,000.00 Sterling. Para dropping, tug pilot, eye in the sky, aerial photo, PA, beg, steal, borrow! Just to fly?.........Yes.
Got my Command on 747 Classic this year.......what a fab job.
So keep going, fly safe and when you get your first job you will look back and be years older!
-------------------
Coanda. (Effective aerodynamics)
When I started my long trek down the aviation route it seemed to never end. I say to you all..........keep going - it really is worth it. :-)
I started my PPL at 22 years - BCPL at 24, CPL at 25, ATPL at 27. - All self sponsored. Total cost about £25,000.00 Sterling. Para dropping, tug pilot, eye in the sky, aerial photo, PA, beg, steal, borrow! Just to fly?.........Yes.
Got my Command on 747 Classic this year.......what a fab job.
So keep going, fly safe and when you get your first job you will look back and be years older!
-------------------
Coanda. (Effective aerodynamics)
Guest
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I started the same age as you.
I am now 36 and just found my first commercial job flying a Chieftain for a freight run. Mind you I did not do it on a regular basis due to lack of funds.
But got there eventually but only up to CPL/ME/IR. Still going for my ATPL. Was thinking of doing an instructors course but was lucky enough to find a freight run job without it. I had to borrow a lot.
I am now 36 and just found my first commercial job flying a Chieftain for a freight run. Mind you I did not do it on a regular basis due to lack of funds.
But got there eventually but only up to CPL/ME/IR. Still going for my ATPL. Was thinking of doing an instructors course but was lucky enough to find a freight run job without it. I had to borrow a lot.