The OLDEST entering the field?

[ready2fly]

Alrighty then, first post here. I'm curious to know at what age the oldest career changer you know changed over to aviation.

Me. I started flying at age 37. I'm now 40 and awaiting the opportunity to interview with a regional........ any regional.

C'MON PEOPLE..... CALL!!!!! :banghead:

 

[clumpinglitter]

. . . I think a lot would have to do with your expectations out of the career. . . .

Excellent points - all appreciated! And thanks for the welcome and warning!

Part of the general nature of my question is that I am trying to realistically *adjust* my expectations based on the replies I receive. I'm fairly open minded about a career (or non-career) in aviation at the moment, and before I forge down a path too seriously I would like to form realistic goals for myself and my family and career. Thusfar, I'm pleasantly encouraged.

Cheers.

Hello -- I'm in the same boat as you. I'm 31, and I want to change careers to aviation. I'm working on my instrument rating, so there's a hell of a long way to go.

I know one guy who got his private, then a few years later, he decided he wanted to fly for a living. During the next year, he got all his ratings & certs including CFI and ME. He got a job flying freight in light twins. They paid him chicken scratch, of course. He ended up buying a flight school and some trainer airplanes. Now, he flies corporate and manages a flight department. He's making a good living at it. He started his post PPL training when he was older than I am now, so that's encouraging.

I also met a guy who's switching careers from engineer to pilot. I don't know how old he is exactly, but he's significantly older than I am. Right now, he's flying freight in light twins around the upper midwest. His schedule is tough, and he's flying a LOT. There's pretty much no time for a real life, because he's up all night flying and also out of town most of the time. I'm not sure if he's going to stay with it or not.

-C.

 

[kellwolf]

Stan, we were having that exact conversation at work the other day. It does get frustrating seeing people with 300 hours less than you with about 100 hours less multi getting hired, and the only difference between them and you is about 10 years.

Wheelsup, I think I know the guy you're talking about. He was in the same class as my friend that went through PACE.

 

[woodreau]

wheels,

I think I know who you are talking about also, I think he had 1400TT when he started PACE. It was fun having him in our study group because he was always stopping and taking phone calls from his managers and running his two businesses over the phone, "Don't make me fly down there to fix your problems." was a common thing he'd say. (He owned his own plane that he used to fly around to check on his businesses and to go for vacations at his horse ranch in Lake Havasu.) He pretty much understood that he'd never make it to a major and he just wanted a change. He seemed satisfied with what he's accomplished so far.

He was definitely the oldest guy in our group (at 52), the next one after him was a 42 year old musician, a 42 year old structural engineer, 37 year old flight attendant, 36-year old Air Force major.

 

[AirArney]

I'm 31 and I left a job I hated. I am now a flight instructor, building time, poor as sh#t, but still with a mortgage. Key Bank will have to sent their assault squad to come and get me, and Katrina changed my entire career change plan (go figure).

I wouldn't change a thing (Okay, maybe the money). I'm out here hustling, like going to work again, and still basking in the afterglow of getting paid to fly.

It is all what you want to do (and what your spouse will let you).

 

[MFT1Air]

I'm 51, and I'm seriously considering making the transition as well. We'll see.

 

[av8trxx]

I'm curious to know at what age the oldest career changer you know changed over to aviation.

A friend of mine was 42 when they became a pilot. After 2 years of flying (getting rated & becoming a CFI) they were hired at age 44 by a regional and proclaimed it was "Living the dream!". By age 47 the new hire enthusiasm had worn off and my pal quit as they couldn't take the B.S. and low pay. (This person came into aviation with a rather large personal worth from a past personal business). After depleating their savings and seeing the general trend of the business they decided to get out and try to make a better retirement than what could be had in the airline business. Having money saved up when you make a career change helps you to eat & cover the bills, but the life style isn't what a lot of people think it is.

 

[vaporpilot]

Man, this is the slickest forum I've ever participated in! Just thought I'd mention that before I carry on.

Thanks for your replies.

btw - can you move this back to ATP . . . seems to have died off since the move to "changing careers"?

 

[bigcat]

The Oldest entering the field

I'm brand new to this forum. This is Great dialogue. Here's my story.

Apparently I'm not the oldest but ,I am 40 yr old and spent over 10yrs in corporate america sitting at a desk as an engr.

I have the bug. Flying has been a wonderful experience from a recreational view point. On the other hand, I am frustrated with several yr.s of dealing with politics, reorganization every few months, long hours, being utilized outside your forte, and sacrificing your hard efforts for someone else's gain. The desk job comes with several good things, it's not all bad otherwise I would have departed long ago but I'm ready for a change.

After saying all that, my situation is a somewhat unique. My goal is to transition from my desk job to corporate jets within my company.

I appreciate all the various view points shared. I hope that one day I can report to you that my dream came through and see each of you realize your dreams come true as well.


Bigcat

 

[cessnajockey454]

I'm 42 and just finished up my commercial certificate - I'm working on my CFI rating now. I'm enjoying myself...and it's a good thing since I'm spending ALL my money doing it.

I think I'll enjoy teaching part-time at the local FBO - and that's as far as my ambition and imagination has gotten me so far.

 

[Tom]

. There are 21-year-olds out there with valuable experience and some of them are worth listening to.[/quote]


Hey (vaporpilot), I had my first trap on the Lexington while I was still 21. I'm 39 and I have almost 10,000 hours of jet time. But what the hell would I know about flying? And as far as getting started flying......it isn't too late until your dead. Even if you can't hold a medical, you can pay for the time and fly with someone who has the paperwork. And for the rest of you contemplating taking up flying, I have one simple question.....What the hell are you waiting for? There will not be any better time than now. Continue to come up with all the excuses you want, just don't whine about it when it is too late. I can't stand meeting people who tell me "I always wanted to fly." I am always thinking to myself, "then why didn't you?"

Tom

 

[vaporpilot]

Now THAT'S what the hell I'm talking about!

Yeah, that's the spirit. I'm going to read your other high-octane posts!

Thanks Tom.

. There are 21-year-olds out there with valuable experience and some of them are worth listening to.

Hey (vaporpilot), I had my first trap on the Lexington while I was still 21. I'm 39 and I have almost 10,000 hours of jet time. But what the hell would I know about flying? And as far as getting started flying......it isn't too late until your dead. Even if you can't hold a medical, you can pay for the time and fly with someone who has the paperwork. And for the rest of you contemplating taking up flying, I have one simple question.....What the hell are you waiting for? There will not be any better time than now. Continue to come up with all the excuses you want, just don't whine about it when it is too late. I can't stand meeting people who tell me "I always wanted to fly." I am always thinking to myself, "then why didn't you?"

Tom[/quote]

 

[atpwannabe]

Thanks for making my day. :rawk: A long day at the desk job (Engr) and thoughts that it will be another 2 years + before I could even be close to the hours to get a job flying somewhere.

I thought I would be the oldest, but guess not.

Hey, thanks for asking this question. I'm 44 and am looking to start w/ATP later this year. From what I've learned from another forum, seniority with some of the regionals is based upon age.

Personally, I'm looking to do 3-5 years at the regional level, wanting to fly the CRJ 7/9 or the ERJ-190/195. I like both a/c types. My goal is to get on with cargo, i.e., UPS and FedEX. If not, then I just stay where I am and enjoy the ride.

 

[igneous]

Well, this thread is very encouraging to me. I'm 23, a year out of college, and have been thinking about becoming a pilot. I haven't been sure if I am too old, compared to all of the people who started earlier than myself, and those who started early in the military, but I am 99% sure I can reach my goals at my age now. I just don't know the best way for me to get there. I'd love to take a fast track type program with atp, but I'm not sure if getting my ppl first locally, then going from there, is a better choice.

 

[Adam2006]

Get your PPL, and fly around a little before jump'in into 15 years of debt. Good luck!

 

[kellwolf]

Personally, I'm looking to do 3-5 years at the regional level, wanting to fly the CRJ 7/9 or the ERJ-190/195. I like both a/c types. My goal is to get on with cargo, i.e., UPS and FedEX. If not, then I just stay where I am and enjoy the ride.

You could actually get a foot in the door in cargo without even going to the regionals, and the way things are going you might even make more $$$ at places like Airnet. Just say "no" to SJS.

 

[frog_flyer]

Hey, thanks for asking this question. I'm 44 and am looking to start w/ATP later this year. From what I've learned from another forum, seniority with some of the regionals is based upon age.

Personally, I'm looking to do 3-5 years at the regional level, wanting to fly the CRJ 7/9 or the ERJ-190/195. I like both a/c types. My goal is to get on with cargo, i.e., UPS and FedEX. If not, then I just stay where I am and enjoy the ride.

might look into ameriflight bubba

 

[atpwannabe]

...I'd love to take a fast track type program with atp, but I'm not sure if getting my ppl first locally, then going from there, is a better choice.

igneous:

That's is exactly what my plans are. Get PPL first, then transfer to ATP.

Lots of naysayers out there. Just stay focused kid. Nothing is guaranteed, but, give it a try. As for me, ERAU grad, former CAP cadet, former airport ops employee. Been loving aviation since knee-high to a duck. I WANNA FLY FOR AN AIRLINE, and I look forward to doing such for at least 15 years.

atp

 

[Stone Cold]

Just say "no" to SJS.

That thar's quality, Kellwolf!!!!

I WANNA FLY FOR AN AIRLINE

I hate to break it to you, Airnet, Ameriflight, etc. are airlines. We fly cargo. Now, if you say you want to wear a spiffy uniform, have SJS, have an affliction to actually working or whatever then okay, we can work with that. This is not a knock on regionals...it's a knock on what you said and implied.

Don't say you only want to work for an airline, imply cargo companies aren't airlines, and then say you want to fly for the biggest cargo airlines out there. Also, the fast track to UPS or Fed Ex is not necessarily cargo, or regionals...it's whomever you can get the golder PIC multi turbine the fastest with (the more the merrier...I hear the competitive mins are around the 5K+TT). Oh yeah, it helps knowing numerous people in those specific companies.

Just my opinions, but I'm a naysayer...

Ahhh, now let the thread spiral out of control again!!!

edited for grammar mistakes

 

[atpwannabe]

That thar's quality, Kellwolf!!!!



I hate to break it to you, Airnet, Ameriflight, etc. are airlines. We fly cargo. Now, if you say you want to wear a spiffy uniform, have SJS, have an affliction to actually working or whatever then okay, we can work with that. This is not a knock on regionals...it's a knock on what you said and implied.

Don't say you only want to work for an airline, imply cargo companies aren't airlines, and then say you want to fly for the biggest cargo airlines out there. Also, the fast track to UPS or Fed Ex is not neceessarily cargo, or regionals...it's whoever you can get the golder PIC multi turbine the fastest (the more the merrier...I hear the competitive mins are around the 5K+TT). Oh yeah, it helps knowing numerous people in those specific companies.

Just my opinions, but I'm a naysayer...

Ahhh, now let the thread spiral out of control again!!!

Not what I was implying at all. Like the pax service just as much as flying Part 135 as a box hauler. Not suffering from SJS...flying jets is a goal for me. Period. Call it what you want. Doesn't matter.

And remember, my sentimental friend..."Reality is to me, what I perceive reality to be; irrespective of the nature of reality."

atp