Would 23 years of age be too late to start airline pilot training?
 

I'll be around 23 by the time I graduate from university. Assuming that, no matter what anyone says about the industry, I still have the passion to become a pilot, would I be too old?

I honestly think I'm one of those people who will always have the flying bug...

EDIT: I am also assuming that I will have the funds to start training. Since I probably won't have any money, I doubt I will pursue flying as a career. But this is just a hypothetical question.

Hell no. I know some pilots who started in their late 30's and some in their 40's. Follow the dream dude, and don't let anyone stop you or tell you differently. I'll be brutally honest though. It is a tough industry to break into. But with hard work, integrity, persistence and a positive attitude you'll make it. Just don't give up. Where do you plan on doing your flying?

That's great news, Twotter pilot.

Where do I plan on doing my flying? Well, I know for sure that I will do my PPL in Toronto, or in the GTA. After that, I think I'll still do it in Toronto, if I don't move.

When I finish training, who knows where my career will take me?

I'm from the GTA as well. I'm living in the dominican now. You may want to plan on moving up north to Timmins or Thunder Bay, or some place in butt**** nowhere. As soon as you finish you cpl sit your IATRA exam right away.

Unlike my friends I haven't had the easiest journey in this industry. There was a period between 2007 and 2013 where I didn't have a job within the industry. Buuuuut, on a positive note I started my own business in construction and renovation which made me a lot of money and a lot of new contacts and I learned a a lot about business management without having to go to school for it. Before all this stuff happened I had a flying gig in Australia in which I started out in a skydiving company making no money. I got a license to pack parachutes and I made 10 bucks a chute. It was enough to pay for food. I lived at the drop zone for free in a small single room. I met my future wife while working at the drop zone and about 6 months later I got an offer doing aerial photography. I actually got paid for that and made about 500 bucks a week and the company paid for my accommodation while on travel. It was a cool job. Flying across Australia with the door off at 500 ft in a piper Cherokee. About a yr and a half after arriving in Australia it was over. Moved back to Toronto got married and then the recession hit. I was royally screwed and that's when the business started. And in November of 2013 I was offered a job from my native birthplace... A small island in the Indian ocean which I hadn't been back to since I left at the age of 5. It was a sweet gig island hopping in a Twin otter but surviving wasn't so sweet. Making a whopping 500 bucks a month wasn't cutting it especially with a wife and 2 small kids. Well that lasted almost 2 yrs. now with some great contacts I've made over the years and some twin turbine and multi-crew experience it has helped me land this job in the Dominican republic on a319. So, like I said before, it's not easy, but keep the dream alive and just go for it. Don't give up. I had almost 5 years of rejection. When I left the Australia job I had 500 hrs of single piston time. Now Im just under 2000 hrs in a short time.

28 too late to start?
 

Hi all

I am a low hour PPL holder for 5 years. Being disgruntled in my current career as a public servant for several years I have been considering doing what I always wanted to do, but never being fortunate enough to come from a well off family to do it.

Now at 28 (not far off 29) having made my own way with a mortgage, it may well be possible for me to complete the training up to a frozen ATPL over to next 24-36 months by the modular route.

Will I be too old at 31-32 in reality to get a look in with any airline? This will take a considerable amount of time and money to do as we all know. I just don't want to go ahead, where at the end of it all, I'll only be able to get a low paid flying instructors job.

I am aware FO jobs to start don't pay too handsomely. I have a business on the side at the moment growing which I hope would take care of the shortfall by then.

Advice is much appreciate from anyone who knows about the airline industry how it is now and where it is going in the future.

You're unlikely to get the answer you're looking for. I'd suggest reading the sticky on "Am I too old".

TOO OLD! really could be the issue!
 

Guys,
I am a 1600 hour pilot, FAA commercial multi engine IFR, who never flown commercially.

I am 47 years old (09-09-1967), specialized in Aviation Safety, currently working for an Organization, where I am responsible for Aircraft Accident Investigation, Aviation Risk Management and Aviation Safety Assessment of operators (contractors), military (contracted States) on all aviation activities.

I hold a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Science, Master in Organizational Leadership and a bachelor in Computer Science. Have done 5 years of studies in Aviation Safety with the University of Southern California besides the above education (i.e SMS, Accident Investigation, Human Factors, etc.)

NOW...I want to fulfill a dream, become a commercial pilot at this stage of life and want to know WHERE TO INVEST...
AIRBUS 320 or Boeing 737?

Please help with your professional experience, which market I may be able to fit in faster! IF EVER POSSIBLE DUE TO MY AGE.

brazeagle,

I hear you...but think carefully before you decide. Your qualifications and current position sound impressive. You mentioned being "responsible for" various functions. Just be aware that if you join an airline at this stage, the limit of your responsibility will be reporting for duty every day and doing whatever the Captain wants you to do. That's difficult if you're middle aged.

Take a look at the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJk9Skxyi84

It's all about succeeding as a pilot in the US but it's honest and a lot of its content rings true across other continents.

If you want to go ahead and train commercially, it's a huge gamble and as with any other gamble you should never bet what you can't afford to lose so please do not get tied up to your eyeballs in debt especially if you have to use your (or someone else's) property as security.

If you can train part time while keeping a stable income from a job or business venture then do so.

If you decide to quit your current career and train full time then don't slam the door on the way out, if you cannot find well paid flying employment after training you may well need to go back to your old line of work to keep cash coming in while you hunt for a flying job.

If you have a long term partner, spouse and or kids make sure that they are provided for and that you have their support to embark on training.

Good Luck and Happy New Year

At 33 it is possible to make it but it is tough. Really tough. By the time you are employable to will be a couple of years older and despite what is said it is borderline as to whether or not the principal employers of low hours pilots would look at you. There is always the exception but they are few and far between from 35 onwards. I was actually a little older and it took me nearly 4 years to find a position...and I was lucky! There were many periods during that time that I wished I hadn't 'wasted the time,effort and money' and it isn't a happy place to be. The skills you gain aren't really transferable to other occupations either.
That said...it is a great job, it has it's ups and its downs but all jobs have that. Just make sure that you know what you are getting in to and what you stand to lose.

The older you are, the more realistic you have be (and that doesn't just apply to aviation). If you want to do it and can afford to 'write off' the investment in time and money, then why not - you only live once, and all that.

Also, as you get you older, you become more philosophical and understand what is possible and what isn't. One thing I don't buy into is age making it more difficult to re-train and learn new skills etc. Yes, there is a bit of truth in that but I've got an engineering background where you effectively retrain your whole career learning new techniques, software and more. It's more to do with the individual than any arbitrary age.

I am full of my spirits when i read this post. I have started my path. Actually, i don't know my goal will success or not. But i HAVE TO TRY. Thanks for your posting.

A guy that used fly in my local flying club just got his first job in Ryanair at age of 38.
Only finished his course in October last year, and managed to get in in December 14.

Not a bad going lads, so who says you are too old!

Need some Guidance Please
 

Dear All,

First of all I would like to greet and thank everyone here who is reading this thread. I am here to seek some advice from you people because I am standing at edge of one biggest life changing question in my life ever. Your advice and guidance will not only help me to take this vital decision but also will change my whole life.

About myself, I am 32 yrs old. I have done Masters in business from Kingston University. I am currently working full time with gud salary. But deep down I am not very happy with job I am doing. I always wanted to learn flying and be a commercial pilot. But due to family responsibilities i was not able to do it. But now I have reached a point were I have the freedom to think about my own dreams. First of all the question is Am I too old now to think of doing this complete career change??

I have done some research about ATPL studies and am aware of the cost and training involved. But to reduce the cost I am thinking of going to India and do the studies as its my home country and will be lot easier and cheaper for me. There are few good colleges in India and cost would be some where near 30000 pounds for 18 months training. I am thinking of starting my PPL here in UK.

My real worries are:

1) Am I too old for this now?

2) What if cant finished the whole studies?

3) In one of seminar I attended by BA and CTC, the guest speaker said " Not everyone can be a pilot. Its not the career for everyone". What does he really mean by this?

4)If I have ATPL from non European country will I still be able to get any job here in UK?

Please advice me on this issues. Do you think going to India for studies would be a right move? Keep in mind I will have to leave my current job.

Your help and advice would be much appreciated and I will be really thankful for your time and advice.

Many thanks

For those that list all their credentials, changing careers, I am too old etc. Answer these questions to know if its really the right thing.

Can you pass a medical/Healthy?

Do you think about flying all the time?

Do you have a lot of money to spend/Financially secure?

Are you always reading about flying?

Prepared to spend lots of hours training/studying?

Are you always talking about flying?

Prepared to go anywhere on the planet to fly/most remote uninhabited places?

Watch every video can get hands on that has to do with aviation.

Leave loved ones behind for days, weeks maybe months or years?

Read Flying mags in the loo.

Live out of a bag/suitcase/hotels?

Always look up when hear a plane.


Answer No to any of the questions then seriously rethink about investing in an aviation career. Answer Yes to all then congratulations you are not too old and welcome to the aviators club/fraternity of those that love to fly!

Sameer

1) 32 is not too old, although your options and opportunities are more limited than if you were 22. You need to be realistic about this.

2) If you can't finish your studies, you will not gain a licence. You should have a contingency plan for this - never close the door entirely on your former career, and always have exit options.

3) Not everyone can be a pilot. For the same reasons that not everyone can be a doctor, or a lawyer. They might not have the academic ability, or the physical ability, or the aptitude, or the financial back-up, or the flexibility to manage ridiculous shifts, or a family that can accept the lifestyle that being a pilot brings. Add into this the medical requirements, the 6 monthly line checks, the incredibly high standards required and the personal / soft / communication skills required to share a cockpit with someone for up to 12 hours at a time.

4) No

Am I too old
 

Hi all,


First post here, I am a 37 year old married man who has always wanted to become a professional pilot. I am finally in a position where I can make this happen. My intention is to complete an integrated program in as short a timeframe as possible and have come across one company in Spain offering a zero - fATPL in nine months. Can anybody please advise if this is a practical timeframe or even better if anybody has actually completed their training in this period of time. I understand all the pitfalls regarding getting a job at my age etc etc, however I have noticed that certain airlines prefer more mature candidates so I am willing to give it a try. I really just want to know if this short timeframe is practicable with the correct amount of study and determination.
Thanks to all in advance.

Sure you can do it in 9 months, if you can live at the school every day, and do your regular 2 hours of flying per day. Some people are so lucky they got the money and also spare the time to do it. Do you feel lucky? :cool:

Hi,

In response to dog factory, firstly thank you for responding to my mail and to answer your question about feeling lucky, I suppose I do, however not as lucky as I would have felt 15 years ago if I had been in a position to follow my chosen career then. I was 22 when I completed my PPL and due to marriage, children etc I had to pursue alternative methods of providing for the above. Now after working long hours and being away from home for months at a time over the last 15 years I can finally reach my goal, so yes I feel lucky, however this luck came about from lots of hard work and a dedication to reach my ambition. Sometimes you need to make your own luck!

Hi chaps,
I've booked my FAA class one medical for a few weeks time (Not much chance of passing, as I am a well known lunatic). I'm pushing 60 and although I have a total of around 9000 hours I only hold an FAA CPL (Airships) that is current.
I still have vague hazy dreams that I used to be a flying instructor in the UK for the Oxford Air Training School (CSE Aviation), who seem to have sunk with all hands. In order to get me to leave them they insisted on giving me an SCPL(Senior Commercial Persons License?)/ IR and multi QFI rating. I think I've got around 2000 hours of fixed, glued or bolted wing time.

The problem is that a good old friend of mine is flying some big job (It does not carry passengers apart from the odd stowaway) and has invited me to fly as the P3 (No type rating required), cos the flights are often over 10 hours and my duties will include kicking the type rated co-pilot awake every time an alarm goes off and making the tea.

BUT, the powers that be on the other side of the pond (Probably the insurance company) have insisted that I must hold an FAA ATP (Aerial trained person) and current instrument rating.

I did call up some chap in an Orlando training school, but he started laughing and hung up!

Anyone know the exact requirements, other than finding an instructor (Some new fangled special course according to one advert) with a sense of humor.