Reality Check - Late in life start

[Canuck223]

Like many, I've always fantasized about learning to fly. Like a large percentage of daydreamers, family responsibility and fiscal reality got in the way. (Which is another way of saying that clearly it wasn't a priority, just a dream.)

So now I'm 41 years old, 6'2" and 350lbs but in general good health. Should my fairy godmother come through with the free time and money for lessons, am I deluding myself in thinking it's not too late?

Following in that line of thinking, are there planes to seek out or avoid for a guy of my size? Yes, I realize that it would largely be a function of what the instructor had available, but if the board wisdom suggests that Brand X Model Y is simply too cramped, a wise Canuck223 might ask up front what training plane the flight school uses.

[modi13]

Find the aircraft with the biggest cockpit and highest maximum takeoff weight you can. I can't think of any aircraft that would be particularly well suited to your needs, but when I was instructing I had a student approximately that same size as you, and he was insistent on using a 152 instead of a 172 to save a few bucks. Not only was it excessively cramped with two people on board, but we couldn't take more than 2/3 of a tank of fuel or we would have been overloaded. That meant that we couldn't do cross-countries, and we sometimes had to cancel flights if the only planes available had full tanks. You should also get your medical done before paying anything for flight training; the previously mentioned student got halfway to licencing and discovered that he had a medical issue which prevented him from passing.
As for career prospects, don't expect to make it to one of the majors. It may sound pessimistic, but most people who get to WJ or AC do so around your age, after 20 years working in the industry. You may also find it challenging to get your first job: unfortunately, most low-time pilots start out working the ramp in remotes locales, so if you aren't in the best shape or willing to move and make a terrible wage for the first few years, you could be SOL. Most of the pilots I know who started at your age decided on a career of instructing.

[Hedley]

Start by losing 150 lbs if you want to fit into a cockpit.

Even if you don't end up as a pilot, you will lead a considerably happier and healthier life and decrease your heart and diabetes problems by losing 150 lbs.

[goaroundthrust]

agreed, start slow running , one minute run- one minute walk . set of 5 then 10 etc

go to bikram yoga, GREAT workout and you will get in shape . I know its is tough but think of achieving your dream and getting healthy You can do it . If you spend that many years dreaming about flying , you have already proven how determined you are to chase a dream , So getting into shape or loosing a few pounds is just a little sidestep for you . I wish you all the best .....

[Hedley]

Sigh.

He doesn't need to run to burn calories, just walk for one hour in the evening, then two, then three, then four hours, as he loses weight and gains leg strength.

And, at the same time cut down the portion size.

You don't need to wear an 80's headband and spandex to a trendy gym and get your pulse up to 200 bpm to burn calories. Please don't confuse health with fashion.

[North Shore]

You don't make it clear whether you just want to learn how to fly, or whether you want to make a career at it?

Guessing about your situation - married, children, mortgage? I'd say that a career might not be the most financially sound decision you could make unless your partner has a really decent job. A commercial licence isn't going to leave you with much change from $40,000, and then there's the subsequent reality that you simply might not be able to get a job. Even if you do, it's probably at least 5 years of poor wages until you start getting back to reasonable pay levels (say $60k + a year). You have to think of the impact this is going to have on your future: retirement, educations, vacations, etc...

OTOH, a private pilot's licence or a recreational permit is well within your reach. As some have noted, a larger trainer such as a 172 is probably the best option, given your size. Getting the medical first will save you from disappointment later..

pm if you wish.

Good Luck!

[Canuck223]

Good point. I'd only be interested in a private pilots licence.

[North Shore]

Ah, well then! Your size might make things a little more complicated, but not unnecessarily so.

The other avenue to explore is gliding/soaring. It's probably a cheaper investment to learn how to fly, and, to many, is a 'purer' form of flying...

[200hr Wonder]

Well Canuck I am 6'5" 320# recently... 290# and falling slowly, the keyword falling slowly. At 6'1" your height would not be a problem, however at 350# your width will be. Take it from a guy who has walked in your shoes. First off, go get a medical, that is a non starter if you can not get that.

As for weight, really to be comfortable you should get down to less then 260# before you start your flight training. Work it in is a dual goal to get your self flying. You can listen to people go on and on forever about weight loss but really, it has to come from you to want to do it.

[5x5]

To answer your actual questions about which plane to consider for training, most comfortable will be a high wing model with doors that you access from the ground. Climbing onto the wing and settling down into the cockpit of a low wing plane is more difficult regardless of your size.

Likely, that will mean a Cessna 172 - they're available at most flight schools and will be an acceptable fit unless you pair up with a relatively large instructor as well. Remember as well that you're going to be wearing light summer clothes right now. Depending on where you live you will have much heavier and thicker clothes in the winter so take that into account. What's a snug fit now will be very tight and constrictive in winter garb. The best thing to do is go to the airport and try a variety of the planes available to see for yourself.

Not only will this provide first-hand knowledge of what's comfortable and what isn't, you'll get a good sense of what the school atmosphere and attitude is like. Some schools will be more than happy to spend time with you and discuss all of your questions, not just the comfort of the plane. Others may be less welcoming and that's good to know before you sign up.

Don't start with any school that won't give you the time and attention up front to satisfy all your questions and concerns. Their service won't improve after you start if it isn't good while you're "just looking".

[RenegadeAV8R]

In regard to what others have said; the cockpit is small in any light plane. The cockpit of a Cessna 172 is 39 1/2 inches wide door-to-door (compare that with your car).

Now... Stop dreaming and start flying.

[burninggoats]

Should my fairy godmother come through with the free time and money for lessons, am I deluding myself in thinking it's not too late?

Size issues aside, those can be fixed/accomodated, I feel that I should mention this part. While it's great you realize it hasn't been a priority until now, If you haven't been able to find the time/money in the last 20 years I seriously doubt a fairy godmother will magically shower $10,000 upon you and free up your schedule. It's never too late to learn to fly but If you want to do it then make sure that you save up the money and MAKE the time to do it. Make it your priority or don't even bother.

[Ogee]

BMI, body mass index, is flavor of the year at Transport Canada this year. Expect a lot of testing when you go for your medical, a lot more than normal.

Like the fellas above say, you are best to start on losing that 100 pounds. You aren't realistically going to into a 172 or any other trainer at 350. Maybe a 182, but even then....

Dream the dream, no problem, but start with your feet on the ground, or the scale.

[slam525i]

I wish I could be more supportive, I really do. I'm not skinny (5 foot 7 and 200 lbs) but I do think you need to trim down before you can fit in a 172 (never mind a 152).

It may not be a bad idea to go to a local flight school and get a "familiarization" flight, if for no other reason than to see if you can comfortably fit in the cockpit.

I also suspect the newer trainers like the DA20 may be wider, if you can find one.

[Shiny Side Up]

I also suspect the newer trainers like the DA20 may be wider, if you can find one.

More shoulder room, less leg, butt and head room. Having adjustable pedals instead of an adjustable seat makes the diamond trainers (DA20 and DA40) far less accomodating. Not a lot of room above my head in either of them and I'm 5'11, I couldn't imagine being 6' or taller in one, though I don't doubt its doable if you're really hell bent.

[Walker]

When it said Reality Check I thought this thread was going to go on to explain why no one should get into aviation....

[Pavese]

Should my fairy godmother come through with the free time and money for lessons, am I deluding myself in thinking it's not too late?

Size issues aside, those can be fixed/accommodated, I feel that I should mention this part. While it's great you realize it hasn't been a priority until now, If you haven't been able to find the time/money in the last 20 years I seriously doubt a fairy godmother will magically shower $10,000 upon you and free up your schedule. It's never too late to learn to fly but If you want to do it then make sure that you save up the money and MAKE the time to do it. Make it your priority or don't even bother.

Statistically speaking, our friend Canuck223 is getting a relatively young start as a Private (for recreation) Pilot for someone who didn't take the plunge in their early 20's. The stats show that the age where one has surpassed the usual obligations of child rearing, mortgage and college for the kids is in their early/mid-fifties and this is the age where a good chunk of the PPL population either takes it up for the first time or comes back to it. There's a big vacuum in the recreational fliers population from 25 to 50 where the young PPLs either go on to commercial or drop out.

The ones that in the later demographic usually have the time and $ to see it through once they decide it's what they want to do. That said it's a commitment of a good block of time and money and I'm inclined to think that the time is going to be the harder one to come by, in my case at least and I have a plane at my fingertips.

223, don't worry about the "going back to school" thing, the ground school might seem a bit rough at the time but based on what I saw in my class you'd have to be a slacker to not pass with at least a decent score. There's plenty of study material out there including prep exams if you really need it but FWIW I don't think you need more than what TC publishes. Doing ground school is a good way to test yourself and see if you want to do it and it's not that pricey. BTW, you'll have to do a minimum of something like 10 hours flight instruction to be allowed to write the exam and you have 2 years to pass the flight test or it's a re-write. Don't ask how I know LOL!

As far as A/C selection, go to the local flying club/school and try them on & see what works for you. That's how my S.O. and I chose our A/C, it had to fit both she (average) and I (6'-4") together.

If you want to go PPL, go get the medical, if you don't think you'll pass for some reason don't and go for the Rec. permit, you don't need a medical (self assessed). Rec. isn't that bad, it just limits you to CDN airspace in something with 4 (?) seats or less and 1 passenger, I'd do the full PPL flight instruction though because Rec. skips some important things that could save your behind.

OK, /Rant!

Go for it!

D

[Bushav8er]

Simple and to the point -
1) Be healthy. Obviously you will 'fit' any aircraft better if one is smaller, height can be an issue depending on aircraft - go out and 'try them on for size'. Keep in mind that each larger aircraft costs more so think of it like this; for every 50 lbs lost you save $100 and finally...

2) He wants a private licence...if your fairy Godmother shows up - go for it! Its never to late to achieve a dream/goal, and to do it for the sheer joy and accomplishment of it is a great feeling that you will relive every time you leave the ground. (And don't forget to introduce others to the joy once you're licenced)

Good Luck!

[Canuck223]

Well I guess it's update time.

The good news is I've been on a 2000 calorie diet and sticking to it since October. So far I've lost 45 pounds and my blood pressure is down. My doctor is doing back flips, particularly after I managed to lose 12 pounds over Christmas. I had to work backwards through the closet, and move the "Maybe" pants up to the front of the closet.

The bad news is I suspect if my fairy godmother blessed me tomorrow, I'm now medically inelligable. I was diagnosed as ADHD-PI, and am taking Adderall XR on work days.

[slam525i]

Oh man. I was so ready to congratulate you...

Have you seen a medical examiner about this? It could be a different dosage or a similar medicine would allow you to hold a Class 3 medical conditionally?

[Mclovin]

Well I guess it's update time.

The good news is I've been on a 2000 calorie diet and sticking to it since October. So far I've lost 45 pounds and my blood pressure is down. My doctor is doing back flips, particularly after I managed to lose 12 pounds over Christmas. I had to work backwards through the closet, and move the "Maybe" pants up to the front of the closet.

The bad news is I suspect if my fairy godmother blessed me tomorrow, I'm now medically inelligable. I was diagnosed as ADHD-PI, and am taking Adderall XR on work days.

Excuse my ignorance I know what ADHD is, but what is the PI part?

Congrats on the weight loss!

[metal]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADHD_predo ... nattentive

[ArcticKat]

Well Canuck, I hope things work out in your favour. I started working on getting my PPL when I was 41, it took 18 months and I was 43 by the time I completed my training. Remember, you don't have to pay for the entire training up front...just go as you can afford. Prepare to spend about 500 bucks every time you fly and budget for that. Congrats on the weight loss..use the same incentive I did. Every 6 pounds I lost was another 10 minutes in the air.

Once again...good luck, I hope your health situation improves.

[dazednconfused]

As for career prospects, don't expect to make it to one of the majors. It may sound pessimistic, but most people who get to WJ or AC do so around your age, after 20 years working in the industry.

My two instructors, back in 2004, have been at the airlines for about two years now. Started instructing in 2003; WJ in 2009.

It seems everyone on AvCanada has doom and gloom stories. Out of the three people i know in this industry, they have gone from low time to major airlines in about six or seven years.

[iflyforpie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADHD_predo ... nattentive

Oh crap, why did I click that link?