Hi Everyone. I will try to make my post as brief yet informative as possible, so you can help me out.

I’ve always wanted to be a pilot since a very early age. I’ve always been reading about airplanes and learning more everyday and I was a crazy home simmer. I couldn’t afford to start training after high school graduation. I had a bachelor degree in business management and I started making my way in productions plants firms.

At 32 now, I realized that I might be wasting my time doing what I don’t enjoy as a job. Then this idea of “its never too late hit me”. I am single, have savings that can make me afford to start now. I am an Egyptian who lives in Egypt. I asked my flag carrier airline if they accept older pilots and they have an age restriction of 28, but yet again I can work anywhere as long as I will be flying.

Am I crazy to shift entirely my career at this age and leave my secure paying job? Is it doable? How long will it take me to have an ATP license? How much will it cost me (have around 60k $ in savings)I guess cheapest place for me would be the US? Can I make it to airlines? From where should I start?

I know nothing is definitive in this world, I might get lucky or not. But given the facts, what are the chances to start training at 32 and seeking a career in a “foreign country regional/airlines”.

Cheers

 

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ‎‎
Hi Mos,

Difficult question to answer as every country or region can be different in their max hiring age requirements.
Flight training is the USA may or may not be cheaper but it will not give you a lot of opportunity to network for starter jobs in the region as you will not be eligible to work in the USA.
Look at Flight schools in Greece, Jordan and the UAE.

https://www.egnatia-aviation.aero/
Royal Jordanian Air Academy > Home
aylaaviation
https://www.fujaa.ae/

The above are by no means the only ones, just the result of a quick Google search.
Training will be anywhere from 12-18 months depending here you go.
Try and get a loan based on your present job and use your savings to start paying off the loan after you've finished training.

 

It's not a certain path, but doable. I finished my basic ratings and began instructing at age 30. Flew piston charter for 3 years, corporate jets for 10, and major for 22 retiring on the Boeing 747-400. GI Bill money paid for my training through CFI.