Looking to change careers.

[glockdude]

Hi guys just found this site.

I have a question reguarding a flying career.
I am contemplating revisiting my flight trainning to reach the commercial level. I realize that it is
very expensive to presue.
Im not exactly young anymore to say the hell with it Im going for it and not looking back. Every step forward
needs to be addressed in perspective, and extreme care.

What are the job perspectives for a new commercial pilot breaking into the industry. I assume that instructing is first then followed
by time spent up north? How many hours is needed to become somewhat employable beyond instructing?

Would you hire a 25yr old with 500hrs or a 40yr old with 500hrs. Im assuming the 25 yr old will be concidered first.

Those of you that have finished would you do it again?

Thanks

[Slappy the Squirrel]

I don't think age makes a huge difference when you have two people lined up side-by-side. In fact, I would probably hire the 40 year old since he's probably more mature than the 25 year old.

The problem with getting into aviation at an older age is not getting the first job, but you may be limited in what kind of retirement job you would end up with ie. Some of the larger airlines might avoid you, etc. Just a general rule. The other issue is if you have a family to support it can be difficult on an entry-level position for both lifestyle and pay.

[Bede]

Airlines won't avoid you because of your age. WJA has hired pilots well into their 50's.

Starting in any career is difficult, aviation is no different. You will have to make about 10 years of sacrifices though.

[cptn2016]

I asked the same questions around here about a year ago. Everyone said 'go for it!' Age can actually be an advantage because you're more likely to be professional, serious, and responsible, and that's not a slight on any of the young guys and girls, there are a lot of them out there that conduct themselves as if they're 20 years older than they are. It's just that someone hiring someone to fly a machine worth a couple million dollars filled with passengers and cargo is going to look for someone he can trust.
Like the poster above said, if you're prepared to make a lot of sacrifices over the next decade or so, then go for it! All the best!

[glockdude]

Wow, thanks for the encouragement. I am although still a bit hesitant. Its a big step one that I actualy dont mind taking.

What are some of the sacrifices that you speak of?

cptn2016, I asume you went for it?

[cptn2016]

Glock, I'm currently in the middle of completing my PPL, so yes, I'm going for it. I plan to finish my CPL within 2 years and begin a gradual transition to full-time work in aviation.

One thing I would suggest - just start with your PPL. If you're contemplating commercial, I assume you have or will have the necessary funds in order. If you get your PPL and never go further, you still have a PPL, you will be able to fly for pleasure for the rest of your life. There are those that will tell you that this is much better than a career in aviation. I don't have enough experience to tell you whether or not they're right, but they make some very valid points. There is simply no reason you have to decide right now to go beyond the PPL level. Constantly re-assess and re-think as you go. There is much to learn at this point about flying, about the industry, and about yourself, your abilities, and your desire to do this.

If there is anything I've learned in my short time as a prospective commercial pilot, it is this: show up from Day 1 and be professional, be on time, be dressed properly, and respect your peers, your instructors, and the equipment. Treat it like a 200 hr long interview and it's very likely you may have several job prospects lined up waiting for you to hit that 200 hr mark. From what I've heard you largely make your own luck in this industry. It's a very small industry and if you rub someone the wrong way, word is likely to get around. Similarily if you impress people with your work ethic, word will also get around.

To answer your question about instructing or having to head up north, again, this is one of those things you don't have to decide on anytime soon. More than likely your plans will change and evolve the more you learn about flying and about the industry. As far as required hours go to get a job beyond instructing, it seems like at the school I'm attending that the guys with 1500-2000 TT are moving on. But that's just a ballpark guess, and the industry goes through peaks and valleys. There have been times when fresh CPL's got into a right seat in a regional airline.

As far as specific sacrifices - time and money are the obvious ones. You will spend probably upwards of $50,000 to get your CPL & MIFR (and costs are only going up...). Depending on your goals you may very well require an ATPL later on. If you're serious about this, you're going to have to fly 2-3 times a week. You're going to have to attend ground school. You'll have to keep up with your readings, study for tests and exams, and most of all, read and learn on your own time. If you don't, you will fall behind, your actual flying will suffer if you don't quite understand what it is you're trying to accomplish during your training flight on a particular day, and you will look unprepared and unprofessional, bringing me back to my earlier point. If you have a family, they are going to have to understand and accept your sacrifice. They will also be sacrificing time with you and money that could be spent on other things in order for you to chase your dream. Even if you're lucky and blessed enough to have their full support, there will be times when it's tough, for all of you.

Anyway, I hope I've been able to give you some insight through the eyes of someone in a similar situation to your own. If you stay on this board and read it a lot and aren't afraid to ask questions, you will learn a lot. Most here are very accomodating to us rookies and will support and help you any way they can.

Again, all the best.

[JMACK]

Hi guys just found this site.

I have a question reguarding a flying career.
I am contemplating revisiting my flight trainning to reach the commercial level. I realize that it is
very expensive to presue.
Im not exactly young anymore to say the hell with it Im going for it and not looking back. Every step forward
needs to be addressed in perspective, and extreme care.

What are the job perspectives for a new commercial pilot breaking into the industry. I assume that instructing is first then followed
by time spent up north? How many hours is needed to become somewhat employable beyond instructing?

Would you hire a 25yr old with 500hrs or a 40yr old with 500hrs. Im assuming the 25 yr old will be concidered first.

Those of you that have finished would you do it again?

Thanks

Sell the Glock it's worth at least a couple hours in the log book.............

I'd hire the guy that will take care of business. 25 35 45 55.......no matter!

[ant_321]

With the way the industry is now 500 hrs TT and you can fairly easily get yourself out of instructing and into the right seat, assuming of course you have some connections. I personally know 4 people who got jobs right seat on a twin otter with 200 hours flat just weeks out of flight school. Of course, as was said before, you will certainly need to sacrifice for 5-10 years.

[Bede]

Wow, thanks for the encouragement. I am although still a bit hesitant. Its a big step one that I actualy dont mind taking.

What are some of the sacrifices that you speak of?

cptn2016, I asume you went for it?

You're going somewhere in the middle of nowhere for the first few years of your career. You will make poor money, work a lot. Wife may not like it. You likely won't make enough to support a family, but you'll meet friends for life. Every job on a bigger airplane will be a pay cut (you'll be going from capt on a smaller airplane to FO on a larger one). 10-15 years later you may crack 6 figures.

Best of luck.

[glockdude]

Thanks for all the responses. Im taking a hard look right now to see if its a yeah or neah. More than likely I will go for it, just want to make sure all my eggs are in order first. I dont want to stop or slow down in the middle of it. If I have to regret it later, well so be it. Id rather regret it than bitch about, I should have, could have, would have. Actualy this is where Im at now, and really hate it.

[MikeGolfEcho]

Glock, I'm currently in the middle of completing my PPL, so yes, I'm going for it. I plan to finish my CPL within 2 years and begin a gradual transition to full-time work in aviation.

One thing I would suggest - just start with your PPL. If you're contemplating commercial, I assume you have or will have the necessary funds in order. If you get your PPL and never go further, you still have a PPL, you will be able to fly for pleasure for the rest of your life. There are those that will tell you that this is much better than a career in aviation. I don't have enough experience to tell you whether or not they're right, but they make some very valid points. There is simply no reason you have to decide right now to go beyond the PPL level. Constantly re-assess and re-think as you go. There is much to learn at this point about flying, about the industry, and about yourself, your abilities, and your desire to do this.

If there is anything I've learned in my short time as a prospective commercial pilot, it is this: show up from Day 1 and be professional, be on time, be dressed properly, and respect your peers, your instructors, and the equipment. Treat it like a 200 hr long interview and it's very likely you may have several job prospects lined up waiting for you to hit that 200 hr mark. From what I've heard you largely make your own luck in this industry. It's a very small industry and if you rub someone the wrong way, word is likely to get around. Similarily if you impress people with your work ethic, word will also get around.

To answer your question about instructing or having to head up north, again, this is one of those things you don't have to decide on anytime soon. More than likely your plans will change and evolve the more you learn about flying and about the industry. As far as required hours go to get a job beyond instructing, it seems like at the school I'm attending that the guys with 1500-2000 TT are moving on. But that's just a ballpark guess, and the industry goes through peaks and valleys. There have been times when fresh CPL's got into a right seat in a regional airline.

As far as specific sacrifices - time and money are the obvious ones. You will spend probably upwards of $50,000 to get your CPL & MIFR (and costs are only going up...). Depending on your goals you may very well require an ATPL later on. If you're serious about this, you're going to have to fly 2-3 times a week. You're going to have to attend ground school. You'll have to keep up with your readings, study for tests and exams, and most of all, read and learn on your own time. If you don't, you will fall behind, your actual flying will suffer if you don't quite understand what it is you're trying to accomplish during your training flight on a particular day, and you will look unprepared and unprofessional, bringing me back to my earlier point. If you have a family, they are going to have to understand and accept your sacrifice. They will also be sacrificing time with you and money that could be spent on other things in order for you to chase your dream. Even if you're lucky and blessed enough to have their full support, there will be times when it's tough, for all of you.

Anyway, I hope I've been able to give you some insight through the eyes of someone in a similar situation to your own. If you stay on this board and read it a lot and aren't afraid to ask questions, you will learn a lot. Most here are very accomodating to us rookies and will support and help you any way they can.

Again, all the best.

Wow, this is a very useful and wise post!

I'm 25 hours into my PPL, and loving it so far. My goal is to get my CPL by 35 (I'm currently 32) and I'd love to instruct as it would combine two of my greatest pleasures. I was really worried about starting too late until a friend of mine reassured me... he got his CPL at 37 by which point he'd proven his worth at the flight school and was hired as a charter pilot. He's currently working on his instructor rating.

I'm really lucky to have a very understanding wife, and although we have a baby due in November she's as committed as I am to pursuing the flying career. We're also really lucky (although we've engineered that 'luck') to have no debt. I'm working full time, and flying twice a week...

Just as cptn2016 says, I'm seeing my flight training as a very long interview. I've become aware how tight the aviation community is and I'm doing my best to prove my character through my attitude and approach to my training...

Good luck to us all (and blue skies and soft landings too!)

MikeGolfEcho

[wotai139]

It's funny how as students/prospective students we imagine that a younger age make it easier for us to be hired. If you're ~40 years old, it's common for you to think that the younger 20-30 year old applicants will stand a better chance than you do. But if you look at it from an employer's point of view and you have the 25 year old applicant and the 40 year old applicant with similar credentials and experience, the 40 year old has more experience overall and is more mature.