Age Concern: Am I too old?
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Am I too old?
Hi All. Well I'm definately what you call a newbee or a wanabee but such is life. After a recently taking my first lesson I have decided to look into flying helicopters a little more seriously. I guess many of you have heard these questions before so if there are answers available just let me know. ie. how much how long where when etc etc etc.
Cool as a moosp
Join Date: Aug 2001
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I think you will find it is a young person's machine, in terms of learning how to fly one. For every year over forty, add an hour to the expected time to get a PPL. It just takes us longer to learn the later you start.
I started at 50 and it was way too late, but here I am with a CPL and instructors rating, 500 hours and an empty bank account. Still, there're no pockets in a shroud, as granny used to say.
As to making a job/career of it when starting late, you have the odds stacked against you. There will always be someone younger and hungrier than you for the job. For public transport, you are effectively stopped by the current law at 60 anyway
For sport flying only - go for it. Remember however, there is a percentage of the population who should never fly helicopters. It does require an attitude of mind and co-ordination of body that is not universal.
I started at 50 and it was way too late, but here I am with a CPL and instructors rating, 500 hours and an empty bank account. Still, there're no pockets in a shroud, as granny used to say.
As to making a job/career of it when starting late, you have the odds stacked against you. There will always be someone younger and hungrier than you for the job. For public transport, you are effectively stopped by the current law at 60 anyway
For sport flying only - go for it. Remember however, there is a percentage of the population who should never fly helicopters. It does require an attitude of mind and co-ordination of body that is not universal.
The Original Whirly
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You don't say how old you are, or exactly what you want to know. 
While in general older people take longer to learn, individuals have a way of confounding the generalisations. And for everyone, it takes as long as it takes. As for work, it takes a lot of persistence and luck, however young or old you are.
Now, I'm not sure what else you want to know, but may I suggest you do a search on here anyway, becasue as you say, most of these things have been asked - and answered - before.
While in general older people take longer to learn, individuals have a way of confounding the generalisations. And for everyone, it takes as long as it takes. As for work, it takes a lot of persistence and luck, however young or old you are.
Now, I'm not sure what else you want to know, but may I suggest you do a search on here anyway, becasue as you say, most of these things have been asked - and answered - before.
HeliFirst
Join Date: Jan 2001
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moosp - an Airline pilot in Hong Kong with an empty bank account??? thats a first
You said "Remember however, there is a percentage of the population who should never fly helicopters." What percent do you think and why?? Please explain
Age does have its privelege. Old enough to decide what you want!!
You said "Remember however, there is a percentage of the population who should never fly helicopters." What percent do you think and why?? Please explain
Age does have its privelege. Old enough to decide what you want!!
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Cool as a moosp
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Up & Away, it wasn't empty until I took up rotary! Mind you, I wouldn't change a thing if I had my time again- except I would start earlier.
The point about some people being unsuitable for helicopters came from a 15,000+ hour instructor/test pilot who is well known in the light helicopter world. No one knows what the percentage is until we put all of the population through a PPL but from my very very short time in the industry I would guess around 5-10%.
The bell curve gets a bit flat towards the bottom end...
The point about some people being unsuitable for helicopters came from a 15,000+ hour instructor/test pilot who is well known in the light helicopter world. No one knows what the percentage is until we put all of the population through a PPL but from my very very short time in the industry I would guess around 5-10%.
The bell curve gets a bit flat towards the bottom end...
HeliFirst
Join Date: Jan 2001
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I, and many other 10,000hr Instructors, like to think that 'Everyone can fly a helicopter'!!
It just may take some a little longer than the average.
moosp...Welcome to the Helicopter Instructing world..but now you are qualified you can do so much as an Instructor to help those that are having difficulties and not give up on them.. Find a way into their brain and yes ..Everyone can fly a helicopter.
It just may take some a little longer than the average.
moosp...Welcome to the Helicopter Instructing world..but now you are qualified you can do so much as an Instructor to help those that are having difficulties and not give up on them.. Find a way into their brain and yes ..Everyone can fly a helicopter.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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An Age Profile of License Holders is available on the CAA website.
According to these statistics (as at 1 April 2004), the oldest ATPL(H) was 75, CPL(H) was 67, and PPL(H) was 81.
I can't comment on what sort of percentage of the population would be able to fly helicopters, but I calculated that approx. 0.008% of the UK population are helicopter license holders with current medical (based on the statistics above).
According to these statistics (as at 1 April 2004), the oldest ATPL(H) was 75, CPL(H) was 67, and PPL(H) was 81.
I can't comment on what sort of percentage of the population would be able to fly helicopters, but I calculated that approx. 0.008% of the UK population are helicopter license holders with current medical (based on the statistics above).
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Is 39 too old to become a pilot?
Hello collective,
I am seriously considering changing my career to become a helicopter pilot. I have done my research and I am well aware of what it takes to become one. I understand how hard it can be to get over the 1,000+ hours and what kind of lifestyle adjustment I will be going through.
One question that remains in my mind is whether I am getting into this too late. Personally I don't feel that way at all. I am in perfect health with 20/20 vision and ready to learn and deal with pretty much anything.
I would like to get a sense from you guys whether the age might be a problem for the operators and also any other difficulty that might be harder for me then for someone just out of high school.
I would be especially grateful for info from anyone who learned to fly around the same age; your experience, anxiety, early employment experience (the first 1,000 hours), any advantages you had over younger pilots (perceived or real).
Thanks a lot! S21
I am seriously considering changing my career to become a helicopter pilot. I have done my research and I am well aware of what it takes to become one. I understand how hard it can be to get over the 1,000+ hours and what kind of lifestyle adjustment I will be going through.
One question that remains in my mind is whether I am getting into this too late. Personally I don't feel that way at all. I am in perfect health with 20/20 vision and ready to learn and deal with pretty much anything.
I would like to get a sense from you guys whether the age might be a problem for the operators and also any other difficulty that might be harder for me then for someone just out of high school.
I would be especially grateful for info from anyone who learned to fly around the same age; your experience, anxiety, early employment experience (the first 1,000 hours), any advantages you had over younger pilots (perceived or real).
Thanks a lot! S21
Gatvol
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39 is not too old if your rich. But then if your rich at 39, buy a helicopter and hire one of us morons to fly you around..............
Seriously, (for once) at that age you have to take a hard look at what is is you want out of flying. If its employment, you had better be prepared for about 3 years of starvation, before you can afford to eat at McDonalds.
If things like a family, home, car, food are not that important, I would say go for it...........
If its flying just for recreation, then you will have no problem at any age.
Seriously, (for once) at that age you have to take a hard look at what is is you want out of flying. If its employment, you had better be prepared for about 3 years of starvation, before you can afford to eat at McDonalds.
If things like a family, home, car, food are not that important, I would say go for it...........
If its flying just for recreation, then you will have no problem at any age.
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
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39 too old? Er, I hope not! However, I have no family, hope my car will last for another 150,000 miles, very small mortgage and could do with losing some weight so food not important!
Seriously, age seems to be less of a factor in the rotary world that airlines.
Cheers
Whirls
Seriously, age seems to be less of a factor in the rotary world that airlines.
Cheers
Whirls
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well i am 34 and sold house , am selling my fleet of vhicles to fund and have no problem with the chalenge ahead , the hardest part was to move back in to my perents granny flat , now that is hard work 
.
good luck
.good luck
The biggest problem I have noticed with mature age students is their mental approach to the training. There is no noticeable difference in reflex, coordination etc but there can be a huge gap in the ability to learn thoroughly. Half the time I don't even think that the mature aged student realises what they are doing to hinder their learning capability in this environment. If you have succeeded in another industry/career than you have the right to possess the confidence and satisfaction of achievement and have faith in your own ability. This is by no means a go at you guys, just a bit of advice. Leave everything else you have ever done on the ground and you will learn more efficiently and become a better pilot for it.
The best students are those who think they will never be able to hover at the start.
The best students are those who think they will never be able to hover at the start.
Hovering AND talking
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Yeah and when you get to my age love, you find the old grey cells diminish and stuff is harder to retain in the head 
I do see your point Bellfest but I think it has less to do with attitude and more to do with ...er... age? I was 21 when I finished my degree, 26 when I got my professional qualification and 41 doing commercial exams. Just retaining the stuff is harder - however I hope a certain maturity gives me a more well-rounded outlook!
Cheers
Whirls
I do see your point Bellfest but I think it has less to do with attitude and more to do with ...er... age? I was 21 when I finished my degree, 26 when I got my professional qualification and 41 doing commercial exams. Just retaining the stuff is harder - however I hope a certain maturity gives me a more well-rounded outlook!
Cheers
Whirls
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I went to HAI when I was 40 (also with wife and 3 children). I did my PPL/CPL/CFI in 5 months and was one of the fastest ever. Most of my young classmates took 10-12 months. So there's shouldn't be a problem as learning ability is concerned. Most of the older guys at HAI where faster than the youngsters by the way.
Finding a job is the hard part. I was not willing to travel far, so I started my own flightschool in Florida. Quite easy by the way, I leased a helicopter and a hangar and of you go. Flight training, aerial photography and sightseeing tours. A good way to build hours and make good money. Now I have a job in England still making good money. It sounds easier than it is, I had some hard times but it's what I want to do.
You're never to old, and if you want it you can do it.
Finding a job is the hard part. I was not willing to travel far, so I started my own flightschool in Florida. Quite easy by the way, I leased a helicopter and a hangar and of you go. Flight training, aerial photography and sightseeing tours. A good way to build hours and make good money. Now I have a job in England still making good money. It sounds easier than it is, I had some hard times but it's what I want to do.
You're never to old, and if you want it you can do it.
Gatvol
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i4ig writes: I'm 38 and have just got my J1 visa to start training in the US - just 3 weeks to go before I leave! I'm also taking my wife and kids.
I hope your going all the way thats through CFI, or are you doing one of the JAR courses.
Anyway I know of a few newbies who come from Europe on a visa and finish up their school before the visa expires. They (depending on the visa) are allowed to work in the U.S. until it expires.....
Check on it as I dont know what visa allows this. I do know that www.papillon.com has hired a few in the past and they went home with some money and a few hundred hours in AS-350/EC-130s
I hope your going all the way thats through CFI, or are you doing one of the JAR courses.
Anyway I know of a few newbies who come from Europe on a visa and finish up their school before the visa expires. They (depending on the visa) are allowed to work in the U.S. until it expires.....
Check on it as I dont know what visa allows this. I do know that www.papillon.com has hired a few in the past and they went home with some money and a few hundred hours in AS-350/EC-130s
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Thanks for all your replies. There seems to be a mild obsession with food and starvation, something rather unexpected. The heli pilots I have met did not seem to be starving AT ALL. Still I will make sure to enter the profession well padded. 
HillerBee; your story about opening your own flight school is very inspiring. I am just amazed that you got clients. I have noticed that many entry jobs are for flight instructors, I would assume that would be something to do when you have at least 5 years of experience. (That seems to be the case here in Canada.) Can anyone explain how this system works? I don't know of any industry where the first job for someone with a very little experience is to teach others.
Not that I wouldn't take an instructor's job. If I get my CPL in Canada can I teach in Canada?
S21
HillerBee; your story about opening your own flight school is very inspiring. I am just amazed that you got clients. I have noticed that many entry jobs are for flight instructors, I would assume that would be something to do when you have at least 5 years of experience. (That seems to be the case here in Canada.) Can anyone explain how this system works? I don't know of any industry where the first job for someone with a very little experience is to teach others.
Not that I wouldn't take an instructor's job. If I get my CPL in Canada can I teach in Canada?
S21