I had a BA flight to jfk (744) a few months back and was amazed when i saw the f/o, can't have been more than 25/26 or at least he was very fresh faced. Sorry not terribly factual but I'd be interested to know the age of the youngest BA f/o, I'd guess the guy I saw was him.

youth
 

Don't know if it was a record but I made 747-200 captain in 1982 at age 31. At that time it was the "top of the line" aircraft.

Nope. I checked out in 1984 at 29. About 5 years later another of our pilots checked out at, I believe, 25 years old.

AFAIK Ba's youngest FO somewhere around 21/22, youngest 744 FO about 24.

Not unusual really given they start as cadets at 19, and the course is just over a year.

DOnt work for BA, but I started on the 757 at 22, (but looking 12!), although the youngest on my course the others werent a lot older.

Wonder how old the youngest USAF B52 skipper was on the recent war on Iraq? My guess is 23.

Apilot 2014

To make a proper comparision one must consider the year and age. In the early 70's very few 747 captains were under 50. As more aircraft came online the ages dropped. That you were 29 in 1984 has to be taken only in that year, as someone today may be only 24. Furthermore I think there is a difference between a major international passenger company and a freighter. Which side did you come from?

In Portugal the youngest FO is a very nice girl ( 20 years old ) flying B737 for a Portuguese Airline, mind you her father is the OPS director of that Airline. :rolleyes:

I saw as well once in a magazine a L-188 electra captain for atlantic cargo who was 22 years old. I then realized i was really late !

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the infamous Barry Seal (TWA)

go on then ferrydude...

you guys will be surprised to learn that in India commercial jets are flown by CPL holders with the minimum hours, which they have logged on the Pushpak aircraft and on Cessna 152's, which are the aircrafts flown in the flying clubs. As a result, with the induction of these people into all the commercial airlines in India, there are a whole bunch of young commanders, some of which have got their command on the 737 at the age of 22. so, age as far as Im, concerned is a state of mind for command. Its the experiece that counts and the ones on type are welcomed, especially when its from the right seat to the left.

Y'know guys, I run a recruitment agency and if you sign up for my enhanced conditions oy'll take em all ages, cradle to grave B'Jesus joseph & Mary!

I would put the youngest BUFF aircraft commander at 25/26 plus.
Thats doing some optimistic probables. If I had to bet money, I would say the youngest would be 28 or older.

A while back I was told the number 1 seniority pilot at UPS was the youngest B747 captain ever. He is the only person given an age waiver to hold an ATP under the age of 23.

Not first hand, but interesting story when I heard it.

BBB

Worked for an air taxi firm years ago. To be Captain on a Lear Jet 24/24/25 you needed to be age 30 or older and have at least 5,000 hours.

its a state of mind..true that
 

i am being upgraded to P1 on the 737 in my airline in india. ill be in the thick of things (p1 sim training) while i celebrate my 23rd bday (in 20 days)....
But i totally agree that its a state of mind. After flying the Bee for over 3 years, its all about thinking mature and systematic in the deck.

And whoever makes the cut, makes the cut...... nomatter wat age/sex/culture....... as long as the regulations allow.

Most impressive of all were the 19 y.o. Lancaster/Fortress commanders all those years ago. And the 18 y.o. fighter pilots with 20 hours on type before battle. The mind boggles.

Guy Gibson earned his DSO at age 21 on Bomber Command’s first raid of the war. He was a Wing Commander at 23, received the VC after the Dambuster raids at age 24 and was killed in action aged 26.

None of which, had he lived, would have qualified him to be a captain on Learjets at ATPMBA’s firm.

Youngest 747 captain ?
 

My friend here in Boulder, Colorado was flying Regional Jets for 2.5 years. He had 750 hrs PIC on the RJ. He left to fly 747-200 series right seat. He made captain 7 months later after only 250 hours in the right seat of the 74 ! He is still only 28 years old...

Is this a record ?