25, 1,400hrs - available for Barmitzvars, Weddings and Birthdays.

23

700TT
500 on the water! Ya gotta come to Canada and get wet.

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then, out of the blue, applied and got short listed for a Britannia sponsorship -- then the recession hit and it was withdrawn.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. http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif 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. ;)

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.

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!!!

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.

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
;) :) ;)

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!

Hello!
18 years old, 49 hrs, PPL
Currently doing Aeromechanical Systems Engineering degree at Cranfield Uni.

Want to be a BA left-seat pilot!!!

23 yrs old, 1400hrs.

Off to the sim later this month on a nice modern turboprop.

Come on!!!!!!!!

PS hint of advice for a wanabee, go and get a instructors rating to show the CP that you can fly, it WILL get you a job.

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).]

20, 2300TT, FAA commercial, Instructor, Frozen JAA ATPL, still doing minor bizjet and instructing in the US, dont want to go back to the UK.(yeah, i know im crazy)

20 years old 150 TT night rating going to Oxford in june to study for ATPL. :) :) :)

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.

21 years old, PPL and Night, 65 hrs, in final year of Aero Eng degree, recently applied to BA (like everyone else..)

Happy flying!
JT8

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!!!

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!

hey there
22 with 400 hrs
and just can't stop thinking of aviation. :)
soooo looks like we are from all over the place and all ages.
thats cool :)

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)

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 thought I'd resurrect this thread, if only to make myself feel a little old.

Me?? 29 years - Intensive PPL booked for June in the US. :)

I aim to leave my current job next April, when I should be in a position to start the complex training.

regards

------------------
Half man, Half jalfrezi.

Haven't had time to read the rest of the thread, but I'll respond anyway.

I'm 23, with PPL(A) 150hours.

Started off with gliding when I was young, got about 90 hours in there. Then joined UAS while at Uni, got another 100ish there. Then did PPL in about 5 hours, and with a few hours since when I can afford it.

Currently work in R&D in the aviation industry, and have been applying for airline sponsorships for about 3 years, still keep trying. :)

Good to hear of others experiences.

23 PPL - 65hrs.

Planinng on working in Telecomms for next 3 /4 years while building up hours, distance studying and maybe even paying off my student debts.
Also waiting for either the big lottery win, rich relative to pop off or the magical sponsorship to get CPL sooner.


[This message has been edited by Capt Wannabee (edited 10 April 2001).]

Started in 1993 (28)
Job starting 2001 (36)

Dont anyone give up.

At times I thought that I just can't get there but, after lots of silver linings I eventually made it.

I'm 31,engineer by profession, quit my job as project manager for a construction company to go in pursuit of my dream : flying.
I hold frozen ATPL (The Netherlands) and Class 1 Medical and i'm about to spend a fortune for the practical course.

Regards,

OBS

Hi being my first post, i am 19 years old have my PPL and 65 hours TT.

hi i'm 30 390TT still looking for a job!!!!!

36 with 240 hrs total, CPL/IR & frozen ATPL (Swiss). Hired by Crossair as F/O. Will start in June. Can't wait !

Hope to hear you guys somewhere in the air sometimes !

Cheers

rtt

Well, you youngsters, beat this for optimism: I'm 49, had a PPL since 1972 but only got 300 hours - long absences from flying due to family, work and "lack of healthy selfishness" - used to be a tug-pilot and gliding instructor, gold badge and 700 hours, did a couple of competitons in the '70s but haven't flown a glider since 1992. Got a Class 1 medical in 1980 with a view to flying commercially and have maintained it by renewing each time I renewed the PPL medical, keeping the dream alive....In 1999 I was faced with possible redundancy so thought "it's now or never" and so I tried to get through the ATPLs before the JAR system came in....nearly did, but failed to get the partial pass by gnat's whisker TWICE in December 99 with a frantic re-sit when I discovered I'd failed the first time (£££ and effort)....BUT... have now (March 01) FINALLY got through all the UK CPL exams (Nav and Tech)and am booked to start the flying, this weekend, for the JAR CPL (Restricted) licence. Aiming for an instructor rating and eventually an IR and a bit of air taxi work, who knows? I've worked as an engineer for 30 years, looking up wistfully at aeroplanes and now I'm finally doing something about it! Message is...LIVE YOUR DREAM BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

[This message has been edited by old optimist (edited 10 April 2001).]

24 years old, married, program computers for a living.

30 hrs TT. Still young enough for sponsorships, no luck yet but if I fail to nail it before I've built up 150 hours, then it'll be a downgrade of the house to pay for the modular training (the husband is of course 100% behind me on that one :)). Will probably sod the IR for now and go FI route. Then I can help other wannabes.

T'Bird ;)

25, ATPL 2700hrs. B757 SFO, QFI, Examiner.
Loving life and work!! ;)

------------------
AP

29 and just beginning

Ex scuba diving instructor (4 years around the world!) now in television advertising sales but about to beginning begging with the bank for my final career plan!!

------------------
Drive-in banks were established so most of the cars today could see their real owners.

my turn!
i m between 25-35,
between 1500-2000h.
ATP pilot(no frozen, a true ATP pilot) :).I was looking for a job and i will be looking for a job.
I'm the cream of the crabe! ;)

Haven't read the rest of the thread, but hereby proclaim myself...

The Youngest Person on the Forum!

16, about 20HrsTT, go of on Thursday to do my Gliding Scholarship with the ATC.
-tacc

19 - only a glider pilot at the moment but Loganair Twin Otter G-BVVK has my name on it as far as I'm concerned (if it hasn't been written off hitting a sheep on the beach on Barra by the time I qualify) ;)
The BA form goes off again soon!

------------------
You start off with an empty bag of experience and a full bag of luck. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck.

I'm 20 years of age with PPL 150 TT and starting my ATPL in June.

Once again ronchonner is in on the act. And I mean the act. He thinks he is somewhere between the age of 25 and 35. That will look good on a CV. If your ATPL with 2000hrs then how come you are looking for a job.
Stop inflating your own ego and give everyone a break.

22 years old. 2300 hours, 700 multiengine, 200 turboprop/multicrew. UK airline first officer

Very young indeed, but hey, what can I do about it!

And I'm proud to have done it all myself (not a space cadet!), the 50k I owe the bank makes me a bit sick though!

[This message has been edited by Flying Clog (edited 10 April 2001).]

31 years of age

BCPL(A) FI (R)

Spent 10 years in the insurance industry
(yawn) whilst saving up for the licences etc

chucked that game in to go instructing full
time.

35yrs, starting OATS in August '01.
2 Kids one 4yrs and one 1.5 years. Been in California for the past 3 years working in biotech and doing all the FAA licences. Got about 400TT with 20 ME, plus HP & complex. Jumpin ship in July, gonna put my head down and go for it.
Stuff about the class 1 medical..real good advice, was there at xmas this year. Very thoro', older you get, the less likely to pass! Also they do cholesterol testing..if you are on any type of meds, they require your pre-medication blood work, so if ya can take it with you, this will expedite the process.
Anyone starting Oats 650 in August?