Proud you should be.
Well done

OK here goes...

Pushing 58 next month and staring at the imminent rocking chair has induced last-chance panic... UK PPL (converting to EASA), FAA CPL/ME/IR 500 hours or so logged, non commercial and very little recent experience apart from a UK PPL(G) completed last year .. failed CAA class 1 medical over 20 years ago which ended my aspirations for the airlines but situation now means I have a chance of passing it now, I have an understanding wife who will support me and some cash in the bank, probably enough for the EASA CPL/ME/IR, currently live in the Caribbean with easy access to Florida. I had a recent conversation with a UK flight school owner who convinced me if I had an FI rating he would hire me.. so maybe, just maybe this could be my last chance to get a flying job; so just maybe I should dump the well payed corporate chains for an FI, never to fly the big stuff, but at least to end my working life in an aircraft..

Honestly, am I too old?

I guess the question is not so much "are you too old?"... but more "what do you want to get out of it?". I don't see age as being a real issue if you are just going to go the FI route. Especially, if you can have a "serious" talk with that flight school owner about getting employment once qualified... perhaps offer to do all the (re)training required to get your FI rating throught their school?

Anyway, as I see it, your main issue is really "ROI"... As you yourself have already indicated, flying "The Big Stuff"™ isn't really going to be an option. So, your chances of recouping the costs involved of getting your quals is going to be fairly minimal. While you might have the cash to be able to do this now, where is that going to leave you for your inevitable retirement if you don't make it back through your wages/salary as an FI (assuming you can get employment)?

If the desire is simply to fly and your corporate chains are "well paid" enough... have you considered simply sticking with that and using the extra cash to fund a lifestyle where you get to fly "what you want, when you want" by adding an MEIR to your existing licence? I'm not overly familiar with the UK/EU scene, but I assume that as a private pilot you can get an IR and a ME rating on a PPL? Perhaps even a share in a warbird syndicate or something?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it should be a hard no... but that you need to consider the ramifications of sinking all your cash reserves into this endeavour, as, unfortunately, you don't have the luxury of another 20-30 years to "rebuild" if it doesn't pan out.

Brachetta;

Wish you good luck. You can and you will attain your goal. Stay motivated. Try to visualize yourself as if you are a Captain in you favorite airline. You will see a miracle.

First time Commercial Pilot at age 48 - Looking for insights and advice, please.
 

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some insights and advice.

I am considering taking on the Integrated training program (FATPL with one of the Irish flight training academys). I will be 48 when I complete the program.

I would very much appreciate any insights or advice you would offer as to a future career as a commerical pilot within the aviation industry.

All advice is welcome.

Thank you.

Hello, I’ve just tried to reply to your PM, but your in box is full !

Cheers,

L8

Hi FATPLat48,
Can you afford to lose €150,000 and still be in good shape for retirement? What I mean is that the market in 2 years could be in a real slow down and unless you're on a tagged scheme (that is, already inline to start immediately after completion) you could struggle to find a decent paying job. As a new CPL holder, at best you'll earn €30K give or take or at worse, nothing. If you don't find a job soonish, you'll need to pay for an instrument rating renewal and they aren't cheap. First of all, get a health check done. Find what the class 1 requirements are and trot along to your docs and get the various checks done, biggies are blood pressure, vision, hearing, diabetes and balance.

For sure, you could be on a tagged scheme, go straight to a jet job, make command in 3-5 years and you're laughing. That is the best outcome possible.
If this doesn't happen, are you so financially prepared to accept lower paying jobs and still be in good shape for retirement? I'm sure you're thinking, easy, 17 years to recoup the costs. In theory, yep, you're right. Plan for at least 1 redundancy and move in that time frame. Yes, that does sound like worst case scenarios but you'll thank me.

Many of us who are in our mid 50s and older are looking at part time to regain the work/life balance and to ease into retirement.

Good luck. If you really want to do it, then you will, just listen to those who are already doing what you want to do and who aren't trying to sell you anything. ;)

The expression “old dog and new tricks” springs to mind.
Age has a definite impact on the learning curve. Depending just what your present employment is, and how academic you were in your youth are critical factors.

Go down the modular route. Get your class one medical, obtain your PPL, and then decide if you are really are suitable to proceed further.
The most likely occupation for someone of your age is as a flying instructor.

If you have money to burn, and the cost of the course is insignificant then go for it.
If this is not the case, DON’T.......

Thanks L8starter,

Can you post to this thread?

Please and thanks.

What parkfell said......

Thank you parkfell, appreciate your frankess and honesty.

Thank you redsnail.

I appreciate your frankness and insights, some food for thought indeed.

Thank you.

Thank you TheEdge

FATPLat48, you sent me a PM asking if I would be prepared to have a chat with you, and to which I agreed. I PM’d you back with a personal contact detail, which I am not going to post publicly.

You have received some good advice. I remember what it was like when I was making a similar decision all those years ago; not knowing anyone in aviation; trying to source and receive sound information, or opinions from those “in the know”; worrying about the finances (it was a little different then, I went through the “self-improver route”, worked during the week (to support the family), Instructed part-time at the weekends, built the hours, and self-studied at home for the CPL (to get a BCPL), and then the ATPL; it took eight years from start to finish, and no guarantee of a job at the end of it. It felt very lonely at times, and my friends, who only used to think I was mad, became firmly convinced that I was ! Having spent over twenty years in commercial aviation, I am now inclined to agree with them . . . .

For all the advice you will receive, only you can make, and then live with, a decision. Sometimes, it helps just hearing yourself talking through things, to get stuff straight in your mind, and help you move forward, which is why I offered to have a chat; not so much to offer you advice, or tell you what to do, because nobody is going to do that. Talk with as many people as possible, it does help, even if it’s not what you (in your heart of hearts) want to hear . .

L8

Hi Everyone, I'd like to ask your advice on my situation if i may. I've read a lot of posts from different people, from different walks of life, at different points in their career and the advice has been food for thought. I would like to tailor it to me personally though if I can!

I am 40 years old and I completed my PPL over the space of 4 weeks last summer. A lot later than planned!
I was due to attend RAF Cranwell back in 1997 before life threw a few curve balls. I was shortlisted for a sixth form scholarship before this, having passed aptitude tests, medical etc and my pathway to fast jet was set. Alas it was not to be and I made a career in civvy street instead.
I missed the cutoff to fly in the raf but at 26 I applied for aircrew, looking at loadmaster. I passed all tests but was put on a two year waiting list for aircrew so joined as an engineer intending to transfer later (recruiters will tell you anything to get you to sign kids!) Transferring was not a realistic option and I left the forces without fulfilling my dream of flying.

Now that life is stable, and a PPi claim landed £7k in my lap, I've finally earned my wings on my own and feel like that 17yr old kid again. I would love to now turn to Cargo or Passenger flights but as I'm NOT 17 i'm unsure how feasible it will be.
The theory, the test, medicals etc shouldnt pose a problem. I'm not rich but have about £1k of spare cash a month if I behave myself so could get at least 10hrs a week in the air. This should get me to 200hrs in around 18months. I'm self employed with an online business which gives me a lot of flexibility to get to an airfield whenever its clear!

So, I'm a 42yr old with CPL, looking at the future. I've got about 18years flying ahead of me (is that right?) I could hopefully get a job as an FI and earn while racking up my hours, another 12-18months and i'd hopefully have close to the 1500 needed for ATPL (from work and private hours).
I'm now probably 44, and looking for a FO role with an airline........Realistically - with competition from the young twentysomethings or experienced thirtysomethings - will I have a chance of landing a role with an airline?
I know it's illegal to discriminate on age, but if you have two pilots with the same skills and one can provide an extra decade or two of service then will the older chap have much of a chance?

I don't care about the politics of the job, I just want to earn a good wage, be in the air, see a bit of the world, and get a break from the wife and kids for half the month :)
I know there is no guarantee of ever getting to the left chair of an airline (or even the right!) but will being in my early 40's make it harder than at any other time of my life?

Thanks in advance guys

The cynic in me suggests that the older pilot is actually more attractive because he'll have less time to move up the payscale and will thus cost less... and can be replaced with another low earner sooner! :suspect:

Realistically, this is the point where your attitude and personality become the determining factor, as theoretically, anyone with the appropriate licences/medicals has the "same skills". I was 43 when I got hired into the RHS of a regional turboprop... I know a number of 20-30somethings who didn't make it.


The answer is yes... but that's probably more to do with your physical and mental wellbeing, than any sort of age discrimination you might face... It is just a fact of life that the body and brain are on a downward spiral from your early 20s. It makes learning harder, it makes dealing with the long hours/overnights/timezones/physiological demands harder... hell, some days it just makes getting out of bed to make a cup of tea harder! :{

It's not impossible, I'm living proof... but as I always told people "I'm too dumb and too stubborn to give up"... I've had to sacrifice an awful lot to get where I am, but my username reflects how I feel about life at this point in time. Even when I have to get up at "o'Dark thirty" for my "Stupid dream job" :}

Never too old to do something you're passionate about. Keep up the good work!

What now? I Guess this whole pandemic has thrown in some dirt for the oldies to start ? Myself (36) postponed the plan to start integrated ( 2 offers MPL) and will continue modular spread over 3-4 years .... Any of you doing the same?

Thinking about it for sure.