Is 26 years old too late to start a CIV flying career?

[RUNNINHORN]

I currently am a manager for Federal Express, love it, love being around the "big boys" we load/unload nightly, and am considering leaving Fedex and going to one of those all-inclusive flight schools that charge $50-$60k for everything up thru your ATP. I know you have to start at the bottom, know that it's hard starting out, have to do what you gotta do to make ends meet, may very well starve at first, but is 26 too late in your opinion to start a new career?

What is the outlook for a pilot's career do you think in the next 10-20 years?

Is that the civilian route you would suggest? Just looking for input, thanks.......

 

[PCL_128]

26 y/o is certainly not too late, but going to one of the "pilot factories" isn't necessary. You can continue to work at FedEx and get your ratings at a local FBO part-time. That way you can continue to make a living while getting your ratings. That would be my recommendation anyway.

 

[b82rez]

Who knows how the industry will be in 10+ years. But IMO, 26 isn't too old to start any career.

 

[bafanguy]

How about the military ? They have a nifty flight academy where they give YOU the $60K...and the ratings. They have a short course called "Guard or Reserves".

 

[RUNNINHORN]

26 y/o is certainly not too late, but going to one of the "pilot factories" isn't necessary. You can continue to work at FedEx and get your ratings at a local FBO part-time. That way you can continue to make a living while getting your ratings. That would be my recommendation anyway.

thanks for the reply. so say if I flew three times a week, in the mornings, do you think it would take long to finish up my private, instrument, commercial, etc? (what kind of time frame could you guesstimate)

At what point would you probably have to leave your job? I mean, after a while you would have to start doing some training or flying of more sophisticated aircraft and dont think the FBO's around here have any aircraft like that....thanks for the input.......

 

[habubuaza]

thanks for the reply. so say if I flew three times a week, in the mornings, do you think it would take long to finish up my private, instrument, commercial, etc? (what kind of time frame could you guesstimate)

At what point would you probably have to leave your job? I mean, after a while you would have to start doing some training or flying of more sophisticated aircraft and dont think the FBO's around here have any aircraft like that....thanks for the input.......

Three times a week would be more than plenty. The most important thing is to stay consistent with your training and keep going. I agree it's best to keep your job at FedEx. In my opinion the primary objective right now should be work your way to your CFI, CFII, and MEI. That way you can start building flight time and get paid for it at the same time as well. You need quality flight time so the MEI is crucial to start building multi-engine time. Do things that are easy to do as well, get as much out of the way as you can. For example get your writtens out of the way early. And get involved with your local flying club, get immersed into aviation early and frequent and you will find that it's the most fun and rewarding pursuit of your life. Educate yourself and start being professional from the very beginning and you'll be a professional pilot in no time.

The point to leave your job at FedEx would be to take a position as a pilot that will: Pay you relatively well, give you quality flight time (i.e. turbine, jet, pic) and will allow to add to your resume so you become attractive to a Major Airline. There will be trying times believe me, but stay focused and don't get side tracked.

 

[stingray]

If you do it. First leave on good terms at current job. You seem to have somwhat of an insight. as to what it takes. weigh everything as it meens to you, and make the call. 26 is definetly not old at all to start a career as a pilot. Some may say its crazy at any age, but if its something you realy whant go for it. take a few flights at your local airport first it will give you a lttle idea. Once you have the hrs in a few yrs, hell you already have an inside track to one of the best flying jobs out there. "get er done"

 

[USMCmech]

so say if I flew three times a week, in the mornings, do you think it would take long to finish up my private, instrument, commercial, etc? (what kind of time frame could you guesstimate)

At what point would you probably have to leave your job? I mean, after a while you would have to start doing some training or flying of more sophisticated aircraft and dont think the FBO's around here have any aircraft like that....thanks for the input.......

If you are flying three times a week at your local FBO and still working your day job, you easilly can get your comercial single/multi engine, instrument rating, and CFI in about 12-18 months. All that for about half what the big name flight schools charge.

After you get your CFI, you can instruct part time and keep your job (which is what I'm doing right now) or you can instruct full time and build hours sooner.

If you keep your job and fly durring your time off, you'll be ready for an airline job in about 3 years. By that time the airlines will be in their upswing cycle (hopefully), and you'll have a lot less debt to pay off.

Go for it.

 

[Metro752]

Flying is awesome, 26 is young!


Don't PFT.


There, I said it. I was the first one for this thread.

 

[RUNNINHORN]

thanks guys for the replies. So is there anyway I could get all my hours/certs/training done and keep my current job? Or at some point would i have to break off for the final training? Would love to be able to stay here at Fedex to prepare completely then possibly take one of our pilot positions i frequently see posted internally.........

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Flying is awesome, 26 is young!


Don't PFT.


There, I said it. I was the first one for this thread.

PFT? Sorry, not up on the lingo, what does that mean?

 

[PCL_128]

At what point would you probably have to leave your job? I mean, after a while you would have to start doing some training or flying of more sophisticated aircraft and dont think the FBO's around here have any aircraft like that....thanks for the input.......

Most FBOs have at least one Seminole or Aztec for multi training. That's enough to get you all the way through an ATP, so going to a larger school shouldn't be necessary. You'll save LOTS of money by going to the FBO, and you'll be able to go at your own pace while still holding down a steady job. After you get the CFI and MEI then you can leave FedEx and start making a little (and I emphasize little) money by instructing. Whatever you decide, good luck. I know we b!tch and moan a lot around here, but flying sure beats a desk job anyday.

 

[PCL_128]

Flying is awesome, 26 is young!


Don't PFT.


There, I said it. I was the first one for this thread.

Uh oh, do you have any idea what you just started?

 

[Metro752]

Yep I'm sure theres new info on PFT that some people want to share. I'm curious myself.


If no one says anything about PFT, just search this website for PFT. Theres plenty of info.

 

[Makesheepnervus]

I took my first flying lesson when I was 26, right after the birth of my daughter. I spent the next 10 years working 6 days a week and taking lessons or just building time on my 1 day off. Finally I had to take the big plunge and quit my old job for a 80% pay cut and took up full time flight instructing, which quickly led to many other oportunities. Best thing I ever did.

Bottom line: is 26 too young? Hell no!

 

[RUNNINHORN]

found someone who said something about PFT and Gulfstream. So i guess you pay them $30k for seat time????

 

[PCL_128]

Not even gonna go there....

 

[cforst513]

lol. ok, here's the skinny on pay for training (PFT). there are airlines out there that will say "runninhorn, if you pay us $30,000, we will give you a 'job' flying as a first officer in our Beech 1900 turboprop. we will also pay you $8/hr so that it is really a job." it's a way to build up turbo multi time. not sure if it's Pilot in command (PIC) or second in command (SIC). airlines LOVE PIC time. now, that having been said, the problem that peeps on this board have with PFT is that you are literally purchasing a job. that doesn't sit pretty with a lot of people. it would take you YEARS to read all the posts that mention PFT on this website. what you can do is contact The Russian, who is a member on this board, who has done PFT and is a proponent. you can also talk to Bobbysmd, who is the Flightinfo.com guru whiz smart guy of flying goodness. he'll give you an unbiased pros and cons list. i am not that smart nor am i a pilot yet, so that's all i can tell you given my limited knowledge. but if you search PFT or Gulfstream (GIA for short) you'll find a wealth of info. good luck!! and i'm only 21... you're ANCIENT to me

 

[FN FAL]

Is 46 too old to quit my flying job and get into a FedEx management position?

 

[RUNNINHORN]

Is 46 too old to quit my flying job and get into a FedEx management position?

No, not at all. I started out as a handler ($11 hr), two months later became a courier ($14.50 hr), and 10 months later (1 year into the company ) am an ops Manager ($52,500 yr). Once my 2 yr contract is up ill be eligible for the next Mgt promotion which starts at $77k a year. There is rapid upward movement if you show a strong work ethic, and drive/determination.......I love it, best job ive ever had, but just have this itch and love for flying I just cant shake.......cant really explain it either.......there will be times where i walk out on the tarmac to check on something and will find myself just staring/watching the planes take off and land out here at DFW.......

 

[RUNNINHORN]

lol. ok, here's the skinny on pay for training (PFT). there are airlines out there that will say "runninhorn, if you pay us $30,000, we will give you a 'job' flying as a first officer in our Beech 1900 turboprop. we will also pay you $8/hr so that it is really a job." it's a way to build up turbo multi time. not sure if it's Pilot in command (PIC) or second in command (SIC). airlines LOVE PIC time. now, that having been said, the problem that peeps on this board have with PFT is that you are literally purchasing a job. that doesn't sit pretty with a lot of people. it would take you YEARS to read all the posts that mention PFT on this website. what you can do is contact The Russian, who is a member on this board, who has done PFT and is a proponent. you can also talk to Bobbysmd, who is the Flightinfo.com guru whiz smart guy of flying goodness. he'll give you an unbiased pros and cons list. i am not that smart nor am i a pilot yet, so that's all i can tell you given my limited knowledge. but if you search PFT or Gulfstream (GIA for short) you'll find a wealth of info. good luck!! and i'm only 21... you're ANCIENT to me

wow, interesting, this must be something that has just sprang up in the last few years. So, if one was to go PTF, what pre-requ's does one have to have to be qualified enough to apply for a PTF position with say Gulfstream?

 

[cforst513]

i don't know the answer to that, sorry. you will have to check some webpages and see. but let me warn you: the overwhelming majority of pilots i talk to have a negative opinion of PFT. it's like the PFT guys didn't pay their dues and are just looking for an easy way to get into the airlines. PFT is good for some guys, esp. the older ones. but if you're young, some pilots think it's being lazy and a HUGE waste of money. i have no idea what the requirements are. sorry.

 

[RUNNINHORN]

i don't know the answer to that, sorry. you will have to check some webpages and see. but let me warn you: the overwhelming majority of pilots i talk to have a negative opinion of PFT. it's like the PFT guys didn't pay their dues and are just looking for an easy way to get into the airlines. PFT is good for some guys, esp. the older ones. but if you're young, some pilots think it's being lazy and a HUGE waste of money. i have no idea what the requirements are. sorry.

thanks, not saying id do it just yet, and would need to do alot more research on it and talk to alot of other folks. I dont really have the money to pay for that much, would have to probably take out some kind of education loan to pay for it, and had never really heard of it before back when i was flying previously back in the mid 90's.......

 

[USMCmech]

wow, interesting, this must be something that has just sprang up in the last few years. So, if one was to go PTF, what pre-requ's does one have to have to be qualified enough to apply for a PTF position with say Gulfstream?

30,000 dollars and a pulse.



When you get to the end of your training, this is the conversation.

GIA rep "I'm sorry, you didn't pass your checkride. See ya later."

 

[RUNNINHORN]

30,000 dollars and a pulse.



When you get to the end of your training, this is the conversation.

GIA rep "I'm sorry, you didn't pass your checkride. See ya later."

wow, and then they get their $$$ and you get nada.......

 

[Goose Egg]

Just for the record, I effectively started my flying career at the age of 24, started instructing when I was 27 (I'm 28 now). If 26 is too old, I'm screwed.

Incidentally, I also finished my BS degree when I was 27. Next fall I will start a masters program which I will finish when I am 31. The BS was aviation related, the masters degree is not.

-Goose

 

[urflyingme?!]

Hey man, welcome aboard.
I suggest keeping your job, that is unless you like waiting around for three days doing nothing just to fly!

Once you get your ratings(you don't need anything fancier than the twin engine rustbucket at your local airport) you can find some cruddy jobs. Kep in touch with your fellow employees/supervisors after you leave for afermentioned cruddy job. Come back in two years as that guy who hustled all the time and was a great worker/friend who now meets fedex pilot mins. Fly for fedex and be a pimp!

 

[FN FAL]

wow, and then they get their $$$ and you get nada.......

You got it figured out! They lured us in with the glitz and glamour smoke and mirrors schtik and here we are on the street corners with mattress back, waking up sticky, broke and confused.

Hahaha...just kidding.

I think you are on to something. If you have college under your belt and you work at FedEx, I'd say get them to help you pay for your flight training and try to get your time built on the side. I would think that your years of great service to the company and the effort put forth in educating youself as a pilot would go a long way towards getting you into flight operations. They would be silly to pass up a company man/woman/person who worked his/her/their way up the ranks.

 

[RUNNINHORN]

You got it figured out! They lured us in with the glitz and glamour smoke and mirrors schtik and here we are on the street corners with mattress back, waking up sticky, broke and confused.

Hahaha...just kidding.

I think you are on to something. If you have college under your belt and you work at FedEx, I'd say get them to help you pay for your flight training and try to get your time built on the side. I would think that your years of great service to the company and the effort put forth in educating youself as a pilot would go a long way towards getting you into flight operations. They would be silly to pass up a company man/woman/person who worked his/her/their way up the ranks.

yea, i may do that. I do have a bachelors degree, and fedex will pay $3000 a year for further education, which includes flight training. Only stipulation is it has to be from, let me see if i can remember this correctly, a PAR 121 or 141 school, whatever that means........wont cover all the costs, but its definately something.......

 

[cforst513]

$3000/yr doing part 141? not bad. you can try to stretch your training out a bit and milk it for all it's worth. $3,000 will cover most of your PPL. But since you're 26 you'll probably want to get your instrument, commercial, multi add-on, CFI and CFII, and maybe, if you're frisky, your MEI. that's pretty sweet, though, that FedEx will pay for some of the training. in a changing world where everything is about bottome line and there is no loyalty to employees, where employees are just a number and never a name and a face, that seems to be a shining star among the darkness. very nice. good luck. keep asking questions here, i've found a lot of good answers and info from the varied backgrounds.

*EDIT: part 141 is a type of training that is more regimented than part 61, which is learning at a local fixed base operator (FBO). part 141 is faster, typically, but the reason is b/c the flight school adheres to a syllabus and is under close scrutiny by the FAA. i believe the schools have to have a certain pass/fail ratio and certain average test scores, though i could be making that last part up. there is more leniency for the student's schedule and needs in part 61. also, with 141, the requirements are different than in part 61. example, in order to take the checkride for part 61 training, you need a minimum of 40 hours in the airplane. for part 141, it's 35 hours. there are differences in all the ratings, i think. lots of guys on here are more knowledgeable than i am on this. and part 121, like you mentioned, is the airlines. that's the section of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that the airlines have to adhere to.