Age Concern: Am I too old?
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
54 and considering doing CPL.
Hi Border,
Some very good replies here.please have a real close LOOK because of COVID 19..what a bloodbath of pilots in every airline that is taking place.Airlines scrambling to offload A/C.No one can give you the remotest idea when things will at least stabelize.
Dont even think of being hired by a carrier cause it aint gonna happen as there will be an abundance of pilots with high hours, all the qualifications etc never gonna see the inside of a cockipit.
However best of luck to you keep building up your hours but dont soebd your hard earned money chaaing an elusive fruitless dream
Sorry.
KARNAK66
Some very good replies here.please have a real close LOOK because of COVID 19..what a bloodbath of pilots in every airline that is taking place.Airlines scrambling to offload A/C.No one can give you the remotest idea when things will at least stabelize.
Dont even think of being hired by a carrier cause it aint gonna happen as there will be an abundance of pilots with high hours, all the qualifications etc never gonna see the inside of a cockipit.
However best of luck to you keep building up your hours but dont soebd your hard earned money chaaing an elusive fruitless dream
Sorry.
KARNAK66
So are we saying the industry has age discrimination
I went to Oz and got an Oz licence and flew on various Oz operations and then back to the original overseas operation and flew there on my Oz licence. The locals demanded that i get a national licence so I did at aged 67. Then my UK company pulled out so I flew with the national company until I was three months short of my 69th birthday.
I would have carried on with the Oz branch but I was diagnosed with prostate cancer so it came to a halt.
Please note that the prostate cancer has been overcome and I am clear.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Supply and demand. I retired from my UK company on an overseas operation. They needed pilots so I stayed on as contract for a year or so. A year later their domestic operation was short so I flew contract for another couple of years. Eighteen months later I went out to the overseas operation just as they wanted a pilot so I flew contract again with them until I was too old UK wise.
I went to Oz and got an Oz licence and flew on various Oz operations and then back to the original overseas operation and flew there on my Oz licence. The locals demanded that i get a national licence so I did at aged 67. Then my UK company pulled out so I flew with the national company until I was three months short of my 69th birthday.
I would have carried on with the Oz branch but I was diagnosed with prostate cancer so it came to a halt.
Please note that the prostate cancer has been overcome and I am clear.
I went to Oz and got an Oz licence and flew on various Oz operations and then back to the original overseas operation and flew there on my Oz licence. The locals demanded that i get a national licence so I did at aged 67. Then my UK company pulled out so I flew with the national company until I was three months short of my 69th birthday.
I would have carried on with the Oz branch but I was diagnosed with prostate cancer so it came to a halt.
Please note that the prostate cancer has been overcome and I am clear.
Age didn't matter that much for Fareastdriver because he had bucket loads of experience prior to the age you're contemplating starting out now. It's most unlikely you'll cover the cost of your training, if you can get a job at all. That is simply the absolute truth of the matter.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Border,
Some very good replies here.please have a real close LOOK because of COVID 19..what a bloodbath of pilots in every airline that is taking place.Airlines scrambling to offload A/C.No one can give you the remotest idea when things will at least stabelize.
Dont even think of being hired by a carrier cause it aint gonna happen as there will be an abundance of pilots with high hours, all the qualifications etc never gonna see the inside of a cockipit.
However best of luck to you keep building up your hours but dont soebd your hard earned money chaaing an elusive fruitless dream
Sorry.
KARNAK66
Some very good replies here.please have a real close LOOK because of COVID 19..what a bloodbath of pilots in every airline that is taking place.Airlines scrambling to offload A/C.No one can give you the remotest idea when things will at least stabelize.
Dont even think of being hired by a carrier cause it aint gonna happen as there will be an abundance of pilots with high hours, all the qualifications etc never gonna see the inside of a cockipit.
However best of luck to you keep building up your hours but dont soebd your hard earned money chaaing an elusive fruitless dream
Sorry.
KARNAK66
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 2,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't speak for ireland or helicopter flying, but here in the US, airlines regularly hire people your age and older. Just be sure to ask your instructors to be perfectly honest with you. It can take time to recoup the money you've invested. Covid complicates that, of course.
A CPL will make you a much better pilot, The training not just an extension of PPL in the basic sense, It brought me to a new level of understanding beyond simply managing the aircraft, much gained in managing the mission and the environment.
Yes 54 is too old to leverage a CPL but there are always odd jobs when hanging around like aircraft relocation and such, fun to do keep a sense or purpose
Yes 54 is too old to leverage a CPL but there are always odd jobs when hanging around like aircraft relocation and such, fun to do keep a sense or purpose
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CPL(H) training aged 44
I have searched this forum for similar threads and can't find them except in airline related chat. I'm 44yrs old and part way into CPL(H) training in UK having completed all my exams via CAA in UK. My ambition is to get IR and try to get work in North Sea / Air Ambulance, but I'm seriously doubting if this is an unrealistic ambition based on my age and would really appreciate some opinions. A few years ago, one of my relatives who flew for Bond Helicopters in Aberdeen as a captain told me I was far too old and should forget it and focus on my career as an engineer in wind energy. He was a wise and experienced person, but also rather negative, hence I'd be really keen for a few other views; my gut feel is telling me I should have just listened to him. The other thing that concerns me is that the UK is heading into a recession of unknown length and that will surely mean there are less pilots jobs to go round unless other factors overcome it. Any opinions would be really appreciated, many thanks
The following users liked this post:
sorry but I disagree. The biggest problem he'll have is stopping the ball rolling and delaying his progression. Get the CPL, get the FI, start instructing and build some time. May take a few years but impossible it is not. Yes he'll need a bit of luck, but I'm confident he'll get a good dozen years flying in a post-instructional role if relentless determination is the driving factor. All it takes is time and money. It's not difficult.
The following 2 users liked this post by Sir Korsky:
I have searched this forum for similar threads and can't find them except in airline related chat. I'm 44yrs old and part way into CPL(H) training in UK having completed all my exams via CAA in UK. My ambition is to get IR and try to get work in North Sea / Air Ambulance, but I'm seriously doubting if this is an unrealistic ambition based on my age and would really appreciate some opinions. A few years ago, one of my relatives who flew for Bond Helicopters in Aberdeen as a captain told me I was far too old and should forget it and focus on my career as an engineer in wind energy. He was a wise and experienced person, but also rather negative, hence I'd be really keen for a few other views; my gut feel is telling me I should have just listened to him. The other thing that concerns me is that the UK is heading into a recession of unknown length and that will surely mean there are less pilots jobs to go round unless other factors overcome it. Any opinions would be really appreciated, many thanks
Maybe in the USA, but not in the UK
And don't forget most employers want a valid IR, ie you need to get a job within a year of getting your IR (unless you want to spent thousands renewing each year)
And don't forget most employers want a valid IR, ie you need to get a job within a year of getting your IR (unless you want to spent thousands renewing each year)
sorry but I disagree. The biggest problem he'll have is stopping the ball rolling and delaying his progression. Get the CPL, get the FI, start instructing and build some time. May take a few years but impossible it is not. Yes he'll need a bit of luck, but I'm confident he'll get a good dozen years flying in a post-instructional role if relentless determination is the driving factor. All it takes is time and money. It's not difficult.
Last edited by hargreaves99; 22nd Nov 2022 at 06:38.
sorry but I disagree. The biggest problem he'll have is stopping the ball rolling and delaying his progression. Get the CPL, get the FI, start instructing and build some time. May take a few years but impossible it is not. Yes he'll need a bit of luck, but I'm confident he'll get a good dozen years flying in a post-instructional role if relentless determination is the driving factor. All it takes is time and money. It's not difficult.
If you are older you would need luck, or know someone (with power) from inside or have the correct type rating. Without this your chances will be very very low.
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just want to throw my piece out here, that whilst I'm not aware of what those in charge of hiring are physically saying, I am aware of 2 co-pilots (having between 200 and 300 hours total) over 40 getting jobs at 2 different North Sea operators. Whilst the older of the 2 is "only" 44 and you would likely be 46 by the time you've completed your IR, I don't think it's too late.
Your best bet is to reach out to those in charge of hiring now and ask them the question yourself.
Your best bet is to reach out to those in charge of hiring now and ask them the question yourself.