To old to start?

W

wolfeman

Well-Known Member
Hey guy I have a friend who is wondering if 23 years old is to late to start lessons? His goal it to fly for UPS.

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Absolutely not! I've got a student who started at 65, although he doesn't want to fly for hire. :)
 
At a certain age they do not let you fly any more. I thought at age 65 you could not fly any more. Is that only for hire?

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Your friend is definitely not too young to start. At my flight school, I find that the average age of the student body is around 28-30!
 
I started training at 34 and I am glad I started at this age.

I have real world prior experience in the executive world ranging from accounting to senior management. While that does not do much for my actual flying, it does make me appreciate what I do a lot more than if I started young.

I know for a fact and never for a second doubt it no matter how tough times get, flying is where my heart is. It's true. My worst day flying is better than my best day in any other career I ever had!

And all that said. Starting at that late of an age should not impact my long term success. I will realize my aviation dreams.
 
The barriers to entry in the pilot profession are primarily, money, money, money, more money, more money, and also money. If you have lots of money that is a good thing also. It really helps if you bring lots of money. On the flip side you should expect, very little money in return. If you like to work for free that would be very helpful. It really helps if you don't need any money.

Age...... not an issue at 23; Just drive up to your local FBO with a Brinks truck full of money and start unloading bags of money. You will be on you way in no time. :drool:
 
wolfeman said:
Hey guy I have a friend who is wondering if 23 years old is to late to start lessons? His goal it to fly for UPS.

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No, 23 is not too young to start if he wants to fly for UPS or any other FAR121 carrier. The mandatory retirement age has recently been raised from 60 to 65.

If he were to get all his training and experience in the next 10 years (certainly feasible) he would still have a 30+ yr career at a 121 carrier (assuming, of course, the mandatory retirement age isn't raised again to some new arbitrary number in which case he would have an even longer career).
 
23 isn't old at all. You'll have plenty of year ahead of you to reach your goals. Enjoy the ride.
 
darthpanda said:
Have you ever wrote this up? I'm 35 and considering a career change to aviation, currently doing my PPL training. I'm curious to hear your story.
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OK OK OK! Everyone has been getting on me to write one...I guess it's time. (I already have started it)
 
I took my first lesson in 1999 at 24, and started working on my ratings in January 2001, at 26. I was hired at NWA in March of 2008 at 33. Definitely not too old to start.
 
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