Too Old?

[jtilton]

Okay, this could very well be my last ditch effort to see if there is still hope for me out there ...

I am 44, working on my Private (have soloed), and was doing this as a stepping stone to hopefully get into aviation as a career move. I do realize that I am too old for the major airlines, but was told that I would be a good prospect for a regional airline, charter service, etc.

Okay, does anyone out there know what the prospects really are? Am I just wasting time? Really need some opinions.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[semperfido]

if you are doing something you enjoy then you are never wasting your time.

 

[pilotyip]

Search

Not to put you off, but do a search under "old" and I bet you will fine alot of your questions answered. It will a quick way to find some stuff out. We hired a lady six years ago as a DC-9 pilot, who took her first flight lesson at age 50

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Okay, this could very well be my last ditch effort to see if there is still hope for me out there ...

I am 44, working on my Private (have soloed), and was doing this as a stepping stone to hopefully get into aviation as a career move. I do realize that I am too old for the major airlines, but was told that I would be a good prospect for a regional airline, charter service, etc.

Okay, does anyone out there know what the prospects really are? Am I just wasting time? Really need some opinions.

Cheers,
Jeff

Never too old...but take some time to research what you are thinking of gettng into!

Do you have financial commitments (like a family?)

You should know there are plenty of guys who spend 5 years -after thier getting thier ratings- making less than 30K/yr. (CFI, Regional Pilot) Nevermind the fact that the lifestyle is downright $hitty.

Have a good job and are just bored? If so, just go big and buy yourself a nice airplane, get all your ratings, maybe part-time CFI somewhere. I know guys who have done this and are happy as can be!

think about THAT.

 

[scubabri]

I was 35 when I started, I'm 38 now, I just got right seat in a Lear 55. This is the path I took, it was tough, I had to sell everything I owned and now I live on less than I paid in taxes in 2001.

2001 PP-SEL
2002 PP MEL, Inst, comm se, me, inst, cfi, got my first job as a jump pilot
2003-2004CFII worked as a flight instructor
2004-2005 135 scheduled in a Caravan
2005-Now 135 Lear co-pilot

I'll add that it was 2002, when I decided to pursue the career. Is it worth it. I don't know, had I a wife and kids, I probably wouldn't have pursued aviation as a career.

I will say that I learned a lot along the way that I wish I had known ahead of time, it would have saved me a lot of frustration. For example, there are no cushy jobs for low time pilots, unless you get lucky and even then, don't try to skip being a flight instructor, or a jump pilot or one of the other traditional time building jobs. The experience you will get is invaluable.

Stash as much cash as you can, and if you can, double whatever you stash. You are going to spend about 20k on training, books, and other supplies, and then you are going to spend another 10-20k to build up enough time to get a job. Even though you can get your CFI-I and MEI, Multi time is key, and very few places are going to let a newly minted MEI in a twin to teach.

My recommendation is to get your CFI-I and teach a bunch, spend what ever extra money you make that you don't need to survive on to either split ME time with someone who also is trying to build time, or find someone who will let you rent a twin solo with minimum twin time.The more the better.

I think after the time building stage after you have the requirements for 135 IFR if you want to find a job flying, cargo, such as Airnet, Empire or Ameriflight would be a good option for you. You can start out in a Baron, or a Caravan, and work your way up from there. The living can be good, but the schedule may be tough if you have a family. Some guys just stay there and are happy. If you do that for a while, say you are 50 and you have 3500tt and 1500me, you might be able to find a corp gig that will carry you past 60 if you can keep your medical that long. But that will require intensive networking and there are VERY experienced and connected guys who still can't hook up. Timing and a little luck are everything.

So, it can be done, but it all depends on how much you want to sacrifice.

Do I think it was worth it?? I've had a lot of fun, especially flying the Caravan in Hawaii, one of the most fun jobs I think I've ever had, and now flying the Lear, when I'm on my way home after a trip and it's been my leg to fly, I'm on top of the world. But when the thrill wears off, and it will, finacially, I'll tell you in a about 3 years If I'm still eating Top Raman and Tuna, probably not.

good luck,

sb

PS.. ha!! listen to me.. I sound like a freekin old timer.. Hey, I might even know what I'm talking about... I'm sure that a few of you who read this will remember me asking the same questions a couple years ago. Thanks for all your help

 

[semperfido]

sounds like a very up front honest post...good luck to you

 

[crzepilot]

Find the right flight school

If I were you I would go for it, but one thing I have during my days of flight instructing, noticed in regards to getting your ratings...Find a good place to get your training, meaning not only the quality of the instruction but how efficiently the instructors are getting you through the course. And then it might be nice to be recieving your instruction at a larger school that has a continuos flow of students so you can build sometime, having a consist flow of multi students is definetly a plus because I found out that that was the only thing holding me back from getting multi time besides flying for unsafe cargo companies. I actually quit a flight school because I was coming across many students with tons of time with never even soloing, even though when I flew with them they looked like they were ready for the private pilot checkride. I felt the CFI may have been taking these students for the proverbial "ride" so they could have a consist amount of income and gauranteed time building.

 

[jtilton]

Thanks for the input. I just have this huge desire to get in the air an fulfill what I wanted to do years ago but somehow never did. Maybe it's a "mid-life crisis" or something.

I appreciate all the input!

Jeff (NH)

 

[sorenk]

Well I've done a bunch of research, not enough yet, on this very topic. Im 38. I really don't think it is a huge factor. I've heard at first Regionals don't hire over 40 unless your military or in the aviation "club" prior to 40 or so, but I've found alot of contrary evidence and no supporting evidence. I really think it's up to YOU. YOU have to make it happen. Our age is not ideal but, Be realistic, set goals, research. Private me if you want.

 

[hmmurdock]

Greetings..

If I were you I would think twice about getting into aviation right now. The industry is very shaky. I especially dont recommend for anyone over 40 or so or anyone with a family. I thought the same thing you did for a number of years. " I have always wanted to fly for a living" or " Its been a life long dream". Eventually fantasy meets the reality of the airline industry. It is not what I thought it would be, and maybe the crappy pay and work rules affect my attitude about that. Not to mention I am debt up to my eyeballs. Like others have said, you will make less 30,000k for at least 6 years now days. I would give it serious thought. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have stayed in my prior field. At least there I had a true pension. You will never see this again in the airline industry. I am 41 right now and will soon be 42.

Good luck

 

[crzepilot]

I agree with the last post it is shaky but even though I am still very young I don't think I would have changed a thing in my life. I find it to be a very rewarding job even when after a 15:58 duty and then some min rest. It is better than being stuck in a cubical from 9-5 and then getting stuck in a 2hour traffic jam day in and day out. I spend more time with my friends and family per week as a regional airline pilot than my step-father does who works a regular 9-5 job. And when I say time I mean quality time not time that i'm at home.

 

[mar2003]

If you really want to fly for a living buy your own airplane, get your CFII and teach in your airplane part time (evenings and weekends). See if you really like flying before quitting your day job. A part time CFI job may be more fun than trying to make a living at flying.

The worst part about teaching is that you don't get paid when the airplane is broke or the weather is bad. If it's a part time job then you don't need to worry about the pay.

 

[sorenk]

I thank you for your post. Before I spend the time and money I truly want to understand your side. Perhaps you would be kind enough to share a bit more of your particular circumstances and why you think it's a bad Idea for me. I have no family.

 

[mar2003]

I don't think it's bad. If you love flying and want to make a career out of it that's great. Most of the people here already made that descision.

I am just warning you about the state of the industry. Nothing will get better until one or two of the majors go out of business, or upper management gets on the ball and increases ticket prices. It costs more to drive than it does to fly.

The ERAU Capt program costs about $60,000. I am a Riddle Grad (got by undergrad there with most of my ratings) and can say their training is excellent, although they don't teach you to think outside the box and are a little restrictive in what and where they will let you go. I guess that is expected at such a large flight school.

If you get hired by Mesa flying a BE 1900 you can expect to get paid about 19,000 your first year and a few more thousand for 2 to 3 more years until you can upgrade to Captain where you will top out at $35,000 after about 5 years. If you get lucky and start in a jet you will make $35,000 in a 2 to 3 years and will be well on your way to making $50,000 in about 5 years. ATPs website has a listing of regional airlines and their pay (allatps.com). Remember 75 hours a month is typical guaranteed pay at an airline.

I just think $60,000 is a lot to pay considering it will take you 3 years in the industry (IF you get hired) to make that money back, and a lot longer to pay off any loans you may have for the $60,000.

Again the industry is not stable. I have had numerous friends invest 3 to 4 years at an airline to end up on furlough just before they upgrade captain. (Lots of jet time with no Jet PIC). The only people I know who have been successful are the ones who started in the industry around 98 or 99. Most of them have moved on to captain or FO at a national carrier. The problem is that the industry will come back and hiring will be good again. The question is when will it happen.

 

[sorenk]

Yes, Xfather in law hired at Continietial as FO in 97-- NOT furloughed. Whats better than flyin?