To old to become a pilot?

[Scott44]

What if someone who is already more than 30 years old (like me ) turning 31 in october, decides to go back to school with the aim to become an airline pilot ? (without having any previous work experience in the aviation field.)

I have heard saying that many younger students have a lot of difficulties finding a job after they obtain their license, so I can imagine that for someone older, it should be nearly impossible, unless one is willing to work anywhere in the world flying for any company. Not talking about the cost of such Studies, and the time it takes before being able to apply for a job.

So, "mission impossible", or on the contrary, is it more a matter of will ? What do you guys think ? If airlines were the goal what are the chances with age?

[photofly]

Lots of threads on this topic, including one just recently. Try the search feature.

By the way, congratulations on only 20 posts in 11 and a half years of being a member of this site. I wonder if that's a record?

[leftoftrack]

Age isn't an issue. Lifestyle is, you want to live like a 1st year college student with a shittier location and less money than a co-op program. Your in. I know a fifty year old who decided to become a float pilot. He was able to survive 5 beaver crashes by the time he was 60. Still had work though. Love that grey hair, it means your experianced #theregbaron

[cdnpilot77]

Lots of threads on this topic, including one just recently. Try the search feature.

By the way, congratulations on only 20 posts in 11 and a half years of being a member of this site. I wonder if that's a record?

There was someone a week or 2 ago that was an OG from 2004 or very close to it and had made their very first post.

As for the topic, I graduated a college aviation program at almost 31yrs old. It was a struggle in the early years with a mortgage and kids etc. It has paid off in big ways in the last couple years though at 38yrs old. I agree with left...how shitty of a lifestyle are you willing to put up with and how long? Think crew house with 3-8 young 20 something dudes living on their own for the first time with no mommy to cook or clean or tell them to clean up their dishes, rooms, bathroom, caked on food on the stove etc...

[schnitzel2k3]

Maturity and previous work experience helps.

As long as you aren't tied down and are willing to move to find that first flight opportunity you should be find.

Industry, despite economy in Canada, is hot right now.

[Blueontop]

If you got the will, you got the way

[GyvAir]

Scott44: You asked virtually the same question in here a year ago.
If you're going to do it, you have to quit thinking, considering, asking, stewing and what-if-ing. Just pick up and do it.
Same as you would have to for anything you plan on achieving in life.
Not trying to be a prick here. I'm pretty skilled in the art of vacillation myself. It gets you nowhere.

[Canadian Skyhawk]

All good answers to the initial post.

Guys have indeed started medical training at 50 (most doctors never retire and current life expenctancy hovers around 85 - that would give them a 30 year career. Not bad).

I quit my job and started flight training ab initio at 46. I made KA captain at 51. FO at a 705 operation at 52. Upgradeable to captain in 2016 at 53. Timing and luck do help, but they have cut both ways for me.

If there's a will, there's a way.

The original poster is 30. My answer to your question is pretty obvious. Now don't wait another year and post "Is 31 to old to become a pilot?"

Fly safe.

[PropToFeather]

I'd ask the OP, "is this something you're dreaming about, or is this something you're ready to jump into and are just looking for some advice?". My responses would be wildly different for one versus the other... well, maybe not "wildly", but I'd probably give him an out like working the current job, getting a plane, and just flying for fun if it was option number 1.

[human garbage]

What if someone who is already more than 30 years old (like me ) turning 31 in october, decides to go back to school with the aim to become an airline pilot ?...

I started at 29. Instructor, then hauled ass and trash 703, and finally a specialty and management in 702. Its been a tough go, especially in the beginning (starving instructor syndrome almost lost me my Cat1). But that said, I had the desire to fly for a living that trumped common sense. If you have that too, then give it a go. Anything less than total commitment = failure.

I'd say if you have a wife and kids, then forget it. Even as a single guy I barely made it. I had to work security, deliver bank bags, paint semi-trailers, fabricate, and weld on the side to be able to afford to be a pilot at 29. If you have significant liabilities forget it sorry.

Hate to sound negative, just want to prepare you. Much of aviation is based on payoff later for hard work today. Great for a young guy/gal but for someone older it might be an investment that never matures soon enough. If you do go for it, be very careful and get where you want to go as fast as possible. You want airline, floats, bush? Figure it out and go hard.

The answer to your question is very subjective is what I'm trying to say. It all comes down to your drive to fly, so be honest with yourself. I knew I wouldn't die satisfied until I flew for a living. That made the difference between making it or not, at least for me.

Good luck. I've been there and it isn't any easy choice to make. I'm sure you will get some good advice here. Many here have been there too...

[lostkiwi]

Lots of threads on this topic, including one just recently. Try the search feature.

By the way, congratulations on only 20 posts in 11 and a half years of being a member of this site. I wonder if that's a record?

I'm in that boat too...

[Broken Slinky]

Here's an article about doing it later in life:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/richkarlgaa ... l-seasons/

[JasonE]

"vintage 1980 twin-engine Piper Cheyenne."

Ha - I wish I had a vintage 1980 plane to replace my antique 1964.

[I_Drive_Planes]

Here's an article about doing it later in life:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/richkarlgaa ... l-seasons/

I really look forward to Dick Karl's articles every month in Flying magazine. The difference between Dick and most people who are considering career change is that he doesn't rely on the new career to put food on the table. Also, he owns and flies a freaking Cheyenne. That puts him in a totally different category in terms of looking for a flying job.

I'd like to get my CPL at some point (I'm actually working through online groundschool right now) and perhaps pick up a little side work if it comes available. However, I know that leaving a solid, good paying job (that allows me to own my own airplane) for the world of the low time pilot just isn't realistic for me. My hat's off to those who can make that kind of leap. For me, at 32 with a decade invested in my career, a regular pay cheque with a pension at the end of it takes precedence over any desire to get paid to fly.

[TeePeeCreeper]

Does Dick Karl still own that Cheyenne? I thought he'd sold it when looking into the financial aspect of his upcoming engine overhauls...

None the less I agree with you as I also look forward to his monthly column!

All the best,
TPC

[I_Drive_Planes]

He still has the Cheyenne. I don't think he's overhauled the engines yet though.

[esp803]

After a 40 year career as a surgeon eh... I think that definitely puts him in another league when it comes to starting life as a pilot. I know many people who started later in life and it's worked out well for them, mind you, all of them had either or all of: House paid off, substantial savings, well off significant others, no shame. It's more than doable, just be ready for a handful of really shitty years.

E