Age Concern: Am I too old?
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
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From: LAS VAGES NV USA
Want A Be Pilot
HERE GOES, SHORT AND SWEET. I'AM 60',I HAVE 2OHR IN R22'S,5HR IN 44'S,AND 9 HR IN AS350 B3. THE REASON FOR THE WIERD TYPES IS IAM AN A/P IA. I WAS THINKING OF BUY A BELL 47 AND FINISH. THEN US IT TO GET MY 100O HR'S FOR TURBINS. I'AM SERIOUS ABOUTTHIS. PLEASE HELP
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 91
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From: Big Island
When is it "to late" to start?
OK, here's a question for you guys. At what age is to late to start looking at a career in helicopters?
I'm involved in aviation at the moment, have been for a few years.
I'm seriously starting to think about a career in flying helicopters, it'll depend on the cash flow and of course age. So I'm early 30's now. Is it ever to late to start?
When did you guys start, who's one of the oldest guys to kick off a career in flying helicopters?
Cheers.
I'm involved in aviation at the moment, have been for a few years.
I'm seriously starting to think about a career in flying helicopters, it'll depend on the cash flow and of course age. So I'm early 30's now. Is it ever to late to start?
When did you guys start, who's one of the oldest guys to kick off a career in flying helicopters?
Cheers.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 161
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From: England... what's left of it...
Have you looked through the "So you want to be a Helicopter Pilot thread? (in this very forum, Rotorheads). If you follow "CLICK HERE" in it, you'll see an "Am I too old" thread... read that. There is a lot of (varying but good) advice. In fact, read, digest and consider everything in there.
I'm no expert (my licences are PPL) but I wouldn't call early thirties too old by any means, but quite soon, you will reach the stage where the years start to count double! I've still not abandoned the idea yet (for rotary), and you have a decade on me! It depends on so many things though, your life and circumstances, money, family etc., before you even start. Read everything related you can get at, and be brutally realistic with yourself.
Other people will maybe add to what I've said, but quite honestly, it really is all well covered in the threads I mentioned.. better to spend some serious time reading that lot, then ask anything specific that isn't there for you.
Best of luck!
I'm no expert (my licences are PPL) but I wouldn't call early thirties too old by any means, but quite soon, you will reach the stage where the years start to count double! I've still not abandoned the idea yet (for rotary), and you have a decade on me! It depends on so many things though, your life and circumstances, money, family etc., before you even start. Read everything related you can get at, and be brutally realistic with yourself.
Other people will maybe add to what I've said, but quite honestly, it really is all well covered in the threads I mentioned.. better to spend some serious time reading that lot, then ask anything specific that isn't there for you.
Best of luck!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 67
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From: Gloucestershire, UK
I started just over 3 years ago at the age of 36. The only downside of starting later in life is that I wish I'd been able to afford to start flying sooner. I'm now Chief Pilot for a small tour and charter company flying a Twin Squirrel. I've been quite lucky at a couple of points in my career but I've also been very dedicated. You make your own luck in this game. If your motivation is there I'd say go for it.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 16
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From: england
new to the forum i need advice
hi, everyonei got my pplh a few years ago in the uk on a view to do my ccplh then i met my wife I'm sure you know the story from then lol but after a few years we have now called it a day i'm 38 with a pplh and about $70,000 left to go after that helicopter pilot job i've always wanted, is this enough to get me on the job ladder,am i to old? and if not i would love to do it in the states maybe over 12 months as i now have all the time in the world to go for it, can anyone give me any advice?
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 582
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From: home and abroad
Given the state of the industry and the numbers of experienced pilots around, I'd think very carefuly before committing money and time into becoming an inexperienced CPLH of 39 to 40 years of age.
I would invest in a job qualification that allows you the money and time to fly as PPLH.
But having said that, it is your life choice to make.
Good luck.
I would invest in a job qualification that allows you the money and time to fly as PPLH.
But having said that, it is your life choice to make.
Good luck.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 7
From: OS SX2063
Jerry
There was then the recession hit and there is little recruitment going on at the moment, although some relatively inexperienced pilots have been taken on for jobs they didn't quite qualify for recently so perhaps there is an upturn, its not the way it was 2 or 4 years ago though.
Instruction in some parts of the UK seems to be plodding along as usual, so not all is bad.
Gary
PS Anyone want 3000hr A109 TRE with an IR who is too quiet on the flying front at the moment ?
There was then the recession hit and there is little recruitment going on at the moment, although some relatively inexperienced pilots have been taken on for jobs they didn't quite qualify for recently so perhaps there is an upturn, its not the way it was 2 or 4 years ago though.
Instruction in some parts of the UK seems to be plodding along as usual, so not all is bad.
Gary
PS Anyone want 3000hr A109 TRE with an IR who is too quiet on the flying front at the moment ?
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: england
so there might be a very small glimmer of hope left, it would take me a couple of years to get it all done anyway maybe things might have picked up by then but saying that its still a pricey gamble if it doesn't its just that ive got to that age where if i dont do it now it will be to late and id have to stay in my sales job the rest of my life i thought maybe i could do 20-30 years of doing a job id love and hate 
but its good to hear everyones view thanks for taking the time
but its good to hear everyones view thanks for taking the time
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 58
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From: UK
Is there any hope .........
I have a hundred hours on a UK PPL and I am rated on the R22 and R44. Is there anywhere in the world that I can get a job flying. I have run out of money and I am bored senseless with my tedious job. Any ideas?
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Earth
Yup, the Army,Navy and Air Force are always looking for a good supply of manpower. They will happily take you with a PPL or no formal flying qualifications for that matter. A visit to your CIO (showing my age) will give you lots more info!
Otherwise you have no chance of finding legal paid work with a ppl. Get some more money and do a CPL it's the only way other than my advice above.
Regards
Otherwise you have no chance of finding legal paid work with a ppl. Get some more money and do a CPL it's the only way other than my advice above.
Regards
Last edited by Heliringer; 15th March 2010 at 09:58.
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,373
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From: Den Haag
They will happily take you with a PPL or no formal flying qualifications for that matter. A visit to your CIO (showing my age) will give you lots more info!
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
I think Al being 44 might scupper that plan!
Originally Posted by 212man
When you get to my age,
Cheers
Whirls