Age

Commercial Training

Age

CT 11/02/2010, 7:44 PM
I am 45 (46 in June) and gained my PPL in 1995. I have no other ratings but have accrued just over 200 hours (100 PIC). Last year I started, but due to work pressures discontinued with, my ATPL studies. I would like to re-start these studies, either by distance or full-time learning, which would mean a career break.

Furthermore whilst money has never been a great motivator for me, I have to be realistic in that presently I earn circa 40k with the prospect of this increasing.

What I would like to know is should I pursue my dream of flying as a career, or realistically am I too old? Whilst I appreciate I would probably not fly as an airline pilot, I would still be content with flying smaller turbo-props. I appreciate my earnings would initially drop greatly but hopefully I would eventually be able to claw them back.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Age

Paul 11/02/2010, 8:17 PM
There is a similar thread on the site below which is worth a read. It doesn't seem to be a good time for anyone to start training and age makes it harder but it seems it is possible. It depends if it is your dream and you have burning desire then you may never be happy if you don't go for it. i wouldn't give up the day job just yet though

Re: Age

Aviator|Chris 11/02/2010, 8:37 PM

Truth being I dont there will be a good time to start training for the next 30 years!

Another truth being that rubbish bin collectors are earning more than the average working pilot right now!z

Personally I look at a lot of people I know out there trying to make a living from flying and not having much luck at all! You really need to have the right type rating and be willing to travel and live in any part of the world where the work is.

Looking at some pilot job web sites advertising companies hiring, they seem very remote and range from Cessna Caravan jobs through to Charter Jets out in some places i've never even heard of!

My advice - enjoy your PPL, add ratings and visit some places that keep your skills alive. As a PPL student, the license you hold is a dream for me at the moment.

Re: Age

Morbz 20/02/2010, 10:30 PM
With the retirement age being compulsory at 65 (and limited after the age of 59) that gives you a maximum of about 15 years in the career realistically providing you get into a job more or less straight away. Its completely possible to be hired by an airline at your age but less likely in comparison to a younger person for the many reasons ranging from investment into you, reassurance of keeping your class 1 medical and aptitude.

The comment about "now isn't a good time to start training" I have to slightly disagree here, as training will probably take you a good 18 months and by then things look promicing to have picked up a great deal. With the endless lists of aircraft on order and the reasonable chances of people wanting to get away to the sun next year will be huge. The time I got into training was probably not a good time having learnt I will be coming out of training in the next few months with very little chances of a job.

However back to the age thing- if you have the money, if your not over bothered about big airlines and flying is your thing then go for it, but be prepared as stated above to have a nice drop in salary for the first 5 years!

Morbz