too old
 

Thinking of changing career. At 33 am I too old for commercial pilot sponsorship programmes

Too old rubbish!!! I started at 33 self sponsored myself through the ATPL etc. and now fly B737, I am now 35. Go for it if you love it.

Reddemon

I'm also 33 (34 in August), about to sit Tech ATPL grounds (I passed all Navs first sit :) ) and full of expectatives :) .

Don't fool yourself with excuses and prejudices. The field is highly competitive for all: young and "old". If you're good, you'll have as many chances as anybody else.

Go for it!!!!!!

PS Batty, how many hours did you have when you were first employed?

[This message has been edited by Joaqu'n (edited 27 May 2001).]

Got my first flying job at 37 (jets) sure beats digging roads.

You're definitely not too old, but the highest age limit I have seen for sponsorship is 31 (Channel Express I think)

One of my former flight instructors landed his first airline job with 48 !! (F/O on a RJ100). Now he is captain on the RJ100.
I'm 36 and start next week at Crossair as F/O. Initially started for my childhood dream with 33 (Self sponsored: took me that long to get the bucks in my pocket). Now the dream has come true !
Never give up !!

All the best, good luck and go for it !

rtt

I am 33, nearly 34. Been thinking about it for ages. Just sold my house, and every other possession to get the money together for an ab-initio course. Three quarters of the way through my PPL as we speak.
I could be on the road to financial ruin, but boy is it fun?????

"I am going to enjoy this!"

Started hours building in August '98 whilst working in California.
Am resigning from position on 6th July 2001.
Now FAA PPL, IR, Complex, 400TT with 35 ME.
Was 34, now 36yrs, starting OATS JAA650 on 20th August.
Tis a dawning prospect leaving my current position and moving back to the UK with no job or salary for the first time ever!

Have any of you guys had to juggle a mortgage and 3 kids aswell ??? I would have to try to hour build on weekends and keep my job going also. Any suggestions??

Batty,
you might just be my saviour, can you give us a quick summary of how you progressed through the ranks. I'm sure there are lots of Wannabes who would benefit from your experiences.

Deputy Dog,
I'm 34 (35 in July) 2 Kids, 1 Wife and associated Mortgage 3/4 way through PPL and Loving it.

p.s. Started PPL in May and don't intend to let up until I'm sat in that right hand seat.



[This message has been edited by Cypres (edited 13 June 2001).]

Deputy Dog,

I am 46, Frozen ATPL, 970 hours, MCC, Perf. A, C & E. I have a wife, son and a mortgage.

I built my hours by instructing part-time in the evenings and at week-ends. It was quite hard on the family at times because I was basically working 7 days a week.

Still trying to land that first job although I did get an interview recently without success.

If you want any further info post your e-mail address.

Flysundone,

Thats two of us then! This is more like the reality. I am in a similar position to you, and it never gets any easier.

Wannabee............nice

Nearly be...........bl##dy difficult

Chin chin everyone :)

JWF

Hi Flysundone,

Tell me all !!!!!

[email protected]

I'm 34, and it's taken me this long to realise that my childhood goal of becoming a pilot is more than achievable. I start full time training in the not too distant future.

A little bit more money, a few less excuses and I'd have been here ten years ago!

Unemployed and 55...
I'd love to start over... had two airlines just stop ops.
Now out on the street again...

Try to get it in when ya can.

My job search has turned up nothing in two months....BS aero engr...10000 plus hours...USAF C 141 pilot..

Its been a tough career.../The wife cant stand it... its hard on the family when you can only drive an airplane.

Sell cars. Sail boats.

Portcullis,

I am in the exact same situation as you - same age,same goal and about to start. Would appreciate your thoughts on where you are going to train.

hi everyone who has responded to this
Here's my story.Started flying in June last year, PPL/IMC 100hrs t/t, just started atpl's (home study).I'm married,2 kids with fulltime job and a mortgage. Age 35 soon to be 36.I am going for this! I'm of average iq couple of gcse's, plumber by trade (handy for some of the phsyics involved)
Life is too short. If it's what you want to do, BLOODY GO AND DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!