Rob J

Hi everyone, I'm 49, 50 soon. I've always been an aviation buff, and have always wanted to be a pilot. Life got in the way, and prevented that dream. Now at 49 years young, I've been giving some serious thought on pursuing that dream.

But, I want to also be realistic, and manage my expectations.

Looking for the experts here to give me some honest, solid advice. Here goes.

As stated, I'm 49 (50 in July), single (no pets), and in excellent health. Very active, and live a health conscious lifestyle. Never smoked, and rarely drink. Most people think I'm 35-40 years old. Clean driving record, no troubled past with the law or anything. I'm squeaky clean.

Have been a successful small business owner in the technology industry for 20 plus years, but am looking for a new challenge, and career change into aviation.

I live in the Miami, FL area, right next to Miami Executive Airport (There are about 5-7 flight schools at this airport) where my son is currently taking part time flying lessons at age 14. His current flight instructor (24 years old) owns a small one man (part 61) flight school, and works for one of the majors flying A320's. I'll have the luxury of doing my flight training at that same school which is literally 5 minutes from my house, so that's a plus.

Since my home is almost paid for, my cost of living isn't too bad, and I have access to some funds that will help pay for the cost of my PPL, Commercial, Multi, Instrument, and so forth (First 250 hours). I've also got a good amount of free time to dedicate to my training.

My plan is to most likely work as a CFI at Miami Executive to gain my 1,500 hours, then hopefully get on board a regional such a Republic, and/or others, or maybe corporate. All this TBD of course.

I realize the reality of making it to the majors at my age may be a grim one, but I'd like some opinions on that.

Is this all a big pipe dream at my age, or can I pull this off? I realize the pay will be crap working as a CFI, and the first few years at a regional, but I'm willing and able to make that sacrifice.

Any and all advice would be appreciated.

As a side note, do any of you guys think the FAA will raise the retirement age to 67, and/or beyond ever? I know there's been talk about it.

Thanks, Rob J

Excargodog

I don’t think there is any doubt that if you work at it, you can make it to a regional. Where you go from that is going to largely depend on the economy. Majors take guys in their mid-fifties. Not in huge numbers, but it happens. Age 67 for 121 ops is anyone’s guess, but certainly nothing I would count on, but quite a few people continue to fly commercially in non-121 jobs:

https://www.flyingmag.com/netjets-pi...ory-retirement

rickair7777

You can definitely get in 10+ years as a regional CA, topping out well over $100K.

If the economy stays on track, you'd likely also have a good shot at some major due to retirements... whether you'd want to make that move in your mid-to-late fifties would be up to you. Financially a major is worth it at least up to age 55, probably even to 60 for the legacies.

In this climate the financial dues paying should be short, and you should get into a living wage quickly as a regional CA. The variable is your desired quality of life, and what airlines employers are available in your area (or a location you'd be willing to move to), and how senior are those bases. Sitting reserve at home is often a good deal; commuting to reserve is usually a bad deal. Might not want to suck up years of commuting to crap schedules, only to hit mandatory retirement about the time things get better.

viper548

You could get to a regional in 3 years if you trained full time and worked as a flight instructor at a busy school. You could easily be a captain at a regional in 5 years. 5 years at a regional is probably a good ballpark number, that leaves you 5 or so at a major. You'll never be a 777 captain for a major airline, but you could probably get in the right seat of one, possibly captain on an airbus or 737 for a few years. Corporate, fractionals, or part 135 would be a good alternative. The best jobs are hard to come by but there is no mandatory retirement age. If you picked the right cargo company at the right time you might be able to make left seat of a widebody.

rickair7777

He probably could but that would be more of a vanity thing... probably better pay and QOL as a legacy FO.

Rob J

Thanks for all of the quick responses guys, I really appreciate the input.

I'm doing some serious soul searching to see if all of this will work. I have to admit, it's a scary thing, and sacrifices will be made, but I'm preparing myself for that next chapter in life.

Being complacent won't fulfill my dream.

Any other advice on the best route to training from the veterans here would be appreciated. I want to make sure I maximize my limited years left.

Thanks again.

BTW, I'd love to work for AA, as me being here in MIA is an ideal location. I'm just not sure if it's realistic I'd be able to land a right seat job at my age with AA.

Rob J.

Rob J

To be a legacy FO would be my ultimate dream goal. AA, or Delta specifically.

My grandmother worked for Delta for almost 30 years. She retired in 86, and still get's a Delta pension. She's 96, and still in good health. We have longevity genes in our family.

Excargodog

It all depend upon how badly you want it. You could get a job at an AA wholly owned today if you were ATP eligible. OK, and a ME rating and 25 hours of ME. If flow stays around, you could be in the right seat of the junior AA aircraft 5-6 years later.

Hacker15e

Nope! There was a 61 year old in my major airline's indoc class a couple years ago, and he was incredibly happy to be there.

DontLookDown

Since you live in Miami it’s worth mentioning that I believe Spirit airlines does their initial training in Miramar FL.

I also believe they hire ground instructors at 1500 hours with a guaranteed interview for FO after a couple years.

I’d imagine that isn’t an easy job to get. If you could pull it off though, you could go from 0 flight hours to working for a major airline in less than 5 years and without having to move

You could also likely go back to ground instructing after 65 if you felt like you weren’t comfortable enough to retire at that point