Hello everyone. Just thought I’d introduce myself.
I’m in an aviation industry family and my father has been an aerospace engineer. I always wanted to be a pilot but forgot about it for a while when my career took me in a different direction. I got a commerce degree and worked for Bombardier on the Q400 for a number of years before getting a random office job at another manufacturing company.

Anyway long story short I’m 31 years old now and I’m super bored of riding a desk and don’t want to do this for the rest of my life. Could anyone offer me some advice on a mid career change to piloting?

I want the fastest and most effective possible way to become either an airline pilot or a cargo pilot (like flying MD-11s or 777Fs). I don’t really care which I do as long as I get to do long hauls eventually. Any advice would be appreciated.

Shoot me a PM. Let's talk.

Shoot me a PM too

I'm in the same boat. Been working for the last year to save the cash for all licenses and ratings. Should be good to go shortly, and wondering what the climate is looking like.

Try to find a part time thing. Or fly for fun. With the money you make as an engineer (designing planes, not fixing them), you could have way more fun flying privately than flying commercially.

digits_ wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:01 pm Try to find a part time thing. Or fly for fun. With the money you make as an engineer (designing planes, not fixing them), you could have way more fun flying privately than flying commercially.

Surprisingly, engineers don't make nearly as much money as people think. Most are under $100k.

Bede wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:08 pm

digits_ wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:01 pm Try to find a part time thing. Or fly for fun. With the money you make as an engineer (designing planes, not fixing them), you could have way more fun flying privately than flying commercially.

Surprisingly, engineers don't make nearly as much money as people think. Most are under $100k.

I find many pilots, particularly senior airline captains tend to grossly over estimate what many other professions make.

Bede wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:08 pm

digits_ wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 7:01 pm Try to find a part time thing. Or fly for fun. With the money you make as an engineer (designing planes, not fixing them), you could have way more fun flying privately than flying commercially.

Surprisingly, engineers don't make nearly as much money as people think. Most are under $100k.

Sure, but even with 70k or 80k you'd make more than a pilot for the first few years, and you'd be able to buy a small plane if you so wish.

I don't know the OP's situation, but I do think that people frequently overestimate the cost of private airplane ownership, see the pilot job through rose colored glasses and underestimate the value of a stable job. Just wanted to point that out.

im in the same boat im 28 have a decent paying job with summers off and wanting to be a commercial pilot. wondering what the best route to go would be thanks

The question to ask, what would make you so happy and daily interested, you'd do it for free all of your life.

For me it's exactly what I'm doing, solving puzzles that change daily, and flying (only) when I want to.

I'd literally die of boredom doing YYZ-YOW -YYC -- YVR --- never tempted for a second. For others though that's golden.

Everyone is different.

maturepilot83 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:28 pm Shoot me a PM. Let's talk.

Im in the same boat...although a few years older. Now I am in a position to pay for it I feel I would be too old to have a great career.

I'm also considering career change at age 28.
I was looking into iATPL course which seems like it could be the fastest way to go into airlines. Please correct me if I have the wrong information. But for choosing flight school, is there a noticeable benefit by going to ones that have partnerships to airlines like Jazz/Encore?

Hi everyone,

I would like to get your opinion on my situation, especially for those who are active in the market.

Age: 40;
Licences: CPL/Multi/IFR expired (have to recheck them);
Total current hours: 200;

I have a current full-time job, salary of $75k plus benefits, but never found a job that matches my passion for aviation (not even close).

Would it be a complete no sense to get back into aviation (especially due to age)?

Are there decent opportunities to build hours and a career?

Is the current market in demand for pilots in general?

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

It can't hurt to try. It's not like you're dropping $60k into licenses starting fresh.

Another thing to consider is the fact this hiring surge won’t last forever, and when the music stops your career may stagnate for a considerable time. I haven’t done the math. I’m sure others have. Just a thought...

I am 47 and just finished training and passed IATRA two weeks ago.
Running my own business that I am tired of.
Don't care about wage or working conditions-I am doing this!!!

I am 29. Considering doing this. I would be able to bring about 120k to the table for living and the training. I could work some part time jobs, and I also have a fairly large savings from working that if needed I could use. Anyone have any tips for getting started? Thanks.

mjankovic wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2019 6:11 pm I am 47 and just finished training and passed IATRA two weeks ago.
Running my own business that I am tired of.
Don't care about wage or working conditions-I am doing this!!!

That's what I'm talking about!! Keep the forum updated with your progress!

TORunner, get current and get going! Time to put your training to good use.

Your world is your oyster. You can go wherever you want. Plan it out, work to make it work, and wait patiently...

I have seen teachers, nurses, career change to pilot. And people career change from pilot to teacher, police, nurse, etc... look into your self. Your values, lifestyle, goals. Do you want a family, do you want to stay single? Where do you want to live, religion, politics, etc...

I'm on the opposite end, 40s, haven't worked a job outside of aviation since I was 14. Aviation and I have had our differences throughout the years, but we never fell out of love with each other at the same time. When she's absolutely loathed me and wanted me to pick up for greener pastures, I loved her enough to pursue her to the ends of the planet. When I have grown tired of her, she's provided me with a lifestyle few could dream of, so I have stuck around and worked at our relationship.

Life is very very short, pursue all that brings you joy. If your heart is truly in it, you'll do just fine. Just make sure your heart is in the right place. A lot of people love the "idea" of being a pilot, soon their comfort zones are challenged and their love is dropped pretty quickly.

I’m... er.... in the middle I guess.

Started flying young enough (CPL age 24) but pretty much loafed in my career until I was 38 and decided I finally needed to make a choice whether I’d fly full time or be a full time AME. With the pilot shortage and advancement rates I decided that now was probably the best time to be a pilot and went wholeheartedly into it.

But now that I’m captain at a small company with good schedule, pay, perks, and work life balance at age 40; I don’t know if I want to go any further.

Airline hiring minimums are the lowest they’ve ever been and will probably get lower and upgrade times at the regionals are a fraction of what they were even three or four years ago.

But pay is still shit on the right side of the plane no matter what size it is or who’s logo is on the side and going left if you can is going to be a huge reduction in lifestyle and a long slog to get to the point where it’s good again. Makes sense if you’re 30. Still makes financial sense at my age but at the cost of the best remaining years of my life commuting and on reserve for less than I’m making now. Even worse if the music stops or with a young captain group and no expansion plans (or expanding with an undercutting ULCC).

I'm worried for you all on this thread, the music is getting that much closer to stopping. My world is studying that music......anyway ---

That said there is almost nothing I believe in more than pursuing a dream. Just examine carefully so it's done for the right reasons, as conditions might change and then your opportunities with those conditions.

V12Diesel wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2019 9:05 am
I want the fastest and most effective possible way to become either an airline pilot or a cargo pilot (like flying MD-11s or 777Fs). I don’t really care which I do as long as I get to do long hauls eventually. Any advice would be appreciated.

You must have meant "Career change to autopilot".

There, I fixed it for you.

I don’t really care which I do as long as I get to do long hauls eventually.

Why long hauls, that is the most mind numming boring thing I can think of.

C.W.E. wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2019 7:37 am

I don’t really care which I do as long as I get to do long hauls eventually.

Why long hauls, that is the most mind numming boring thing I can think of.

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