Newb Question

Do I have a fighting chance?

  • Total voters
    48
N961EA

N961EA

Well-Known Member
Greetings fellows,

I'm 39 and will be an MEI-I this spring (2017); I have low hours (@300) since I've been working in corporate finance for the past 15 years and been slowly progressing towards the ratings as time and budget allowed.

I'm taking a break from the corporate world now for several reasons (soul draining, toxicity, mind numbing, passionlessness, nasty people, etc) and I'm forgoing a serious paycheck for some sanity, health, and detox.

My question:
Am I too old to try the airlines? I l know there are no age requirements but I'd like to know the unwritten rules and practices as well as how practical/realistic such endeavor would be for me.

Thanks.

PS: US citizen, living in US, and considering US part 121 ops.
 
My airline, granted it's a regional, hired a guy who was 63+ not that long ago. Yea, I would say you're a-ok. Definitely not too old. I've recently flown with guys that have changed careers as well and are in their mid to late 40s.
 
Dude you will have no problems. Like said above I had a guy in my class in his 60's and a few 50's in my ATP CTP.

You're worried about 39?! No need to.
 
If the above doesn't set your mind at ease, I'm just behind you at 38 with only a PPL. I'll be fine. You'll be fine.
 
N961EA said:
Greetings fellows,

I'm 39 and will be an MEI-I this spring (2017); I have low hours (@300) since I've been working in corporate finance for the past 15 years and been slowly progressing towards the ratings as time and budget allowed.

I'm taking a break from the corporate world now for several reasons (soul draining, toxicity, mind numbing, passionlessness, nasty people, etc) and I'm forgoing a serious paycheck for some sanity, health, and detox.

My question:
Am I too old to try the airlines? I l know there are no age requirements but I'd like to know the unwritten rules and practices as well as how practical/realistic such endeavor would be for me.

Thanks.

PS: US citizen, living in US, and considering US part 121 ops.
Click to expand...

Pilots retiring from the military going to the airlines are typically 41-42+ years old.
 
I'll be in a similar boat when I retire from the Navy at 41. Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You'll do fine. Don't misinterpret my story with what is normal in the airline business.
 
I myself didn't begin to fly until 50. I was a much better student at 25-35, but made it work- you'll be fine, just avoid debt.
Pitching my Cherokee 140 again, $17.5 ( loan value $27,000)
Fly your 500 hours, rent it and sell it for the same.
Plane sells, I retire.
 
texas_pilot said:
I myself didn't begin to fly until 50. I was a much better student at 25-35, but made it work- you'll be fine, just avoid debt.
Pitching my Cherokee 140 again, $17.5 ( loan value $27,000)
Fly your 500 hours, rent it and sell it for the same.
Plane sells, I retire.
Click to expand...

@texas_pilot, do you mean it would be a good idea to buy a twin (like an aztec or seminole) and rent it out while using it to build hours? Do they hold their value? I can create a pro-forma P&L but would need some assumptions verified by this board. You guys think that would be helpful? Lmk and I'll put a spreadsheet together.
 
N961EA said:
@texas_pilot, do you mean it would be a good idea to buy a twin (like an aztec or seminole) and rent it out while using it to build hours? Do they hold their value? I can create a pro-forma P&L but would need some assumptions verified by this board. You guys think that would be helpful? Lmk and I'll put a spreadsheet together.
Click to expand...
You've heard the saying 'if it has wings, wheels or boobs, it's cheaper to rent"
I believe a really good mechanical prebuy could ascertain the feasibility, whatever the squawks costs to fix, double it to be safe.
Verify how many renters you would have- and how much your insurance would be.
 
"If it Flies, Ducks, or Floats it's probably cheaper to rent" (replace appropriate consonant for desired alliterative effect).

FIFY

Build hours (XC, Nite, IFR, per 14 CFR 61.159a) toward ATP mins, and don't screw yourself by having any accidents in the meantime (you'll never live it down) and you'll be, "Livin' the Dream" before you know it.
 
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