I am mad?
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Oi! It ain't THAT ripe!
Seriously, there are three things that you should consider:
1. Research into job market, roles available, operators, countries
2. make sure you have a job/business on which you can earn income while unemployed
3. try to keep the roof over your head; it may be your only pension!
Cheers
Whirls
Seriously, there are three things that you should consider:
1. Research into job market, roles available, operators, countries
2. make sure you have a job/business on which you can earn income while unemployed
3. try to keep the roof over your head; it may be your only pension!
Cheers
Whirls
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: west sussex
Am I mad?.
Now not married, family is pretty much grown up. It would basically mean going out to the states with nothing, coming back hopefully with a licence and looking for work. I am not particularly fussed about the type of work, instructing etc, just so long as I can earn a living. I am ready to make the jump ( a mid life crisis maybe), but I have never been so sure about wanting to do something........ it's just the thought of risking everything.
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
See my points 1, 2 and 3 above.
You will not earn enough a a newly qualified CPL to support a mortgage and a pension. If you have to risk everything are you prepared to lose everything - that is what is could mean.
I too am working towards a CPL but in the UK via the modular route. It is more expensive but, as the UK is where I want to work, it's here I'm going to train.
Thankfully I have a job which is always in demand and secondly, a small mortgage. My house is my safety and that will never be sold to finance flying. If that's the stage I get to, then that's the stage I'll have to quit.
Cheers
Whirls
You will not earn enough a a newly qualified CPL to support a mortgage and a pension. If you have to risk everything are you prepared to lose everything - that is what is could mean.
I too am working towards a CPL but in the UK via the modular route. It is more expensive but, as the UK is where I want to work, it's here I'm going to train.
Thankfully I have a job which is always in demand and secondly, a small mortgage. My house is my safety and that will never be sold to finance flying. If that's the stage I get to, then that's the stage I'll have to quit.
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Belgium
If you go out to the States, I recommend you to do either JAA groundschool first or do the integrated course at HAI. So when you return to the UK you are licenced at ready for work. It's not easy, but when you're all by yourself it's easier. I did it with wife and three children.
It's better to regret something you've done, than regret something you didn't do.
Remember though all the quoted prices times 2 will get you there, nothing comes cheap in aviation.
It's better to regret something you've done, than regret something you didn't do.
Remember though all the quoted prices times 2 will get you there, nothing comes cheap in aviation.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 0
From: UK
The above are all good observations - especially WGs 3 points.
I started when I was 38 (some while ago now!) I just had to, because if not I would have always wondered what it would have been like.
I had a lucrative profession(?) to fall back on, which was essential to start. I stayed in the UK: my personal circs prompted that. I have done quite a lot of different flying and actually earned a living at it for 5 or 6 years. Now with 6,000 hours, for what that is worth. I am currently back sharing my time - the REAL job to earn proper money and the flying to feed my addiction.
It had to be done, I don't regret it at all, but there have been some hard times. To make progress I got involved in management of helicopter companies - generally a complete nightmare. I am now much more choosy about what I do flyingwise, because I can be. There are still 1 or 2 flying jobs I would go for full time, if I was offered them, but the shared existence seems to suit me well for now. I would be particularly interested in professional licence instructing again (about half my time has been instructing), except the pay is C**p. That sadly is the usual problem - the good jobs don't pay well.
I started when I was 38 (some while ago now!) I just had to, because if not I would have always wondered what it would have been like.
I had a lucrative profession(?) to fall back on, which was essential to start. I stayed in the UK: my personal circs prompted that. I have done quite a lot of different flying and actually earned a living at it for 5 or 6 years. Now with 6,000 hours, for what that is worth. I am currently back sharing my time - the REAL job to earn proper money and the flying to feed my addiction.
It had to be done, I don't regret it at all, but there have been some hard times. To make progress I got involved in management of helicopter companies - generally a complete nightmare. I am now much more choosy about what I do flyingwise, because I can be. There are still 1 or 2 flying jobs I would go for full time, if I was offered them, but the shared existence seems to suit me well for now. I would be particularly interested in professional licence instructing again (about half my time has been instructing), except the pay is C**p. That sadly is the usual problem - the good jobs don't pay well.
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 1
From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
All good points above. In the Helicopter world, starting at that age is going to be better than a Jenny Craig diet... Get some Cardboard to hang around your neck that says something like "Help the retarded, feed me." Not insulting, just letting you know its going to be some hungry times ahead for the next few years till you get some hirable hours AND turbine time.
Consider the important thing is that in about twenty years you want to be able to NOT have to fly and still have a retirement income, otherwise you will have to resort to the cardboard sign again.
Good Luck..Anything CAN be done, but it aint gonna be easy.
Consider the important thing is that in about twenty years you want to be able to NOT have to fly and still have a retirement income, otherwise you will have to resort to the cardboard sign again.
Good Luck..Anything CAN be done, but it aint gonna be easy.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: USA & UK
James,
As somebody who has done exactly what you're contemplating I believe myself to be in a pretty good position to offer you some advice. However just like I did, you'll filter out all the bits you want to hear and disregard the rest.
But here's an idea you may wish to try. Why don't you just pretend for an hour or two that you've just finished your training and passed all your exams. Now pick up the phone and make a few calls on both sides of the atlantic and see what response you get. Afterwards you may wish to recalculate your costs and your options when you really do finish your training.
R1 Tamer
As somebody who has done exactly what you're contemplating I believe myself to be in a pretty good position to offer you some advice. However just like I did, you'll filter out all the bits you want to hear and disregard the rest.
But here's an idea you may wish to try. Why don't you just pretend for an hour or two that you've just finished your training and passed all your exams. Now pick up the phone and make a few calls on both sides of the atlantic and see what response you get. Afterwards you may wish to recalculate your costs and your options when you really do finish your training.
R1 Tamer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Spain
I should risk everything......job, house, sanity and go to the states
You can do it...There´s lot of late starters made it, in one way or another...But it´s not a smart move!
Many of us were half your age when we started, and a lot more resilient intellectually/emotionally...Let´s face it! at 18/19 you don´t have a lot to lose!..
At 41, you probably do!
There´s an awful lot of new helicopter pilots turned out every year...Not just this year, but many years gone and many years to come...I have no idea how many unemployed low time helicopter pilots their are?..But I´m glad I don´t have to send each one of them a quid!
Sorry it´s not the answer you want..But it my 5 cents...
Luck to you, whatever you decide?..170
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,051
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From: CA
This bloody forum is turning into some pathetic "Dr Phil/Oprah" helpline for English suffering midlife crisis.
Answer to your question: NO - don't be a git. Its not our fault you denied yourself earlier in life and suddenly regret chasing other 'dreams' that obviously meaned more to you at the time. Ask yourself why you want to do this. If the answer is the familiar "I just love flying and I always wanted to do it" then the answer is still NO. Pretty soon you will not love flying and not want to do it. If the answer is "I want to make a living flying" then the answer is still NO. You are 41, you will be 42 coming back from the USA, then you will be competing with the 20yr old for the same job. You might end up with some worthless instructor rating position earning no money by the time you are 45, doing that for an undetermined time to build hours for a 'real' job. Note: impression from downunder - there are no REAL jobs in the UK. Be prepared to move.
The northsea operators will not want an old copilot.
You will not want to live in a bush camp when you are 45.
You cannot live on spagetti, 2 min noodles or Kraft dinner like a 20yr old (good call Bert...)
You will end up possibly taking a job from someone who is looking for a career, not a reason to feel like they are living for once in their life.
Dr Phil, Steve and Oprah say - chase your dream of sailing around the world or climbing Everest.
Answer to your question: NO - don't be a git. Its not our fault you denied yourself earlier in life and suddenly regret chasing other 'dreams' that obviously meaned more to you at the time. Ask yourself why you want to do this. If the answer is the familiar "I just love flying and I always wanted to do it" then the answer is still NO. Pretty soon you will not love flying and not want to do it. If the answer is "I want to make a living flying" then the answer is still NO. You are 41, you will be 42 coming back from the USA, then you will be competing with the 20yr old for the same job. You might end up with some worthless instructor rating position earning no money by the time you are 45, doing that for an undetermined time to build hours for a 'real' job. Note: impression from downunder - there are no REAL jobs in the UK. Be prepared to move.
The northsea operators will not want an old copilot.
You will not want to live in a bush camp when you are 45.
You cannot live on spagetti, 2 min noodles or Kraft dinner like a 20yr old (good call Bert...)
You will end up possibly taking a job from someone who is looking for a career, not a reason to feel like they are living for once in their life.
Dr Phil, Steve and Oprah say - chase your dream of sailing around the world or climbing Everest.
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Just one little bijou point Steve76, when I was young enough to join the Armed Forces to train as a pilot, there were no women pilots. You can't always do at 20 what you want to do.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Belgium
Steve76 : Why would a 20yr old be more motivated or a better pilot than somebody starting out in their 40's?? So the guys who fly police helicopters, air ambulances, off-shore amongst others in the UK are not doing 'real' jobs?
Interesting point of view? Have you ever been in the UK?
By the way this is not meant to be offensive.
Hillerbee
Interesting point of view? Have you ever been in the UK?
By the way this is not meant to be offensive.
Hillerbee
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: LONDON
great coments...from the dedicated ones
well well,james i thought i will join in...this great debate,,,by the hiller bee, whrygirl thanks for the advice...sounds very sensible...james iam year older than you...but strated my dream carrer move last year...and did everything you planning to do...just finishing off my 16000....too with my ppl ,put my flat on the market last week......only because , my late parents [both died tragically ]i was alone from the age of 18....became a nurse....now a chef.....and mopving towards my childhood dream be a helicopter pilot...not for glory,money...status....just achiving something....its like staying in the crease and playing asteady innings....and avoid the bouncers and beamers...i ahve sacrifice family life....never mmarried...want work on relief one day and pass on...everything i learned to somebody oneday...i think usa/ canada then come back or stay in canada... for while...cook clean....james go for it...the world going right now.....dont plan for pension right now....just year at a time..you got another 20 years of flying....and its a challenge you do your medical every 6 months too....so keep you motivated through heallth.. side too...so hay even if you are broke...you will looking young and healthy...i do i have been 30 for the last 10 yerars....take it easy..j good luck
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: q.l.d
good one
come on what is with this ...Get your licence get instructor rating BUILD up your hours .....
i mean what knowledge could you pass on to student with all of your aviation experience..... you got to cut the mustard before you can spread it
i mean what knowledge could you pass on to student with all of your aviation experience..... you got to cut the mustard before you can spread it
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
Likes: 1
From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Different system in the UK. In the UK, one can commence an instructor's course after 250 whereas it ia higher in Australia I believe (lower in the States). Nobody in the UK will wmpoy someone with only 250 hours unless as an instructor.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: q.l.d
it is 400 hrs in oz ,,and even if you did get g2, noone would give job,this is crazy .......
you know i only got my licence when i was 21, because the older pilots said the chicks ( jilleroos ) want to have sex with helicopter pilots ,,
YOU LYING
ards
you know i only got my licence when i was 21, because the older pilots said the chicks ( jilleroos ) want to have sex with helicopter pilots ,,
YOU LYING
ards
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 2
From: Sale, Australia
Steve, You talkin from experience? I seem to recall flying with a no houred copilot, married with kids and fixin cars on the side. Dont know how old he was though at the time but has worked some good jobs since from what I hear.