If you want it to happen you will make it happen - age is just a number! You could start at 45 and still have a 20 year career. You can't guarantee that you will get a job, you can only guarantee that you won't - by not getting the licence in the first place.

Always found flying with the guys who had a life before aviation much more enjoyable, they bought life experience and didn’t have, for want of a better word, the rigidity of the books.
i think a lot of the problem for the oldies who now want to join is the training ain’t the same and they have to pay!
when I joined an airline I was late 30s, the training was just that, training, can’t remember details but sake of argument. 3 week groundschool and 15 sims.plus the company paid.
towards the end of career changing jobs it was study on your own and 9 sims. That with being old made the conversion not enjoyable and for those that do the recruiting it ain’t good for their bonus when someone fails.
with that, Covid and the fast dwindling terms, wages etc if I was doing it now at the age I was I wouldn’t.

rudestuff

Yeah ok then, let’s just plow on blindly, because I want it to happen, it will happen.... The reality is, is that it ain’t gonna happen. He’s making a sensible decision IMO. The odds are massively stacked against type rated pilots, never mind newbies.

Save your cash and your sanity.

Read the title of the thread mate. The question isn't should I become a pilot right now? - it's should I become a pilot at my age?
I agree, it's not the best time right now. But as long as people exist and the airplanes exist then airlines will eventually be short of pilots. The only way to catch the wave when it comes it's to be ready and waiting which is why anyone in their right mind who's looking into flight training at the moment will aim for a CPL/SEIR and then sit on their hands, having spent the bare minimum to get 4 weeks from the finish line.
IMO giving up on a dream leads to a lifetime of regret.

I can’t see this ageing well to be honest. As we all know, airlines have never been short of pilots. Add the thousands of redundant/soon to be redundant type rated pilots to the constant stream of wannabes, I rest my case. We all know of the ones who have already been caught in the cross-fire, medium jet captains driving delivery vehicles and stacking shelves. Turbo prop pilots sat there with useless ratings, expats from the Far East/sand pit etc. Enjoy flying for fun, forget commercial aviation, save your money instead of pursuing a dead end outcome. We all know GA is the best fun, stick to light aircraft.

The present tsunami has severely knocked potential junior birdmen off course for five years perhaps.

Rudestuff is quite right..’if you want it to happen you will make it happen.’

Those who reckon that they have past their “tipping point” age, then private flying beckons. Enjoy it.

For those who feel that their time will come, it will.

As I tell those students self funding/modular, the analogy is a bit like joining the Church, you need to believe in GOD.
You have probably wanted to from the age of say ten.
“Plane daft”. Nothing else as a way of life.

And for those who succeed it is “better than having to work for a living”.

Those who think of joining for “the status”( parents who force their kids into medicine) or “the money”, go instead and join a hedge fund as a worker. Cheaper for the Bank of Mum & Dad.

These, in my view, are the acidic tests to be achieved.
As has been pointed out “age is just a number”

Thank you all for your personal opinion and experiences ... eventually, it comes down to the individual to make the decision... I will have another thought about it during the
holidays. I could continue modular as I already have my ppl and enough savings.

PPL doesn't satisfy me as I keep looking up even from 1500 ft! Who knows what the world will look like in 4-5 years - one thing is for sure people will continue to fly and pilots will be needed....

Look, I wouldn't in good conscience encourage someone into aviation on a whim. The last time there were this few pilot jobs it was 1902.
But if someone has a dream, then I'll fan the flames beside there's nothing more demoralising than giving up on a dream and living a life of regret.
It won't be easy or cheap, but ​​​​​​ IF you're good enough and IF you want it enough you will get a job. There are only 2 things that can stop that:
1: giving up
2: reaching 65
(If you read some of the previous posts you'll see just how prevalent no 1 is.)

Getting the licence is the easy bit. Getting the first job is the hard bit. There won't be much hiring any time soon which is why you should be prepared to mark time if necessary, or move at the drop off a hat: but at some point there will be jobs. The conveyor belt of age and illness never stops. 3 or 4% of pilots retire or lose their medicals every year.

When the hiring starts you need to stand out from the crowd: Just sending CVs won't do you any favours. You need to network. Meet people. Make friends. Pilots hand in CVs for their friends. They vouch for them etc. Join an airline in a non flying role of necessary, whatever gets you close to the decision makers. Think outside the box.

The best time to introduce yourself to a chief pilot? Just after you've saved one of his kids from drowning. No one needs to know you pushed the kid in....😉

I'm retiring from the Air Force in Jan 2023 at age 44. If it looks like the aviation industry is on an upswing by then, I plan to start a commercial pilot training track at Blue Line Aviation. If not, I've got a BS in electrical engineering and a MS in project management to fall back on. So far, I've got the cash to pay for school without loans and a lifetime of retirement checks from Uncle Sugar. With about 9 months of training and 20-24 months of instructing I should be entering the job market in mid 2025 at age 47 with no debt. It feels like a solid plan but I'm always open to feedback!

G'day Nuke Dukem,
It depends on where you see yourself WRT aviation. If you see yourself left seat with a major airline, I hate to say it, it probably won't work. If regionals are your thing, then it's feasible (caveat - check historical hiring). Bizjets might appeal more - it depends on home life stability and so on.
So I would think about where you see yourself in 10 years time, ie 57 and what your goals are. If you can do it all and still be debt free, great. I would research the hiring practices of where you see yourself. eg have they historically taken older low houred pilots etc. The US does have the 1500 hour rule too.
You still have a couple of years to assess the plan too. Oh - find out what the Class 1 medical requirements are and see if you meet them. You don't necessarily need to do the medical, just ask your local doc to assess you on X parameters. :)

Any way, you seem to have given it some sensible thought. Good luck.

Thanks for the input, Redsnail. The training program I am doing includes 1500 hours so I will be entering the workforce at age 47 ready for the FAA ATP/CTP with about 6 months of reserve income in the bank to help smooth out the transition. Honestly, I think I would be completely fine just flying left seat at a regional or right seat at a major. My main motivation for flying is to have fun and travel, so the salary isn't so much an issue; especially since I will have additional income from my military pension. I can tell that corporate office life isn't for me (fluorescent lighting is bad for the soul). I want to learn a skill and then go out and do it!

My last two commanders retired and went straight to the airlines. I have spoken with both of them about hiring practices and the Class 1 physical. Neither of them thought I would have a problem finding work or getting medically qualified at that age. Heck, one of them gets disability from the Air Force and he breezed through his Class 1. If they are still in the industry by 2025 I will also have connections to the airlines through them.

Lightheart

Well done.I fully agree..Ex military started a new era at 48....

If you have to ask - yes!

NO!

That's a terrible thing to say...

I worried that at 38 I was too old but when I asked on here it was pointed out that if I qualify in two years I could still have a 25 year career.

Well, 32 is fine. Keep your current job and work towards a pilot career. I was hired by a major airline at 35, many others are older. Here in the US, I advise many to look into getting on with the Air Guard or reserves. Great military training, paid to train and build time.

I haven't read this complete thread, but I'll throw in my own experience. Finished my ratings just after age 30, retired 8 years ago as captain on the 747-400 with a top-tier carrier, age 65. Flight instructed for a year, flew piston twin charter for 2 years, corporate jets for 9 years, then 121. Had the 4-year degree.

Hello

Just looking through this forum. Am a career changer, wound down my old business late 2019 with the intent of training modular, but full time, left school at 18 & been self employed for 12 years, with enough in the bank to cover the training costs a few times over - no debts, but no degree either (UK).

I am 31 (32 in Feb) and passed my PPL back in March 2020, days before the world went into this tailspin.

Been working on the theory through lockdown and am sitting on 95% average no failures on 10/14 ATPL subjects (taking the last 4 in a month). Class 1 medical, no issues.

Bit unnerved by some comments that airlines prefer younger, realistically, what is the typical age for intake into airline cadet schemes??? Been looking at the Ryanair Gateway schemes with Bartolini & VA in Cambridge - seen some posts on here saying Ryanair - off the record - aren't interested in older.

I am aware of the dreadful jobs market, was dreadful when I was 18 (in 2008 financial crash) but it recovered.

My question, I am certain that the airlines will recover, but if that is slow & realistically my first chance at a job is late 30's (assuming CPL etc is all passed this year, then a few years treading water if there are no jobs). Do I stand a chance, or am I :mad: in the wind :sad:

Of course. You've got 30 years left. You either want it or you don't, stop looking for someone to talk you out of it.

"Several times over" you say... Just how much are we talking? Have you considered helicopters as well? A dual rating would give you more options.

My advice would be if Airlines is the dream, you should see if it realistic to have a job by the time you are 45. Expect 2 - 3 years from you finish training until you might get the chance of a job (this is in Euro land)

Starting training anytime in your 30's is not to late, even if you are 39, as long as you can see a realistic chance of a job at approx 45.
Any later I would not bother, the risk and time is to big. Cost vs earning is just not worth it, unless you have loads of spare cash and no family to worry about.

Lad's, interesting read....Im 49 and back in 2002 i commenced my PPL. After racking up a little over 30hrs and having completed my PPL theory exam i was made redundant from my work, then the only flying school in the town where i lived closed down. One thing led to another and i never got back into it. After a 19yr gap I've just returned to the left seat with what was a plan to complete my PPL, whilst at my aero club and discussing life with my instructor (Who has been flying since 1970 and instructing since 1978) and one of his former students who is now a CFI and flying 208's in charter i was asked if id considered continuing on and getting my commercial. I hadn't considered this as i thought that i was getting on and may struggle with finding work. They've both given me much encouragement and advised that if I'm happy working in GA (Which i am) then ill have no issues finding work.

So ive just booked myself in for the first of the seven CPL exams with a hope now of obtaining my commercial in early 2023..little over a year away. If i end up flying GA commercially for as long as i can maintain a Class 1 medical which is hopefully into my late 60's then ill be a happy man knowing ive spent my latter working life doing something that ive always wanted to do.

Im a firm believe in if you want something bad enough, and if you work hard at it then it will come. Hopefully in a few years time i'll be getting paid to fly and my only regret will be that i didn't do it when i was younger instead of regretting that i never did it at all!

Congrats on pursuing your dream!

This being said, make sure that:

- you don't close the door to whatever profession was feeding you until now. Keep yourself updated and ready to go back to it in a moment notice. As good as things may look in aviation you never know when you'll need it
- you don't get into anything dangerous just because you feel the pressure to gain experience in GA. Your area is Western Australia and I've got no idea how things are over there, but I can tell you that in the rest of the world GA MIGHT mean unsafe conditions and poor salaries (maybe that is one of the reasons why you'll have no issues finding job), and some employers MIGHT see in you the chance of cutting corners for a profit.

Great points mate which are well worth taking into consideration, Im fortunate enough to have spent the last 21yrs in mining (mineral processing), worked in supervision, training and superintendent level roles and it is always a job i can fall back into very easily with my experience. Ill be continuing to work in this industry working a two weeks on/two weeks off roster whilst i build up the hrs and gain my commercial. On top of that i also have my trade as a mechanical fitter which would also see me employed very easily at the drop of a hat.

Im not one to cut corners, or work for someone that does...ill be under no pressure financially to find my first job in aviation (Or stay in it) so i wont be taking short cuts or working for someone that does. If i have safety concerns with the way a companies operating and they aren't interested in sorting them out then ill be out the door!

Hi there! I started modular atpl at 29 and now this year i am close to end my training at 32. Working full time and raise a baby plus pandemic was hard but i never considered to give up! now there is light to the end of the tunnel but we have the war in europe , an other problem. Do not wait for someone to tell you that your age is good or not .Just chase your dream and fly,study and work hard an the end you will be ok with your self! no matter the outcome!

Turning 50
 

I have been a pediatrician for the past 22 years in the United States, but I plan to switch career to become a commercial airlines pilot in three years. I would like to wait until my son goes to college before my flight training.

I have no flight experience, but I will be a third-generation pilot in my family. My grandfather was in the first Chinese air force, and both of my uncles were fighter jet pilots (they subsequently flew commercial after retirement from the air force).

I plan to complete my training by 55, so I can still fly for 10 years in commercial airlines. I live 10 minutes away from an airport in Long Beach, California.

Doc,
you may want to punt this question over to more of a US audience. Suggest www.airlinepilotforums.com

good luck,

I think this thread is exactly what I've been Googling!
26, Software Engineer, degree in Computer Science. It's a good career. It pays well and I kept my job over the pandemic, but it's just not for me. I'm about to reach out to a local school to start working towards my PPL. Being in work, cost isn't too much of an issue. My two main concerns were around how my age would come into play if I was to make a move towards becoming a commercial pilot and what exactly the best path is for me to take. I'm aware I would be taking a huge pay cut and it would cost a lot to get there. Seems like there is a lot of information out there, almost to the point where ?I have no idea where to look. I almost feel ridiculous even thinking about it.

I guess from the title of this sticky, I'm not too old then?

26 is prime time to start flying, you'll be done your training by 28 and have Airline minimums by 30-32. The more mature you are the more desirable you are for an employer at all levels

Job Prospects for a 30+ year old...
 

Hi all,

I'm shortly to head to Poland to complete my flying training, however, I am a bit concerned about job prospects once I finally have my licence in hand...

I am 31 years old, so getting on a bit compared to many coming out of the 'big' schools, but I have worked in the Aviation industry for 15+ years in a variety of roles, including; Ramp Agent, Dispatcher (Turnaround Coordinator), Ops, Ramp & Dispatch Trainer for a UK holiday airline, as well as in Management - Ramp Manager, Ground Operations Manager and currently as an Airport Manager, working between 2 airports for a large Ground Handling company.

Would this likely work in my favour having experience in the industry or are airlines / commercial operators preferring younger Pilots to join their ranks?

I got my PPL in 2009, but due to finance (mainly), it's taken until now to be able to afford to complete the rest of my training. At the end of it all I will have an EASA CPL/MEIR + MCC/JOC. It's been a long-term investment in terms of time and money, so whilst nothing is ever guaranteed, I suppose i'm just searching for some re-assurance that i'm not being put out to grass just yet!

Honest feedback would be appreciated.


Scott.

Trust me you are fine. Finish your training and just start applying. 30’s is still very young

You have excellent credentials - go for it.

I have a similar story but with less of an aviation career background pre-licenses and an extra 8 years ahead of you.... it takes all sorts and any experience is good experience. What the kids have in potential career longevity and being a fresh slate to mould, we make up for in proven resilience, people skills and realistic expectations!

Good luck with it!

31 is old? Is this some kind of joke?

Thank you. I definitely intend to - all being well by the end of the year i'll be submitting applications.

Great, thanks!

Thanks very much. I hope you're right.

I don't think it is - The last 15 years i've had time to learn a lot about the industry and what's goes on outside the cockpit in other departments.

The reason I asked this is because when i've talked to colleagues and others about going to Poland for 2 months to complete my flying training, i've had a few comments along the lines of "Aren't you about 10 years too old to start being a Pilot?" I suppose I was looking for some re-assurance from those within the industry that I do definitely still have as a good a chance as anyone of a flying career.

Were those colleagues pilots?

Changing career any time outside your early 20's often gets met with the "aren't you a bit late to start that" comment. Less people than you'd think have the imagination to consider a career change possible after about 27 years old... they're just trying to pass that lack of imagination on to you!

(P.S. Where in Poland are you going?)

No, ground-based colleagues.

Although it is essentially a career change, my ultimate goal has always to be a commercial Pilot... ever since I was 5 years old. However, i've tried to stay within the industry to help my experience and personal development - I suppose it could be seen as a stepping stone to where I want to be...

I was lined up to go to Smart Aviation but i've heard some worrying things lately, so will now likely be going to Adriana. Going over in a couple of weeks to visit both and make a final decision.

IF you genuinely think you are over the hill at 30ish, try at 49! I am about to start my TR and onto BT in the hope of a career in aviation.

How much I wish I had taken the step in my 30's but family commitments and constraints meant I wasn't able to but I kept that drive and determination going that one day I will...

Keep going...

P.S Check my thread I've started :)

At my airline we’ve hired 60 year olds …..you’re fine airline begins with U …….

Thought as much... most of the pilots I've talked to have always been very supportive when it comes to age... the most negative thing I've heard is that sometimes it might be the case where if its a straight choice between someone like us and a young buck, the airline will naturally see a longer investment in the younger guy. But that shouldn't dissuade, if you've got the skills, you'll find something!

I went to Smart, finished at the end of May. Had a really great time. Feel free to PM me if you want a detailed opinion.

I was short listed for selection for TUIs experienced pilot non airline background scheme at 42. Interview cancelled due to covid. Although I am not low houred it still shows 31 age wise is no issue if getting to the airlines is your thing.

Hi Scott C,

I am 35 and in a similar situation as you are (although a bit older, hope not too old still) since I am going to start ground training for ATPL. I did PPL a couple of years ago, and as many of us here, have this dream job and life ever since I remember, so I decided I should try and hopefully, achieve it.

My main concerns are job prospects when I finish everything in 1,5-2 years time or so, probable recession, terms and conditions, pay to fly as potential only choice, and least important, being the "grandpa" in the theory classes :) compared to 18-20 yo lads. Even considering all these big uncertainties and hurdles, I decided to go for it...

Best of luck, we sure need it!