Am I too young? And how young is too young?
 

Hi all,

Need some help!!
Im 21 with brand new JAR PPL. The way things are going it looks like i will be sitting my ATPL theory when i am 22.
Problem is, i feel too young to be flying commercially. Dont get me wrong, i would love to fly for an airline or instruct. But who is going to want a 22 year old lad flying their planes or teaching students to fly?.
Better stil, how many people would want to be taught by a 22 year old??.

Have i got this wrong or is it genuinely not realistic to expect to become an instructor or airline pilot at such a young age???

AM I TOO YOUNG OR JUST TOO SCARED?!?!?!?!?

ps,I know i am by no means one of the youngest flyers out there!!! I just feel too young!!!!

http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif
Cheers!!!

I'm 30 and don't care who is teaching me/flying me around as long as they are better at it than I am!

Just go for it. If somebody doesn't respect your abilities as a pilot because of your age, that's their problem. Your confidence will build as you do more flying.

Rob...... just go for it! Don't hang around just 'cos you're worried about being too young!!! The airline I used to work for had Pilots as young an 19 and 20. What counts is experience, and if you get it at an earlier age than most, then good for you! I wish that I started flying at an earlier age (I am only 24!) instead of faffing around with all the ifs buts and maybes.
Take it easy.... and DON'T delay!

I'm 22 and start with a commercial carrier in Aug, think positive and you'll be fine, your gonna get trained well and know what your doing...enjoy!!!!!

------------------
"Keep The F*****G Ball In The Middle"!!!

Yeah, i suppose you are right.
How would you convince your local CFI that you are able to teach people at 22 though.
I know there arent any 22 year olds at the school where i got my ppl.

Thanks for replying though.

:) :) :) :) :) :)

People are obsessed with chronological age! There are constant posts here asking "Am I too old?", "Am I too young?" etc etc. Do you all spend your lives looking at people and working out their ages or something? does it matter?

Rob, I'm over twice your age, but I'd be happy to learn from you or anyone else if you had something you could teach me. If anyone else feels differently, it's their problem, not yours. I wish I'd started when I was your age, not because I can't do it now, but because it would mean I had a lot more years of flying left. You've got a great opportunity. Stop worrying and go for it!



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Whirly

To fly is human, to hover, divine.

Get a CPL and and instructor rating - there's your proof...

Wow...I hope to be flying people around by the time I'm 19 or so, with a little help from BA, or some other major, or maybe my local bank :)

Good luck to you all, and God help you if you ever get put next to me in a cockpit one day :)

Regards

Mike

I'm only 19 i have my PPL and 75hours total, i start at Oxford in Dec for the ATPL's, my instructor said the younger you are you should have a better chance of getting on with a major...we'll see!

Hi Rob,

I've been 21 now for about 10 days, and am three exams away from completing my ATPL exams. I'm pretty worried that on completing my course and sending out countless CVs, I will hear nothing from the airlines, etc, partly due to my age. I had the same thought about instructing, I could imagine the whole 'How old are you?!' type thing. I'm considering working abroad for a year or so, if I have to. Whatever I have to do to get paid to fly.

I would say go for it! Good luck :)

Rob, I've flown with co-pilots younger than you, and they were all damn good at their job (we're talking a reasonably major player on the aviation front here as well...) Go for it, age doesn't matter as much as the right attitude to the job, and the blind determination to get there.

Actually, thinking about it, I started my PPL when I was a year older than you!

£6

Help for a Young, Naive Pilot!
 

Hey there again - thanks everyone for your replies on my skills test next week - they really have been a great help. I'm flying on Thursday, then again on Saturday, and by then I should be ready, if not, I've booked another lesson for Sunday. Should hopefully be taking it next week sometime - I just can't wait to get it over with. I will definitely let you know how it goes though.
Here are a few more questions I would like answered if at all possible - thanks v. much...I could not find the answers to these anywhere.

PLEASE NOTE - I AM FLYING THE C152

1) What are the short trailing lines at the end of the wings for?
2) What is the short cable between the wing and the aileron?
3) Where are the pitot and static drains? (are they on the 152?)
4) What does LL mean in 100LL? I can't find it anywhere!
5) What are the different aerials on the fuselage? I assume it's the VOR, radio and transponder. Are there any more on the 152 and in what order do they come?
6) Are any of you going to the International Careers in Aviation Exhibition a week Sat (the 10th)?!

One final important thing I would like answered - what would you guys say is the standard safety briefing for passengers on the 152? As you have told me, it needs to be said to the examiner when he gets in....

Thank you once again v. much,

A Young, Nervous Pilot (17) - TP01

TP, Ill answer those questions that I can,

1, The 'trailing lines' are static wicks which allow the static charge which builds up on an aeroplane as it flies to dissipate. This reduces its chances of being struck by lightning.

2, The cable between the aileron and the wing is a bonding wire which ensures all parts of the airframe are at the same electrical potential. Also provides a path for a lightning strike to avoid it travelling through the control cables with catestrophic damage.

3, I dont remember seeing pitot and static drains on a 152 - Ask your instructor.

4, LL = low lead

5, Different aerials will be VHF COM, VOR ADF, DME, XPDR again ask your instructor.

6, No

7, A safety briefing should include information as to how to adjust seat and how to don, doff and adjust seatbelt, How to open doors and the location and use of emergency equipment (axe, fire extinguisher etc) What to do in the event of a forced landing (remove specs Brace etc) and any other questions that the passenger/examiner may have.

Good Luck!

Just to answer the missing question,

The pitot drain is the little hole just before the bend in the pitot tube.
There are no static drains.

Have a great flight and Good Luck.

Also the little flimsy antenna behind the cockpit is the ELT antenna.

1) What are the short trailing lines at the end of the wings for?

Discharging the static electricity that builds up on the aircraft in flight.

2) What is the short cable between the wing and the aileron?

Static electricity bonding.

3) Where are the pitot and static drains? (are they on the 152?)

No, they aren't.

4) What does LL mean in 100LL? I can't find it anywhere!

Low Lead (but not unleaded!)

5) What are the different aerials on the fuselage? I assume it's the VOR, radio and transponder. Are there any more on the 152 and in what order do they come?

In a normal C152 layout :

The two on the top of the tail that point backwards in a 'V' shape are the VOR aerials.
The little shark fin one underneath the aircraft is the transponder. The one on the roof of the cockpit that slopes backwards, is the VHF communication radio.

Others you might notice on individual aircraft although they're not standard fit on all aircraft : a wire stretching from the cockpit to the front of the vertical fin is an ADF aerial. A rectangular/square boxy shaped one beneath the aircraft is a DME, and a similar shaped but slightly smaller one on the roof of the aircraft would be a GPS.

6) Are any of you going to the International Careers in Aviation Exhibition a week Sat (the 10th)?!

Not me I'm afraid.

One final important thing I would like answered - what would you guys say is the standard safety briefing for passengers on the 152? As you have told me, it needs to be said to the examiner when he gets in....

"Welcome aboard sir, before we get under way today there's a few safety aspects I'd like to go over with you. The doors are located on each side, they're operated very simply by pulling this handle here, please remember if you're exiting the aircraft not to walk forward of the wing. The seatbelt comes in two pieces, a lap belt which is done up like so, and the shoulder harness which clips onto this little buckle like this. Please keep your seatbelt on and secure throughout the flight. I'd like you to note at this time, the location of the first aid kit *here* and the fire extinguisher *here* If you have a mobile phone on you, I'd like you to please switch it off now. Finally, please let me know if you're feeling ill or uncomfortable at any stage in the flight and I'll do my best to help you' don't use the word 'sick', it doesn't sound cool and professional :D

The only things you're legally required to cover are the position and operation of doors and the seatbelts (unless you're flying over water, in which case you will of course be carrying lifejackets, and you will brief your examiner on how to put them on and use them). It's also OK if your examiner has already got in and buckled up, to say 'I see you're already familiar with the operation of the doors and seatbelts' and carry on from there. The rest is just point scoring and they can't fail you for not covering it, but if you can reel it off and sound like you know what you're talking about then you've just made a favourable start to the flight. I'd rather have my students give a bare-minimum passenger brief that sounds competent and knowledgable, than a big elaborate one that is obviously being done parrot fashion.

Luke, I'm no technical wiz on the 152 but I seem to remember that there is a drain (tiny hole) at the back of the pitot tube otherwise rainwater rammed into the pitot in flight would be forced up into the airspeed indicator etc. If it water froze in the tube that would be interesting too!

Doh! You're right of course sensible. For some reason I was thinking only of the static drains which are of course those buttons down on the floor in those flashy Pipers.

Thanks very much Luke Skytoddler - that posting was VERY helpful indeed. I will try and impress my instructor tomorrow and let you know how it goes!

Cheers for now,

TP01

TP1

Unless you are flying for free, shouldn't you ask your instructor? Make him work for his money - flying is expensive and a good instructor would be hapy to point these things out to you. Get your money's worth! These are ideal questions to ask whilst doing your walk round, or during less demanding parts of your lessons. If your instructor is reluctant (or worse, unable) to answer these questions, find another instructor or change schools.
I haven't met an instructor yet who wouldn't help, or welcome such enquiries. Good pilots should always try to understand as much as they can about their aircraft and the environment they operate in, and it is a good sign that you want to ask these questions.

Good luck.

Also worth adding,
"If we have any problems before our take off speed of ?? knots i'll bring the to a halt on the runway(ATC call 'stopping'). If the failure occurs in the climb, with remaining runway i'll land straight ahead, higher in the climb i'll select a suitable area to land within 30 degrees either side.
Also worth stating is that the weather and crosswind are both within limits and in the climb give MSA for first leg.
Hope this helps and above all enjoy the flight.
FF

Can you be too young? i.e 20 yrs old
 

An example scenario, pre september 11th.

Trained to a good standard on an intregrated course at a good school i.e (cabair, oats, jerez) and completed, 20 years old, with 3 good A levels.

Ok would you be an employable pilot, or would age be on a problem. I mean at 20 years old would the airlines want to let you near a £30 million aircraft.

Im planning on training after I complete my A levels this spring, I will be 19 in September, therefore being 20 when I complete training (with a very (very very) optomistic view that the airline industry will have recovered in 2 years).

Is anyone else in the same position or been in the same position.

I would say go to University. You'll still only be 21 by the time you're done and have a great time. I did and am now 22 and planning on starting training soon. I fear I may graduate too early to be able to walk into a job though.

By the time you graduate the airline industry will be a good position and so will you be. Having a degree also means that if it doesn't work out for any reason, or you lose your medical at some point in your career, you have something substantial to fall back on.

[ 18 January 2002: Message edited by: bow5 ]</p>

Dimitri,

I would say go for it. I cannot see why going to University would make much difference if you have the money to go integrated already. It will help you in understanding some of the sillybus for JAR but a couple of A-Levels in Physics and Maths should see you through without too much brain screwing.

As for job prospects and employers taking on a 20 year old, all I can say to that is just do it and find out. It´s up to you to show them you are capable isn´t it?

There are two 19 year olds on my course at the moment and nobody has ever suggested that their age will work against them in the job stakes. On the contrary, they are in the best position.

Best of luck,

VFE. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

Just for your interest, in my case i was accepted on a sponsorship earlier this year at the age of 20 - so obviously the airline trusted me enough with their equipment. But there are some points to note:

1)By the time i wouldve completed training and been on the line i wouldve been 21/22.

2)I am a uni student and was accepted at the end of my second year (i wouldve had to forfiet my final year), which certainly helped my application.

3) The above points are past tense because sept 11th came along and has held things back a little!

But the moral of the story is, if you can demonstrate that you're mature enough during the selection process, then your age shouldnt hold you back.

Good luck.

Yes, they would let you, if you get recommended from Jerez or Oxford to an airline and pass, and they are still recruiting. Is conceivable and has been done, but I would be more wary about the timing: that is having a full licence with low hours even by the beginning of 2004. However if you have the cash and are prepared to risk it then you may just about be in a prime position, however if things really massively change in terms of consolidation of airlines/BA cutting itself up, then university and backup career would be better.

Of course we would all make the right decisions if we knew what will happen.

Good luck

20 years old is not too young to be flying..i started when i was 17...now 21 with CPL...etc..
Last night at a party i met a friend of mine i havnt seen in ages. The reason i hadnt seen him was because at the age of 20 an airline picked him up, he is now flying J41's at the age of 21.
Age is just a number, its all up to you! :-)

I know a young chap who’s flying in the RHS of a 737 at just 22. Little ba$tard.

I got a job flying the ATR42/72 when I was 20, as did a few of my mates, we are now all on jet aircraft and still only 23.

Age makes no difference when trying to land an airline job, experience is what counts. I started flying at 18, went to the States to train and build experience instructing and flying air taxi. I then returned to the UK at 20 with nearly 2000 hours.

Flew turboprops for a year, now flying the ERJ 145, looking at an upgrade to Captain in about 12 months (at the age of 24)!

Good Luck...and go for it!

It is true that most airlines would only see you being young as an advantage i.e you can work for them for longer. It is not the age but the maturity that counts. I got my Frozen ATPL at just turned 19 had 20 months looking for work, not the age just a bad time for recruitment. I was flying commercially ATR42/72 just before my 21st.

There was one guy at an interview once that said 3 times in 45mins despite the replies "I have never interviewed a 19 year old before" and " my son is 2 years older than you and all he does is sit on his backside or sleep"( he must have been a pilot) :) Needless to say I didn't get a job with that outfit, not that I was too disappointed.

The only thing I would say is that if you are considering uni I would do it. Not for the further education but for the misbehaving aspect. After you have been working for a few years you will look back on your young and carefree days with fondness. So try and make them last as long as you can. God I'm starting to sound old! If you do go to uni you will still have at least 37 years of flying, but while your up there in the cruise you can remind yourself of Jenny, Tracy, Paula, Shelley, lisa, Helen, etc. from your days of living in uni halls.

Either way GOOD LUCK in whatever you decide, and enjoy!!

Regards le loup garou <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Chill out boys. Go and enjoy life do the Uni thing (get drunk and get laid), go travelling, meet new people and places and get that on your CV.

At 24 and flying turboprops, I regret not going travelling. Life is to short. All I have now is my annual 5 weeks holiday and just taken 3 this month already.

Guys. I started at 16. Flew solo at 17, started my CPL @ BAe FT Prestwick just after my 18th. Finished at 20 Got a job flying SAAB 340s at 21. Then got a Job flying Boeing 757s at 22. Now 23.

Go for it!! As someone said if you have the money then go do it. If you dont get a job, you can always go to Uni then. You can fly in the meantime to keep you IR current. GOOD LUCK. .Eff Oh. :) <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> :)

Dont Bother with Uni, you can do that Later, it is very possible in the 5 years it will take you to go to Uni and get a CPL, we will have had the boom then the bust again.

I work for what used to be Cityflyer, we had a 19 yr old F/o and we have a 24yr old Captain on the 146! Age not a problem, its all maturity.

Too Young!!
 

I have just got an e-mail from Jerez saying that I am too young! I thought 17 was the minimum age for flight training!

Does Oxford use this rule?

Cheers

Just a guess, but it may be that BAe would rather not take responsibility for people under 18. If that's the case, Oxford and others may feel the same way.

Under 18 you are in Loco Parentis to BAE and therefore a liability waiting to happen.

Its bad enough having 26 year old flying instructors - who should know better than to end up - greeting the dawn bobbing on the swimming pool lilo dressed toga style in the common room curtains; without having 17ys olds doing it. :D :)


WWW

I think it says in the small print on the Jerez brochure something along the lines of the minimum age being 18 - dont know if its something to do with the minimum age for a CPL issue being 18 or what - really must go back and study some more air law!

Anyways, bide your time and enjoy being too young to start pal, it all gets rather busy when you do start!

All the best.

Tunny

I think that 18 is the minimum age to get your CPL, however, your rejection is most likely based on the insurance requirements of that particular school.

Try elsewhere. See what happens, and ask WHY NOT.

Is waiting under a year a big deal?

It would make sense in the current industry climate, plus you could see what the common people do, for example, by working in a bookies...ohh, I forgot, you're under 18...