Hello everyone,
Here is the situation, I am a 34 years old guy, just bought the first house, waiting for my first born child, I have a good (boring) job and I have aviation flowing in my veins.
I am considering a career change and my humble goal would be to be captain of a AC Jazz Dash-8. I have no interest in international flights and I would like to be at home with my family after work. (can we call this work?). I came really close to start the courses in my early 20s but the medical exam blocked me because I am slightly color blind...
After reading about people doing the D15 and / or the Lantern color tests and pass it I thought I could give it another try and maybe do something with my life.
First question: Am I crazy?
Second question: Would you do it?
Third question: At which school would you get your courses?
Fourth question: Can I ask my doctor about doing D15 or Lantern test instead of Ihashara?
Thanks and please feel free to add anything you think would help.
34 years old and CPL
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, Right Seat Captain, lilfssister, North Shore
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cdnpilot77
- Rank 10
- Posts: 2467
- Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:24 pm
Re: 34 years old and CPL
1) Yes
2) Yes
3) whichever school would be most efficient to getting the training done quickly close to your location
4) yes....but he may refer you to an opthamologist. I am red/green colour deficient and hold an unrestricted ATPL. I too found out in my early twenties and it was a big set back at the time...did a D15 exam and away I went. I didn't get my CPL until I was almost 31...would do it all again in a heartbeat to be where I am at today!
2) Yes
3) whichever school would be most efficient to getting the training done quickly close to your location
4) yes....but he may refer you to an opthamologist. I am red/green colour deficient and hold an unrestricted ATPL. I too found out in my early twenties and it was a big set back at the time...did a D15 exam and away I went. I didn't get my CPL until I was almost 31...would do it all again in a heartbeat to be where I am at today!
Re: 34 years old and CPL
Thanks for your reply.
In regards to question #4, I have my appointment next week, should I tell the doctor BEFORE failing Ishahara test? or fail the test and then do a back flip and scream that I want to do the Lantern test... hehe
In regards to question #4, I have my appointment next week, should I tell the doctor BEFORE failing Ishahara test? or fail the test and then do a back flip and scream that I want to do the Lantern test... hehe
Re: 34 years old and CPL
I did the D15 through my opthalmologist, after failing the Ishihara test. On my initial failure, I revieved a letter from Transport Canada indicating my license was restricted to Day only and it also outlined my options, which was useful in defining the correct test. I sent the test results and a copy of that letter back to TC, and the restriction was quickly lifted.metalfred wrote:Thanks for your reply.
In regards to question #4, I have my appointment next week, should I tell the doctor BEFORE failing Ishahara test? or fail the test and then do a back flip and scream that I want to do the Lantern test... hehe
I kept copies of everything, and on my renewal still had to do the ishihara test (which i failed), but gave the examining Dr a copy of everything which she forwarded with her report. Heard nothing else, so it must have been sufficient!
Don't worry about the short-term restriction - if you are a student you are a long way from being night rated.
Re: 34 years old and CPL
This forum is gold. I feel like I could finally make it. Finger-crossed. Thanks
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ThatArmyGuy
- Rank 3
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 4:30 pm
- Location: GNSS is U/S
Re: 34 years old and CPL
Best of luck in your career change!! My advise - just don't read anything else on this forum... please remain naive.metalfred wrote:This forum is gold. I feel like I could finally make it.
Re: 34 years old and CPL
Thank you but I keep reading all I can and this upcoming appointment with the doctor is freaking me out hehe
Re: 34 years old and CPL
Hey MetalFred,
Best of luck on the vision test - seriously though, try not to worry too much - who knows, it may set off high blood pressure results! I have not had that issue, so cannot comment directly, but I can say that the TC medical branch is very good and works with the candidate on outlining options to try and get them back flying. They are definitely not trying to ground you.
I had some minor surgery a couple years back with some complications that took longer to resolve than expected. The default while things are getting sorted will be that you can't fly, but they were very helpful with questions. I found the best approach was to be up front with you medical examiner. The TC website, though hard to navigate, is quite helpful in outlining policy. Here's a link to the Civil Aviation Medical Examiner's handbook if you haven't seen it already http://www.tc.gc.ca/publications/en/tp1 ... 13312e.pdf It looks like colour vision items are listed at appendix 1-15.
As for the career change - I think that now is a great time to make the switch. I flew up north previously but have been working a (somewhat boring) desk job for the last 5 years. I'm taking a break from that and getting back into flying and haven't been this happy in a long time.
However, flying is a very different lifestyle than the desk job. My wife has been great and even though I've been super lucky to stay in the same city, there have still been some challenges. In your situation, I think your goal of a captain for a regional airline is very reachable. In the short term however, you'll have to consider the following:
-How will you finance your training?
-Will you continue working while training? (this will obviously make it easier to afford, but will mean it will take longer. Also, there is something said about totally immersing yourself in the training)
-What are your thoughts for a first job? (Are you willing to move? Will you instruct? Will you be able to live on $20,000 a year?)
-In the long run, are you and your family willing to relocate at all? I know some pilots who have not had to relocate their entire career (Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg) but these folks are the exception rather than the norm - most pilots will have to move to work.
-No matter what, you will have some overnights away from the family - is your family ok with this?
As for the school, it depends where you're located, but I would also recommend trying to find a school where you can get things done as quick as possible.
I think that if you're really bored, making a change is a good idea. It sucks working at a job you don't enjoy. That being said, it's important to take a realistic view of some of the challenges that you'll face. One of the best reviews of my book on Amazon was from a fellow who said that after reading it and having a serious discussion with his family, he decided that being a pilot wasn't what he wanted as a career. This was great! I think being a pilot is a great job, but it's not for everyone. There are a lot of bitter pilots who, for better or for worse, didn't know what they were getting into and know can't get out.
Cheers!
James
Best of luck on the vision test - seriously though, try not to worry too much - who knows, it may set off high blood pressure results! I have not had that issue, so cannot comment directly, but I can say that the TC medical branch is very good and works with the candidate on outlining options to try and get them back flying. They are definitely not trying to ground you.
I had some minor surgery a couple years back with some complications that took longer to resolve than expected. The default while things are getting sorted will be that you can't fly, but they were very helpful with questions. I found the best approach was to be up front with you medical examiner. The TC website, though hard to navigate, is quite helpful in outlining policy. Here's a link to the Civil Aviation Medical Examiner's handbook if you haven't seen it already http://www.tc.gc.ca/publications/en/tp1 ... 13312e.pdf It looks like colour vision items are listed at appendix 1-15.
As for the career change - I think that now is a great time to make the switch. I flew up north previously but have been working a (somewhat boring) desk job for the last 5 years. I'm taking a break from that and getting back into flying and haven't been this happy in a long time.
However, flying is a very different lifestyle than the desk job. My wife has been great and even though I've been super lucky to stay in the same city, there have still been some challenges. In your situation, I think your goal of a captain for a regional airline is very reachable. In the short term however, you'll have to consider the following:
-How will you finance your training?
-Will you continue working while training? (this will obviously make it easier to afford, but will mean it will take longer. Also, there is something said about totally immersing yourself in the training)
-What are your thoughts for a first job? (Are you willing to move? Will you instruct? Will you be able to live on $20,000 a year?)
-In the long run, are you and your family willing to relocate at all? I know some pilots who have not had to relocate their entire career (Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg) but these folks are the exception rather than the norm - most pilots will have to move to work.
-No matter what, you will have some overnights away from the family - is your family ok with this?
As for the school, it depends where you're located, but I would also recommend trying to find a school where you can get things done as quick as possible.
I think that if you're really bored, making a change is a good idea. It sucks working at a job you don't enjoy. That being said, it's important to take a realistic view of some of the challenges that you'll face. One of the best reviews of my book on Amazon was from a fellow who said that after reading it and having a serious discussion with his family, he decided that being a pilot wasn't what he wanted as a career. This was great! I think being a pilot is a great job, but it's not for everyone. There are a lot of bitter pilots who, for better or for worse, didn't know what they were getting into and know can't get out.
Cheers!
James
Re: 34 years old and CPL
Just to help with a timeline from training to left seat 705 category (dash 8's or equivalent) your probably looking at 10 years is that a timeframe that is reasonable to you or were you counting on it to be quicker?
