sourdough44

No need to think so far ahead, take the 1st few steps. No matter, things could change some looking out a few years.

As those ‘1st steps’, look locally for some faster-track flight training. Just completing your Private would be a great start. If it never progressed beyond that & casual renting, you’re still a WINNER. Come on up to Oshkosh in July sometime.

There are aviation freebies you could start with today, the ‘Flight Training Handbook’ from the FAA website is a great download to start with, there are others.

A guy I know is taking lessons towards a Private in his mid 70’s. He said he may never even take a check ride, just at least wanted lessons.

You will learn so much in the quest for the Private. There are doors out there you can’t even see right now. No sense talking ATP now.

glickmpb

This is excellent information Thank you for the detailed explanation. As I said, I make good money as a systems engineer, but am sick of working in IT. I know I wont make the same money but flying is something I know I love to do

glickmpb

I already have about 20 logged hours, so yes I have flown before. I have always loved planes, so I have been thinking of the best way to get out of IT.

glickmpb

I have been to Oshkosh many times and was talking with an F22 pilot right in front of his plane. Needless to say, I was in awe. I told him my situation and then said that I was flying a Piper Warrior.... He smiled and said, thats what he started in too. It was really an inspiring moment for me....

glickmpb

This is also an excellent explanation... Thank you The terms are confusing but, given my age, I dont see myself really going past Multi-Engine. Too much school and Im done with it. Its unfortunate I didnt join the military when I was in high school because I almost did. I was just afraid of basic training

rickair7777

You didn't miss much, the military doesn't let people just enlist and jump in an airplane. You have to go to college, and except for some Army pilots, complete a four-year degree and complete officer training before you can go to flight school. It's a long road, and pretty competitive.

As others pointed out...

"Commercial Pilot Certificate" (aka CPL) is the minimum certificate to EVER get paid to fly an airplane. Without that, you cannot fly for hire.

But a CPL is not that hard to acquire, it builds on private and instrument, so take it one step at a time and see where it leads.

Commercial rated pilots ae NOT allowed anywhere near airliners in the US. For that you need an ATP, which requires 1500 hours and a bunch of other stuff.

But again, you might be able to get to that point step-by-step and if you do, the regionals will almost definitely hire you and give you a shot at jet training.

Pirot

50 is not too late to start. You will need to get a private pilot certificate, and instrument rating and then a commercial pilot certificate. All this can be done in about 300 flight hours. Depending on where you live, jobs can be had in part 135 with 500 hours, they will be restricted to VFR (no flying through clouds). The next step in part 135 is 1200 hours and that opens a lot of doors. The FedEx feeders, there are 7 of them covering the United States, will hire you at 1200 hours to fly a Cessna 208. I did this job for 7 years flying out of PDX, ABQ and SEA. It was a great job that was easy, no loading or unloading planes. There are a lot of over 50 pilots doing this type of job because you’re home every night and get most holidays and weekends off. You might consider adding a multi rating during your initial 300 hours. FedEx will be replacing the 208 with a new multi engine plane, the 408. Easy to get started with these feeder companies and the work is easy flying nice well maintained planes.

hansinla

You'll have to understand that flight training to get to a professional level (including CFI/CFII), requires a LOT of study.

loganeich

Is your IT job flexible? I have a friend that is in IT and can work remotely. One day a week he flies doctors to a small town in a King Air, and works remotely in the FBO during the day. Leaves early in the morning and comes home at night.

I got my PPL license and instrument going to fly one day a week over 20 months. I then bought a 182 and built up my 250 hours to my commercial. I now fly myself around for fun and help out on Fridays during my lunch break on a pipeline patrol. If you have a little flexibility, you can pick up oddball jobs 1 or 2 days a week. Flight instructing is best path to build hours, and many schools would be interested in a night/weekend person. I fly about 100 hours a year personal and another 150 hours doing small commercial jobs. I do this while still being an engineer at a very large company and have around 1200 hours.

I need 4 more good years as a engineer to get my daughter old enough to drive and lock down my pension/retirement. My future goals are to get some charter work on weekends, build multi/turbine time, get my ATP, etc.. to set myself up for a career change.

You can definitely keep working and become a commercial pilot. I took seven years to get to this point, but it is much slower than going to dedicated flight school. Not going to a dedicated school will require cracking the books and studying on your part to move forward in your ratings.

PRS Guitars

The training to get any job that pays you to fly will cost the same as the training to get a job as an airline pilot (what you are calling “commercial” pilot. There is no cheap alternative or short cut. It does not sound like you want to put the work or money into it, which is fine.