How old are you??
 

I'm quizzed at what the average age of we wannabe's is? Some mention that they have kids etc.

I'm 31 and only 10 hours into my PPL, but want to take it all the way....oooeeer!

What do you guys do for a living to fund this crazy habbit?

Let me know there are some older wannabe's out there. I'm feeling old!

I myself am a wannabe, military or commercial i don't know yet, but im 17 years old with 38 hours, 20 of which were awarded to me through the RAF Flying Scholarship Scheme.
Where do you do your flying anyway?

Howdee Yosemite Sam!

You're not that old - there are wannabes who are well into their 40s! As for me I have just turned 30 and will be starting at Cranfield on 27th October. I have sold two of my better investments to fund the training and have spare savings as well which I have thrown into the hat. I have a little bit leftover for a rainy day!

The key thing to remember at our age (i.e. over 30) is that we have to be more motivated than the youngsters. In my case I gave up quite a good (but very boring) job with no real prospects and decided to fulfull a childhood ambition. I am married but fortunately my wife works and we stay in subsidised accommodation.

Good luck!

Monty

A mere youngster! Only kidding.....I am 35 three kids etc......20 hrs into PPL.If flying is what you want go for it......I would rather sit in me rocking chair at 80 yrs saying I tried.....than I could have been.On the finance front I have taken out a loan to finish PPL and pay for ground school ATPLs,borrowed a little extra to pay off credit cards....saving in interest as paid for PPL......Be honest with the wife....A lot of hard work and a lot of money with NO guarantee of work at the end....good luck.

Thanks guys, quite encouraging. I have got the backing of the wife, so thats got to be a bonus.

I just look forward to getting my PPL under my belt and moving onwards and upwards.

Cheers

You young whippersnappers!
I started my Cap 509 course at 38 and borrowed half of the dosh.I have been commercial flying for one and a half years and LOVE IT!!
However a word of caution http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif
I had to become an instructor for a year and a half and then got my first commercial job through a friend.
Younger lads/lasses on the couse did fare better than me but at low thirties my guess would be a good outcome :) As a former Beancounter i would strongly advise allowing for lean times after you have the License - allow for that instructor rating and consequent low pay through the off peak months and the occasional Warrior flight and of course the Multi IR renewal one year on if things don't go smoothly. One friend aged 23 who finished 2 years ago is still looking but did not stay current....fatal!!!
Conclusion...DO IT but be careful out there.

Yosemite Sam

Take your wife up for one of your lessons. It worked with me. My wife was hesitant about me flying until I took her flying over Dublin a few weeks back. However, I must admit, it has just dawned on her that I will be going solo soon.

Good luck with your future ambitions.

I am 31, did 10 years in the police, took some time out to fly as cabin crew , and have just got an H.S.B.C career development loan to fund my training.
I have 40 hours PPL and can't wait to get stuck in to the training.
I am married have 3 kids a large mortgage, but hey, if you dont try you'll never know.

well i feel like the baby of the group!23 here!

regards

whoopwhoop!

28 and just finishing off my PPL.

I have to work in the IT industry to fund my flying and spend many hours as slf. Its not fair

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yet another wannabe

Physically I am 32, mentally probably about 12. :)

I have a wife and a baby daughter. My missus is very supportive and fortunately still works. I will be remortgaging the house soon to pay for my professional training.

I'm 35, wife and son. Worked as an IT contractor for too long... so hopefully will start in Jan and do the whole thing in one.

Here's hoping...........and good luck to the rest of ya!!!!!!!!

I'm 39... and so being realistic won't ever make it onto the big jets... but being paid to fly ANYTHING would beat bankrupting myself and staring at a computer screen all day!!!! So... I'll keep on trying!!! :)

(Money - or a severe lack of it - being my major problem! http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif)

Just Turned 26, PPL/Night 150hours now Studying ATPL's.

Giving up 10 year career in the oil industry in 2 weeks to pursue my training full time.
Hope to be finished and looking for work in April/May.

Scary thing to have to do but hopefully it will be the best decision I've ever made.

Regards

UA

27 years old, 28 hours into my PPL, just over 1 hour solo. You can probably guess my profession.

I'm 27 i finished my licence (IR etc) when i was 25 (March 98), still looking for that first break!

29 years old, female, no ties except a house & cat. Coming to the end of my PPL, and won't be able to afford to keep it up as a hobby, so what else is there? In a dull Marketing job, and determined to stop all that and fly for the rest of my life commercially. Will do it somehow but god only knows how! More than likely that the house will be re-mortgaged for the cause! Scary, but can't imagine anything different.

I'm 27, PPL (60 hours) and still training. About to start ATPL distance (PPSC).

See you all at FL350

God I feel old. 44 years old medical professional hoping to start PPL next year. I suppose it's too late for a career in aviation. ROFL

32-

My wife thinks I'm 'too old for these silly boy's dreams' but what does that matter when it comes from a lady who's idea of fun is shopping for underwear !!
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If things seem under control, you're just not going fast enough. Mario Andretti

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24 like a couple of other wannabees but i feel old!THERES 17YR OLD GUYS AND GIRLS WORKING HARD FOR FLYING JOBS.

Over 21 - 'nuff said. Three dogs. Ex RN; ex Police, now employee of HMG.

Not far off starting PPL.

Ride horses, motorcycles. Try anything.

Life is NOT a rehearsal - do it!

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Me, sweat? I'm that cool, it's condensation.

A while back during a jump seat ride I was asked whether I was going commercial - I'd just got my PPL at the time. When I said I was too old the Captain told me of someone he knew who'd got his first airline job at the age of 54!!! So I think you lot are just young whippersnappers :) :) :)

25 years old, ppl 130 hours.

Start ATPL theory full time in Jan.

I'm 25, PPL with 60 hours and applying for every sponsorship going (hardly unique there!). Failing that I've got to find someway to pay for it all myself - won't be easy on my current engineer's salary!

VTOL

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Volo Ergo Sum

I am 24 and may I say what an inspiration it is to read some of the testaments of the older wannabes.
I was an ATC lad then UAS but became very disillusioned at an impressionable time of my life with the RAF. I decided that there is another way - get a proper job like my
mates and may be settle down with wifey and get a PPL at the weekends. For a while it all went swimmingly. Now though - I'm 24 with a "good" job and I'm in a better position than a lot of people my age. But you
know what ? I'm SOOOOOOO BORED with it all !
Now of course I'm too old to go for RAF (not too bothered about the 'service' anyhow) but I'm still in the running for BA. I know theres shed loads of competition out there but that just makes me want to try harder. I'm also planning on bringing my PPL plans forward somewhat despite huge student debt and just purchasing my first house. Keep on trying everyone - especially you oldies ! Staring at a computer screen for the rest of your life is just not what its all about,
I've learnt that at 24 - I'm just glad I realised it this soon.

Age 32, PPL 85 hours. Just starting ATPL Phase 1 distance learning with OATS. Eternally optimistic!!!

22 (just)... makes me the real youngster around here! I have a PPL and 190h... working towards CAA IR at the moment.

I know of people who are much younger, but I'd say most WB's I've ever met are in the 24-30 age range.

Hi Im only 18 with my PPL just a few weeks away, 38h logged time.(got through the theory exams). Last year in high school. After that comes the army (I live in Finland).
Cheerio
-Soolo

ex-wannabe, 20 years old, just got first job on jets! Good luck everyone, its a hard slog but definately worth while!

I'd rather be up there than down here.

32 years old...got a good job at 19 and have made a great career out of it (Finance) but like so many more people, just want more from life...some people love being bored but most wannabes relish the almost impossible odds. I read a lot on this site about jet pilots being bored with the work most of the time but I dont really buy into this...I could be totally wrong of course but at least the road to boredom will be paved with much excitement.

I am married with no kids and a mortgage or two...my wife if amazingly supportive of me...commenced PPL recently so hope to have this completed incl. 45 hours by, say, mid summer 2001...I'm continually looking out for sponsorship opportunities, same as everyone else.

I cant see myself in my present job in 2/3 years time but also wonder if I have the guts to jump ship and do the Jerez or Oats thing. I'm lucky in that I wont have to borrow for the course so its really up to myself...sounds easy I know and I am very encouraged by most wannabes and professionals but to take that leap of faith is daunting!

Hi,

19, PPL + Night and about 51 hours,

Bye!

[This message has been edited by InTheAir (edited 21 September 2000).]

i am 35,captain on 767,10600 hrs,and still waiting to be a CHIEF PILOT

safe flying..........

Aged 32 here; single; no attachments / dependants (except my local pub!!) i started PPL training 9 yrs ago then discovered Lucifers two partners in crime - women & alcohol!!

Now after many years of hard work & some family inheritance I have finally seen the light!! Who wants to sit in an office looking out at other office blocks, moaning about how dull the works is, how crap the pay is etc etc etc

I have resumed training; PPL is secured, ATPL Phase 1 is less than 6 weeks away thanks to the good folks at OATS.

Money is tight; motivation is the key!! To the girl who posted earlier (Gunjo?) - there is a maxim that I heard in one of my previous jobs - D.A.J.F.D.I - Dont Argue Just f@$%ing Do It

See you all in the crew lounge or on some beach down route!! As Del Boy used to say to Rodney - This time next year we will be Airline Pilots!!!

I started a 509 course at 31 yrs leaving a very good job to do so. finished, waited 4 months got my break and enjoyed the worlds best job for the last 15 months

Go for it .... Never give up the dream !!!

39 http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif
No comment.....

20 years old at the begining of the month and 38 hours into my PPL:-)

Oh yes one day i will be flying a speedbird:-)

B
x

I'm 39 and have a reasonably successful business but have made the decision to go for my JAA CPL/IR frozen ATPL starting with my PPL in November. I'm heartened by all the replies here, since all my family and friends are bamboozelled by my decision. My wife is completely behind me which is the most important thing. I've got three boys, 16, 14 and 11 all the responsibilities that come with a growing family, but hey, I'm like the other guy who said he didn't want to end up at 80 regretting what he could have achieved! Up to now I've only had half dozen hrs in a PA28 but got the 'bug' I'm going to do something I should have done straight out of college! Would love to hear from any guys or gals who are just starting out like me or indeed any pro's out there with advice. Came upon this site by accident and it's great. So Yosemite sam your not alone in your quest!

1. I got my PPL at 26, went USA for 2 years-ish.
2. Came back to UK, did my UK CPL at 28-ish -3. BANG (recession, Australians coming here after their pilot strike, taking all jobs in UK (bastards) etc etc.
4. 38-ish heard about JAA, did UK ATPL to avoid JAA, got job at 39 on the biggest, sexiest Turbo-prop there is.
5. 39-ish Working on it from there.

I'm 23, with 185 hours and a PPL/Night/IMC/Multi and UK ATPLs all passed. Doing my CPL (R)/IR bit at the moment. Working in Operations and just waiting till the break appears......

It doesn't matter what age you are, go for it!!

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Duff, Duff, that Wonderful stuff. Ummmmm Doughnuts