What can pilots work as after retirement?
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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What can pilots work as after retirement?
What jobs would be available to an ex-pilot with 12 years as a captain on B777 and 35+ years of flying experience? Instructing? Consulting? Safety? I know an extremely bored ex-pilot who didn't want to retire!
If he has flown 777 he is already a big boy and knows all about simulator and pilot theory subject instructor jobs.Or drive a long-haul bus or truck. Without any other trade or skill, pilots are generally not good for much other than any of the above.
Aviation consulting/auditing is a double-wank and already over-subscribed, so not much to be had there.
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that is the real tragedy in life in general.
at 60 you are in fine mental form.
usually quite fit.
but the world wants people more conversant with technologies that weren't even around 10 years ago.
virtually in the middle of it myself. I don't have an answer.
what I can tell you is that pilots aren't the only group of people faced with this.
maybe that is why old people take up gardening. it is cheap and no one prevents it.
for all the young
out there who wanted your job. well sonny jim we all age at the same rate and you arent far behind. 
at 60 you are in fine mental form.
usually quite fit.
but the world wants people more conversant with technologies that weren't even around 10 years ago.
virtually in the middle of it myself. I don't have an answer.
what I can tell you is that pilots aren't the only group of people faced with this.
maybe that is why old people take up gardening. it is cheap and no one prevents it.
for all the young
out there who wanted your job. well sonny jim we all age at the same rate and you arent far behind.
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Why on earth would any sane person wish to work after retirement? I retired at 58 and was lucky enough to have 10 years with my wife before she died. The day I retired I vowed never to work again. I never have and never will.
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Why on earth would any sane person wish to work after retirement? I retired at 58 and was lucky enough to have 10 years with my wife before she died. The day I retired I vowed never to work again. I never have and never will.
If money is not an issue why not volunteer at a community service organization? Unless the person you are asking about has significant experience outside of the cockpit then consulting is not an option. As someone has already mentioned "aviation safety" consultants are not an endangered species. Honestly if he is bored then he is no different to a kid on school holidays, there is always stuff to do.
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Or their nest egg has been hived away by GFC
Restructured plan, 40% shares, 60% term deposit and what happens to the interest rates? From 8.5% down to 4.85%
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The problems with retirement at 60, when you're still mostly in good working shape, are;
1. "Relevance deprivation syndrome". The loss of everyday workmates and the workplace makes you feel as though you're worthless and irrelevant. The loss of a regimented job schedule often leaves one feeling at a loss every day as to what to do.
2. Loss of status. As a Captain, you enjoy substantial status in society and amongst peers and associates. Suddenly, in an instant, it's virtually all gone. You're just another Joe Blow in the street.
It's a struggle to get the people you now meet as a retiree to regard you with the status you once held. It's like starting as a trainee all over again.
3. A need to feel useful in society. When we're employed in a job with status, we feel a useful part of our society. With retirement comes the feeling that you're no longer useful to society.
One has to plan for this and map out retirement jobs and plans exactly as one maps out our career.
As a Captain with a wide range of aviation skills, an aviation training area is where you would be of most use. However, the chances of any aviation training organisation or business employing a person over 60, is very small indeed.
You could write a book, if you feel you have adequate skills to do so. Even just a book about your experiences, both funny and sombre, can often be a project that will keep you occupied for a number of years.
You could start up your own business as a trainer or aviation consultant. This does require business skills and a knowledge of what is required, or in demand in the aviation field.
You could totally forget about aviation and take up a business franchise of some kind. I've seen retired pilots who have enjoyed immensely, the transition to a small business operation, totally unrelated to aviation.
At 60, and physically fit, you have at least 10 and possibly 15 years before you really need to slow down - and you'll find that in your early 70's, working full time will have lost its appeal.
Accordingly, plan something that will occupy that period of time and which allows you to gradually scale down your workload and working hours as you reach your early-to-mid 70's.
1. "Relevance deprivation syndrome". The loss of everyday workmates and the workplace makes you feel as though you're worthless and irrelevant. The loss of a regimented job schedule often leaves one feeling at a loss every day as to what to do.
2. Loss of status. As a Captain, you enjoy substantial status in society and amongst peers and associates. Suddenly, in an instant, it's virtually all gone. You're just another Joe Blow in the street.
It's a struggle to get the people you now meet as a retiree to regard you with the status you once held. It's like starting as a trainee all over again.
3. A need to feel useful in society. When we're employed in a job with status, we feel a useful part of our society. With retirement comes the feeling that you're no longer useful to society.
One has to plan for this and map out retirement jobs and plans exactly as one maps out our career.
As a Captain with a wide range of aviation skills, an aviation training area is where you would be of most use. However, the chances of any aviation training organisation or business employing a person over 60, is very small indeed.
You could write a book, if you feel you have adequate skills to do so. Even just a book about your experiences, both funny and sombre, can often be a project that will keep you occupied for a number of years.
You could start up your own business as a trainer or aviation consultant. This does require business skills and a knowledge of what is required, or in demand in the aviation field.
You could totally forget about aviation and take up a business franchise of some kind. I've seen retired pilots who have enjoyed immensely, the transition to a small business operation, totally unrelated to aviation.
At 60, and physically fit, you have at least 10 and possibly 15 years before you really need to slow down - and you'll find that in your early 70's, working full time will have lost its appeal.
Accordingly, plan something that will occupy that period of time and which allows you to gradually scale down your workload and working hours as you reach your early-to-mid 70's.
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Retirement?? Never been so busy
Drive School busses, mini rail steam engines, treasurer of a club, local community bus committee, Lions International, 3 grand children, small Aviation consultancy.
10 acres of bush to live on, cut firewood, feed free range Kangaroos, pink and grey parrots, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a wife of 45 years snapping at my heals.
So went Tuesday 27th August 2013, tomorrow busier at a Field Day 100ks away.
I need a job to get a day off.
Drive School busses, mini rail steam engines, treasurer of a club, local community bus committee, Lions International, 3 grand children, small Aviation consultancy.
10 acres of bush to live on, cut firewood, feed free range Kangaroos, pink and grey parrots, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a wife of 45 years snapping at my heals.
So went Tuesday 27th August 2013, tomorrow busier at a Field Day 100ks away.
I need a job to get a day off.
Might want to check with an aircraft manufacturer about becoming a flight test pilot - they don't have the same age restrictions as commercial aviation.
A few years ago, when Boeing was busy certifying the 787 and 747-8, as well as all the 'normal' production flight testing, they brought back several retired flight test pilots as contract employees. It was actually kind of cool to see the old guys back around
A few years ago, when Boeing was busy certifying the 787 and 747-8, as well as all the 'normal' production flight testing, they brought back several retired flight test pilots as contract employees. It was actually kind of cool to see the old guys back around
"However, the chances of any aviation training organisation or business employing a person over 60, is very small indeed."
Most of what you say one-track is good advice, but I have to disagree with the above. I am closer to 70 than 60 now and find training work very much available - notwithstanding CASA's efforts to make it unattractive.
Of course it helps to have done checking and training in a former life. My advice to pilots who showed aptitude (and had the experience to be credible) was always to take on training, then checking, to cement their future. Pilots who have taken the soft option of merely flying the line all their career are less likely to be able to remain in aviation in their dotage.
Most of what you say one-track is good advice, but I have to disagree with the above. I am closer to 70 than 60 now and find training work very much available - notwithstanding CASA's efforts to make it unattractive.
Of course it helps to have done checking and training in a former life. My advice to pilots who showed aptitude (and had the experience to be credible) was always to take on training, then checking, to cement their future. Pilots who have taken the soft option of merely flying the line all their career are less likely to be able to remain in aviation in their dotage.
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Flying after forced retirement.
Are we the only profession, that by legislation, is forced to retire at an arbitrary age? Any specific reason? I am still fit and able to perform in the cockpit to the required standard, and my medical certificate shows Class1. I would dearly like to continue flying, until my medical becomes invalid, or I do not meet the required standard when assessed in the simulator or during a check ride. Since there is a pilot shortage world wide, it seems wasteful to ignore a pool of experience that is willing, available and able to continue working. No one tells a Doctor or lawyer to stop practicing at a specific age....why have aviators been targeted?
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Originally Posted by Mach E Avelli
Aviation consulting/auditing is a double-wank and already over-subscribed, so not much to be had there.
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BEFORE you take a job as a pilot, get the education you need to continue with a different, non-aviation job should you lose your license or medical certificate. Then refresh or continue that education during your flying career.
https://www.latestpilotjobs.com/jobs/view/id/145.html
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Are we the only profession, that by legislation, is forced to retire at an arbitrary age? Any specific reason? I am still fit and able to perform in the cockpit to the required standard, and my medical certificate shows Class1. I would dearly like to continue flying, until my medical becomes invalid, or I do not meet the required standard when assessed in the simulator or during a check ride. Since there is a pilot shortage world wide, it seems wasteful to ignore a pool of experience that is willing, available and able to continue working. No one tells a Doctor or lawyer to stop practicing at a specific age....why have aviators been targeted?
I lasted less than 2 weeks after retiring as an ATCO at 60 before getting bored and getting a job as a FISO (Flight Information Service Officer)
Avoid imitations
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Me? I'm already over "normal" mandatory retirement age for aircrew but still going...so not bitching...there are a few ways.
