jgheggie
Well-Known Member
It's no less useless than an aviation degree in "flight technology".
Want to become at pilot...at 34
- Thread starter bRandom
- Start date
It's no less useless than an aviation degree in "flight technology".
gliderboy
Well-Known Member
Got my first rating at age 50, first (small) airline job at age 60, very happy now flying for a busy Pt. 135 airline with good pay, nice folks and great QOL.
Got all my ratings for about 25K, never went to a flight school, passed all written exams with home study, took most of my rides with the Feds (free).
It's not a matter of 'can' you do it, all that matters is how badly you want it.
Got all my ratings for about 25K, never went to a flight school, passed all written exams with home study, took most of my rides with the Feds (free).
It's not a matter of 'can' you do it, all that matters is how badly you want it.
bRandom
Member
Hey thanks everyone for the great input. I won't quit painting, and just keep moving forward... At least focus on getting my private ASAP... Get a little "non-Microsoft flightsim time" real experience under my belt and see how I feel about it as a full-time job... I am also looking into the local airport school with the community college satellite program, which may provide some financial aid. Im trying not to be in a hurry, but the clock is ticking and I think I might benefit from getting my ratings sooner than later... maybe miss an opportunity by taking too much time.
Thanks again for all the feedback... It helps me put things into real-world perspective.
Maybe the painting will pick up enough to just pay outta pocket! Time to motivate!
Thanks again for all the feedback... It helps me put things into real-world perspective.
Maybe the painting will pick up enough to just pay outta pocket! Time to motivate!
Don't go to a university. It will take way too long. Seniority is everything. I suggest you do the ATP (company) program. Lots of friends did it. They will probably hire you as an instructor when you graduate. And they do it fast. Seniority is everything.
And pt61 no good? Coming from a 141 guy, no? Wrong. No airline, person, company or agency could give two ****s about 141 vs 61. Just go do ATP and start flying. They will take care of the financing or tell you how to.
CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
That 75k goal is a lofty one. You need to temper your expectations. In your first 5+years as a professional pilot, flight you will be lucky to break 55k, with a lot of years under 40k.
motoboy
Well-Known Member
Like others have said, don't worry about getting a flight degree. Sinclair Community College in Columbus has a professional pilot program, if you're really hung up on getting a degree along with your flying.
www.sinclair.edu
I believe KOSU has a few different flight schools, Capital City Aviation is supposedly a non-profit flight school, might be worth looking into.
www.sinclair.edu
I believe KOSU has a few different flight schools, Capital City Aviation is supposedly a non-profit flight school, might be worth looking into.
HVYMETALDRVR
Well-Known Member
Definitely think long and hard about this career change, I'm a regional pilot and I fly with a few CA's that are second career guys, most regret it. It would be hard for me to recommend this as a career to someone starting out under 25-26, impossible to recommend it to someone starting out over 30. Starting out at 34, it'll take 2 years to train if you really push hard, another 2 to get to 1500 hrs (to be hired by a airline), then probably 4-6 more years to get to regional CA. I say regional CA, because that's probably about the first time you'll see 75k at an airline. The schedule is rough too.
Not all airline pilots are treated equally either, mainline pilots that fly heavy equipment for Delta, United, American, etc are not the same as regional pilots who are the outsourced labor of the industry flying 45-70 seat jets. You've probably flown on one of these carriers before, they hide behind names like Delta Connection and United Express. If you're lucky, after about 10-13 years from starting this journey and about 6-8 at a smaller regional carrier the phone or the email will buzz with an offer to interview at a "mainline carrier." The clock is ticking however, because age 65 is mandatory retirement, regardless of where your at in your career.
This website is a great online encyclopedia for almost every carrier here in the US.
airlinepilotcentral.com
I'm not a downer on the industry, there's plenty of other avenues to follow in aviation that are fun and rewarding. Flying corporate, cargo, crop dusting are all more lucrative starting out than being an airline pilot and enjoy a great quality of life right off the bat. A lot guys get frustrated with airline flying and go this route.
Good luck in your decision.
EDIT: And all that stuff everyone else said above about having a degree.
Not all airline pilots are treated equally either, mainline pilots that fly heavy equipment for Delta, United, American, etc are not the same as regional pilots who are the outsourced labor of the industry flying 45-70 seat jets. You've probably flown on one of these carriers before, they hide behind names like Delta Connection and United Express. If you're lucky, after about 10-13 years from starting this journey and about 6-8 at a smaller regional carrier the phone or the email will buzz with an offer to interview at a "mainline carrier." The clock is ticking however, because age 65 is mandatory retirement, regardless of where your at in your career.
This website is a great online encyclopedia for almost every carrier here in the US.
airlinepilotcentral.com
I'm not a downer on the industry, there's plenty of other avenues to follow in aviation that are fun and rewarding. Flying corporate, cargo, crop dusting are all more lucrative starting out than being an airline pilot and enjoy a great quality of life right off the bat. A lot guys get frustrated with airline flying and go this route.
Good luck in your decision.
EDIT: And all that stuff everyone else said above about having a degree.
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jgheggie
Well-Known Member
I agree all of this...
....except
If you have the money or a loan then it doesn't always take 2yrs to train. ATP has a "fast track" program that takes as little as 8-9months.
I personally did my private and multi add on in about 4 months. Then took a year break to finish college. Then roughly 3 months to finish instrument and commercial, multi and single as well as all the time building for commercial.
But he is right...it can take a long time. You can often lose motivation and want to quit.
By the way...I'm not endorsing ATP or any other fast track. It is far cheaper to do the part 61 local flight school.
HVYMETALDRVR
Well-Known Member
I instructed there for awhile to get the coveted "multi" time. I don't steer people this way because it takes the fun out of flying though and its easy to forget why your doing it. Also I'm running the averages, only about 25% can do it on time in my experience. Even worse (I was the initial CFI applicant instructor there for awhile) most of them do not have the skills to match they're certification which can be and often is deadly. I literally saw probably about 10% of they're CFI applicants do all three ratings in two weeks as advertised.My biggest issue there was that they openly tell/teach you how to memorize the written tests without learning the material. This isn't a big deal for the ATP, but not the way to start your career for the Private, Instrument, and Commercial ratings which are the foundations for the rest of your career. Pretty much the definition of a pilot factory. As an instructor its good way to get time if you make it out unscathed with no violations (I have two friends that were involved in incidents/violations in the 6 months I was there) or they don't fire you for pretty much no reason. You really need to be on your game.
So I agree it can be done... But, on top of all this your also assuming the OP can literally drop everything in his entire life and fly/study 6 days/week.
jgheggie
Well-Known Member
You're absolutely right. It is rare to finish that quick even through a pilot factory. And I agree that it takes the fun out of flying. My private was boring and I felt like it was nothing but work and no fun. Luckily I enjoyed the instrument and commercial time building.
I went to ATP for my private and private multi. It went fast and....that's about all I can say about them. The school is certainly geared towards producing as many pilots as possible. So if you want to get in and out and have the money and time then it could be the fastest way.
I would still highly recommend part 61. Then perhaps instruct at ATP to build quick time!
A300Capt
Freight Dawg
What other industry is set up to allow folks with the least amount of time and experience teach such important lessons. We have CFII's teaching instrument lessons who have never seen the inside of a cloud, have never made a serious weather decision or fly an approach without sneaking a peek under the foggles (you know, one peak is worth a thousand instrument scans).
I can say that because I was once one of those young, no experience CFI's with 300 hrs. Looking back I'm not sure why I shouldn't be dead....several times over.
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
.
What ATP does is truly disgusting. They have identified min standards and that has become the goal. Get you a paper that says pilot on it and then get you on a seniority list ASAP. It looks good to the newb with the fancy ads and promises. Really kills me to see their banner ads here. Makes me wonder why I'm even here...
staledog
Well-Known Member
Good advice. On this specific topic, TAC Air at SUS is only an FBO, there is no flight training at TAC. There is a flight school as SUS, I can't remember the name right now. Google has the answer I guess.
But that also reminds me of another good option....if you can manage to get a job as a line service guy at any FBO (TAC air, Aerocharter, MWAC, Million Air at SUS/...Jet Aviation or Ideal FBO at CPS, etc.)....that is a great way to make connections with pilots and should help you down the road. I've seen many guys do it.
staledog
Well-Known Member
Here's a story about someone I know that might motivate you.
When I had my very first flying job as a CFI in 2001, there was a "girl" who I worked with (also a CFI and her first flying job). But this girl was 38 years old, and had quit her 14 year career as a veterinarian to become a pilot. Just because she wanted to. After instructing for a little while, she went to a regional airline, flew there for a few years, and then went to SWA where she has been for maybe 5-6 years now. She also had two kids.
So, it can be done. Being 34 shouldn't be a big deal because you're still single and child free, and already have a degree. Also the fact that you are free and willing to move anywhere for a job is a huge benefit.
If you really want it, it's yours.
When I had my very first flying job as a CFI in 2001, there was a "girl" who I worked with (also a CFI and her first flying job). But this girl was 38 years old, and had quit her 14 year career as a veterinarian to become a pilot. Just because she wanted to. After instructing for a little while, she went to a regional airline, flew there for a few years, and then went to SWA where she has been for maybe 5-6 years now. She also had two kids.
So, it can be done. Being 34 shouldn't be a big deal because you're still single and child free, and already have a degree. Also the fact that you are free and willing to move anywhere for a job is a huge benefit.
If you really want it, it's yours.
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I would STRONGLY advise against this route. I did it, and the debt is crushing me. I'm 34, have two kids, divorced, and live with my freaking parents. Learn from my mistake.
bRandom
Member
First of all, I just want to thank everyone for their responses... Its very nice to have a community of this many qualified individuals giving me their honest opinion, especially considering im not even technically a pilot...yet.
I guess not getting into more debt (of which I already have a huge college debt) would be of importance, but if its all lumped into the same payment (student loans), maybe it would be acceptable haha... I will keep painting and pay for my private locally out of pocket to start. Im ready to "go for it", so if I can get loans through the community college associated with the local field I may do that. I guess wait and see what financial aid options are available to me, and keep painting.... Also i'll spare the flightsim comments... Im a professional musician, and my friend pointed out to me that its like someone saying they want to play music with you, and they have 5,000 hrs. of guitar hero experience haha!
Thanks everyone!
Brandon
I guess not getting into more debt (of which I already have a huge college debt) would be of importance, but if its all lumped into the same payment (student loans), maybe it would be acceptable haha... I will keep painting and pay for my private locally out of pocket to start. Im ready to "go for it", so if I can get loans through the community college associated with the local field I may do that. I guess wait and see what financial aid options are available to me, and keep painting.... Also i'll spare the flightsim comments... Im a professional musician, and my friend pointed out to me that its like someone saying they want to play music with you, and they have 5,000 hrs. of guitar hero experience haha!
Thanks everyone!
Brandon
staledog
Well-Known Member
Those pictures look vaguely familiar.