Am I too old to start training for airline pilot?

[Flying Tart]

I’m 35 now, working as a flight dispatcher for a major, so I have a good amount of background knowledge.

I’m considering getting flight training and start a path to become a pilot at the same company. (I didn’t get to start my training earlier in my life because of some personal circumstances.)

Given that I can only do part time training and flying outside of work, and I know the large amount of hours I have to put in before I can remotely considered to be hired, I’m just wondering if the plan is feasible at all if I put in 10 days per month into it.

[Found]

35 is not to old and 10 days a month is plenty of time. I have seen many people older working full time do what have done.

[RoAF-Mig21]

Absolutely not too old. You can easily do it. The problem is getting that first job, with 200 hrs and the low pay that you'll have to endure, until you are qualified for the left seat on a B200, B1900, etc

[kilocharliemike]

Ha Ha, this is always a ridiculous topic to me. I got my CPL at 38, zero regrets.

[RoAF-Mig21]

Ha Ha, this is always a ridiculous topic to me. I got my CPL at 38, zero regrets.

"Ridiculous"? How is it a "ridiculous" question? At 38, most people are settled down with families and financial commitments. It's not so easy to make such a radical shift. Sure, if you're single and rent a one bedroom, it's easier to make that move.

[nohojob]

Because of your age which is also when I started to work as a pilot by the way, I would do the training as fast as possible.
Could you take a leave of 6 months and do multi com ifr ?
To make it quick an option is to do all the flying in a sunny state in US and convert afterward.
Just an idea...

[kilocharliemike]

Ha Ha, this is always a ridiculous topic to me. I got my CPL at 38, zero regrets.

"Ridiculous"? How is it a "ridiculous" question? At 38, most people are settled down with families and financial commitments. It's not so easy to make such a radical shift. Sure, if you're single and rent a one bedroom, it's easier to make that move.

I completely agree, so the real question should be...with financial commitments and a family can I make this move, weather you are 25 or 38.

Do a search on this in here. This is a common question. Manage your business and anything is possible, age is never the factor, and it will never be easy, I would never describe anything I did, or anything in this business as easy...

[jayemtl]

There's a guy on You tube with a channel dedicated to becoming an airline pilot post 50, interesting channel so check it out. His name is Trent Dyrsmid or something I like that I think.

[Flying Tart]

One year after I posted this, I have started training and just passed 30 hours.

(It took TC 6 months to issue the medical)

[Red_Comet]

Great to hear, also beware of guys that say you can get a CPL, Multi and Group 1 IFR in 6 months. I don't know anyone in real life who has done this, and I sure as hell couldn't do it and stay sane. There is a TON of knowledge you need to absorb for each one of those ratings/licenses, so I would plan around 2 years as a realistic time frame (part-time). Less if doing it full time (~1yr).

Weather, a/c maintenance, and the needs of the human body/mind/soul will all affect progress. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

[RayJr]

Congrats! I'm also a late bloomer
For me, I set my sights on company that isn't a 'destination' company for youngsters. 25 year old guys with more seniority then you and no intention to leave means you may never get a 'senior' schedule. Regionals (or corporate) offer better opportunities for better schedules. The younger guys move on to AC and WJ leaving you higher on the scale.
You said you want to stay at your company, but you're going to have to leave for a least a while unless your company is a FTU. You'll need to get hours before you can come back. Keep an open mind to working elsewhere. Picky and Choosy are rarely options.
Good luck!

[ant_321]

Great to hear, also beware of guys that say you can get a CPL, Multi and Group 1 IFR in 6 months. I don't know anyone in real life who has done this, and I sure as hell couldn't do it and stay sane. There is a TON of knowledge you need to absorb for each one of those ratings/licenses, so I would plan around 2 years as a realistic time frame. More if doing it part-time.

Weather, a/c maintenance, and the needs of the human body/mind/soul will all affect progress. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

If you are full time at a school with decent aircraft availability it shouldn’t take you 2 years. I know plenty of people that did it all in about a year. I did it in 10 months. I do agree that 6 months seems unlikely.

[Red_Comet]

Meant to say 2 yrs part-time, 1 yr full time. Those are more realistic timeframes.

[kilocharliemike]

Ha Ha, this is always a ridiculous topic to me. I got my CPL at 38, zero regrets.

"Ridiculous"? How is it a "ridiculous" question? At 38, most people are settled down with families and financial commitments. It's not so easy to make such a radical shift. Sure, if you're single and rent a one bedroom, it's easier to make that move.

Haha never saw this, the point of my comment was that if you want it, do it. If you want it easy don’t do it. I had it all Mortgage kids dogs cats blah blah. You make it work, its on you. I hope the OP did it!

[newlygrounded]

Ha Ha, this is always a ridiculous topic to me. I got my CPL at 38, zero regrets.

"Ridiculous"? How is it a "ridiculous" question? At 38, most people are settled down with families and financial commitments. It's not so easy to make such a radical shift. Sure, if you're single and rent a one bedroom, it's easier to make that move.

Haha never saw this, the point of my comment was that if you want it, do it. If you want it easy don’t do it. I had it all Mortgage kids dogs cats blah blah. You make it work, its on you. I hope the OP did it!

Hand waiving away massive lifestyle changes is a recipe for divorce!

[AP26]

Just turned 41 and working on my Cpl & group 1 now.

Never too late and life is too short!

[redlaser]

Forget becoming an airline pilot, become a drone pilot instead the future is in pilot less aircraft, thats the future in aviation

[huli_zcg]

it's not only about age but also if you get internal referral.
the people who get airline job at 35+ , I guess many of then got internal referral.

[PilotD'Mello]

Even if you are in your 50's it's never too late to live your dream. Most pilots who start second career did so because flying back then didn't pay well or for other financial reasons.