Work for the over 60's
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Eurozone
I would definitely suggest a minimum of five years in the military, doing anything, before being eligible for a CPL/IR,
The ability to fly upside down and ponce about in a green or heaven forbid, red, flight suit does not imply instant suitability for command/training/management or the god given right to take over the company and stuff it with one's "mates" to the detriment of everyone else.Also, such a requirement is no different than restricting entry to those who can afford to pay. Two wrongs do not a right make.
Last edited by zeddb; 27th August 2013 at 09:57.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Back of Bill's Mother's
Oh God no, the last thing this business needs is more military arses demanding instant upgrades because they think they are better than everyone else.The ability to fly upside down and ponce about in a green or heaven forbid, red, flight suit does not imply instant suitability for command/training/management or the god given right to take over the company and stuff it with one's "mates" to the detriment of everyone else.
Also, such a requirement is no different than restricting entry to those who can afford to pay. Two wrongs do not a right make.
Also, such a requirement is no different than restricting entry to those who can afford to pay. Two wrongs do not a right make.

Of course it does.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: UK
Real pilots, over 12,000 hours and working for pleasure
I had the same dilema eight years ago except it was worse because you couldn't fly over France over 60, unless you held a French licence
Eastern Airways UK, Jetstream 41 gave me good flying and some pay for the five years
Eastern Airways UK, Jetstream 41 gave me good flying and some pay for the five years
Last edited by Tinribs; 27th August 2013 at 18:46. Reason: spellking
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 5
From: Chabanais, France
Oh God no, the last thing this business needs is more military arses demanding instant upgrades because they think they are better than everyone else
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 1
From: any town as retired.
why retire from one hobby
65+, still flying on my FAA ATPL.
Just let my JAA lapse due to the 'improved' medical checks.
As handle suggests working on Gulfstreams, mostly in Middle East.
I stated flying as a hobby at 17yrs old, and 13,000 later still a hobby, and still getting paid for my hobby.
Just let my JAA lapse due to the 'improved' medical checks.
As handle suggests working on Gulfstreams, mostly in Middle East.
I stated flying as a hobby at 17yrs old, and 13,000 later still a hobby, and still getting paid for my hobby.
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Eurozone
Sorry parabellum, bit of a pavlovian response from me. Having suffered through one particular outfit which had been taken over by ex mil types who thought that anyone who had not followed their exact career path was in some way morally and professionally suspect I tend to react accordingly.
Mind you I'm not sure that a load of embittered ex squaddies would really fit the bill either. How about selecting people on the basis of their ability to fit in? Flying airliners does not really call for the ability to dodge missiles or SAS survival techniques as a prerequisite.
Mind you I'm not sure that a load of embittered ex squaddies would really fit the bill either. How about selecting people on the basis of their ability to fit in? Flying airliners does not really call for the ability to dodge missiles or SAS survival techniques as a prerequisite.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,103
Likes: 5
From: Chabanais, France
Mind you I'm not sure that a load of embittered ex squaddies would really fit the bill either. How about selecting people on the basis of their ability to fit in? Flying airliners does not really call for the ability to dodge missiles or SAS survival techniques as a prerequisite.
Last edited by parabellum; 28th August 2013 at 11:35.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Luton
l would beg to differ. Flying airliners calls for all of those skills.
l hit 62 last weekend and can`t bare the thought. Conned by a German
company leasing aircraft and finished up shipwrecked - excuse the
mixed metaphor- with the wrong type rating at the wrong time at the
wrong age.
They knew when the contract was ending but didn`t tell me.
l phoned in the week following what turned out to be my last flight ever to
be told " l can`t talk to you now, l`m going out to dinner"
l finished up a few quid short of retirement still able to make anything
with wings on talk, and save the tyres.
Why are pilots so disreputable ?
l hit 62 last weekend and can`t bare the thought. Conned by a German
company leasing aircraft and finished up shipwrecked - excuse the
mixed metaphor- with the wrong type rating at the wrong time at the
wrong age.
They knew when the contract was ending but didn`t tell me.
l phoned in the week following what turned out to be my last flight ever to
be told " l can`t talk to you now, l`m going out to dinner"
l finished up a few quid short of retirement still able to make anything
with wings on talk, and save the tyres.
Why are pilots so disreputable ?
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 2
From: have I forgotten or am I lost?
10watt the lifeboat is pretty full, with lots of us in it with you.
in my industry I survived for years but eventually retrenchment hit me.
decided to give my love of aviation a run.
I went on a Commercial theory course to fast track the work and passed.
Two weeks before the end of the course Ansett collapsed and the jobs market evaporated.
previous employ evaporated, aviation evaporated, everything since then has gradually evaporated.
who cares.
nothing to get morbid about.
a lot of ex atpl's build themselves a little homebuilt and fly that.
try to stay out of debt.
be kind to people around you.
never ever close your mind to a new idea.
in my industry I survived for years but eventually retrenchment hit me.
decided to give my love of aviation a run.
I went on a Commercial theory course to fast track the work and passed.
Two weeks before the end of the course Ansett collapsed and the jobs market evaporated.
previous employ evaporated, aviation evaporated, everything since then has gradually evaporated.
who cares.
nothing to get morbid about.
a lot of ex atpl's build themselves a little homebuilt and fly that.
try to stay out of debt.
be kind to people around you.
never ever close your mind to a new idea.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Luton
Bless.
Accounts will show that l`m notionally about 5k in the red, if l move onto
a park bench.
My ex didn`t cough when l stopped payments, l did explain why.
For me ? 12hrs a day/ 6 days a week to keep the lights on.
The German is having Sharon Osbourne clinical treatment to help him look
younger.
Am l bitter ?
No. l`ve come across this type of person before over the years.
All l need do is find something exciting. And get on with life.
Accounts will show that l`m notionally about 5k in the red, if l move onto
a park bench.
My ex didn`t cough when l stopped payments, l did explain why.
For me ? 12hrs a day/ 6 days a week to keep the lights on.
The German is having Sharon Osbourne clinical treatment to help him look
younger.
Am l bitter ?
No. l`ve come across this type of person before over the years.
All l need do is find something exciting. And get on with life.
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 2
From: have I forgotten or am I lost?
All l need do is find something exciting. And get on with life.
do you have a local unemployment service?
go down and badger them for a job even if it is just for the fun of it.
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Luton
l did say 12hrs a day 6 days a week.
For peanuts, enough to keep the lights on but not the heating.
lt`s sometimes difficult to drag my sorry arse out of bed before dawn, but
so far so good.
W8, you are a good guy. Catch you later ?
For peanuts, enough to keep the lights on but not the heating.
lt`s sometimes difficult to drag my sorry arse out of bed before dawn, but
so far so good.
W8, you are a good guy. Catch you later ?
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: London
Yeah, we need more like double 8 to counsel. My mate, aged over 60 was called into the fleet office & given the Boss's Assistant who explained why the company was going to have to let him go with immediate effect. In the middle of the explanation, Office Boy's wife phones and a discussion on whether or not she wants mayonnaise on her KFC take home burger ensues. My buddy wished there was a KFC burger handy on the table as Office Boy would have wound up wearing it. That office visit terminated 40 years in the airline industry. Charming. But, he is terribly happy enjoying retirement because he has a certain optimistic & positive attitude to everything.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Cirencester
Work for the over 60s
I was too selfish about wanting to fly to become an instructor when in the services. Now, I would like to instruct and pass on my dangerous habits and dare I suggest the odd tit-bit of wisdom and experience which has allowed me to become an old and bold pilot. However, the route to become an instructor seems tortuous and expensive. It has always bothered me how the most inexperienced pilots use instructing to build up their hours. I was heading for Flight Safety at one moment but they seem undecided on their helicopter simulator future. I'm not averse to ground instructing and not too far from Oxford so perhaps I will investigate. The ideal might be to find an owner of a decent aircraft/helicopter who wants their hand-holding/reassurance as they build their experience.
Last edited by nizwa; 1st September 2013 at 12:54.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Burscough
"Flying at 95!!
My Dad is an ex RAF Bomber Pilot (WW2)
He flew Bostons with 88 Squadron and was one of the aircraft laying smoke on the Normandy Beaches on D Day.
Just recently, he was Guest of Honour at the celebrations at RAF Brize Norton, and during his visit (I was with him) he was shown around the whole station including Air Tanker training unit.
He was invited to take the right hand seat in the Voyager simulator, and after 10 minutes instruction, and familiarisation with the controls, made a perfect simulated landing back at Brize, much to the delight and applause from the instructors and on lookers..
So when I read in another thread of people moaning about ageism in the airlines, be very humbled at this.
Dudley Valentine son of F/O Leslie Valentine CdeG RAF (Rtd)
He flew Bostons with 88 Squadron and was one of the aircraft laying smoke on the Normandy Beaches on D Day.
Just recently, he was Guest of Honour at the celebrations at RAF Brize Norton, and during his visit (I was with him) he was shown around the whole station including Air Tanker training unit.
He was invited to take the right hand seat in the Voyager simulator, and after 10 minutes instruction, and familiarisation with the controls, made a perfect simulated landing back at Brize, much to the delight and applause from the instructors and on lookers..
So when I read in another thread of people moaning about ageism in the airlines, be very humbled at this.
Dudley Valentine son of F/O Leslie Valentine CdeG RAF (Rtd)
Last edited by Dudley424; 2nd September 2013 at 14:39.





