glickmpb

All,

Im looking to get some advice on switching careers and simply dont know if its even possible. Im 49 and will be 50 next year, but I dont know if this is a dream or I can actually even do this. I have been working in IT almost 30 years, have a 2 year technical degree, healthy and understand Id be taking a pay cut. Here are my questions:

1) Do I need to get a 4 year degree to get a job as a pilot? (this is a deal breaker cause Im not doing it).

2) Can I get a decent job with my current credentials? I know I wont be a commercial pilot, but I do know I would be able to fly puddle jumpers, cargo or whatever.

3) Once I get my private license, how much more training would I require before I could get a job?

Thank you in advance

AirBear

1. No you don't need a 4 yr degree unless you're going to try for a major airline like Delta, UAL, American, SWA, etc. Right now all airlines operate under FAR Part 121 which has a mandatory retirement age of 65. There is also a lot of flying opportunities in private jets. Companies like NetJets, XOJet, Flexjet, etc. Those operate under Part 135 and/or Part 91K and have no mandatory retirement age.

2. Typically the first paying job you'll get is Flight Instructing. There's also pipeline patrol and banner towing. You'll need a few hundred hours to do any of this. You can not fly for hire without a Commercial License. It's not cheap to get to Commercial License, I've been out of that loop for so long I'll let others give you a cost estimate but it's going to be in the 10's of thousands of dollars.

3. To get a really good paying job you'll need your Airline Transport Pilot certificate. That requires 1500 hours of flying time, slightly less if you go to certain schools. Jobs that don't require an ATP usually involve flying Corporate Aircraft, or Part 135 charter and then only as a First Officer. Working conditions in these jobs can vary widely but often are not good.

There's a good reason why we have a pilot shortage. It's VERY expensive to get all the training you need. Again I'll defer to others more current than I am but I think it's going to total $50K-$100K. And then you'll have low paying jobs until getting 1500 hours, and even then the pay isn't great until you have a few years experience. You could easily get on with a regional airline but that's probably where you'll spend your career due to your age. Some regionals have "flow" programs to the major airlines, that's about the only way you'll get to a major without a 4yr degree. Major airline hiring is still very competitive. Regional airlines and some Fractional Jet Operators don't require much more than the minimums.

pmauoo

Hi there. I am 49 as well and will be 50 next year. I think I missed the boat at this point. I had my first discovery flight 8 years ago and loved it but thought learning to fly for recreational purposes was way to selfish on my part since I had a 1 year old daughter at the time to think of. Few years later, my wife bought me another discovery flight experience and caught the bug again but now I had 2 kids to be concerned about and never thought about becoming a pilot. If your on the fence and are between the ages of 30-45, I would think this dream could become your reality. Don't be like me and read all these posts and wish you made the move 10 years ago!

galaxy flyer

It’d be a very rare corporate or 135 jet operator that wouldn’t require an ATP.

GF

rickair7777

Yeah the ATP is the do facto credential of a professional pilot... the only serious professionals who don't have one are either low time or work in some niche.

glickmpb

Thank you for this post. I know I would never be a commercial pilot because of all the training and education. Its kind of a no brainer for me. However, I dont know if its possible to get some type of flying job with a few years experience? I can get my private license but then what? I know instruction would be the next step but what comes after that?

glickmpb

Well, I know Im getting up there but a dream is a dream. I just want to know of its even possible at this point, even if it is simply to supplement income. Im sick of working in IT, although I make decent money and its time for a serious look at what I want to do in my future.

AirBear

Your best bet is to contact a local flight school and have them map out what you'll need to do to get a Commercial Pilot's License. That's the only way to legally make money as a pilot. I'll paste the requirements for the Commercial License at the bottom of this.

I'd suggest keeping your IT job and start pilot training as time allows. Also get a 1st Class FAA Medical done to make sure you can pass that. You need a 1st class to fly as a Captain with an ATP license.

It'll take longer training part time but unless you've got a lot of $$$ put away it's a better option. Do intense training when you have vacation. Once you get your Commercial License you might be able to work part time as a pilot, and then continue to work on your multi-engine and other ratings.

Requirements to Obtain a Commercial Pilot Certificate:

Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.

Be at least 18 years of age.

Hold at least a current third-class FAA medical certificate. Later, if your flying requires a commercial pilot certificate, you must hold a second-class medical certificate.

Hold an instrument rating. A commercial pilot is presumed to have an instrument rating. If not, his/her commercial pilot certificate will be endorsed with a prohibition against carrying passengers for hire on day VFR flights beyond 50 NM or at night.

Receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course

Pass a knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. The commercial pilot knowledge test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions selected from the airplane-related questions in the FAA’s commercial pilot test bank.

Accumulate appropriate flight experience and instruction (see 14 CFR 61.129). A total of 250 hours of flight time is required. Time requirements may be reduced to 190 hours if training at an FAA-Approved part 141 flight school.

Successfully complete a practical (flight) test, which will be given as a final exam by an FAA inspector or designated pilot examiner; it will be conducted as specified in the FAA’s Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards.

cons

Do you even know if you'd like to fly a plane? Maybe take an intro flight and see if you like it? Can you pass a flight physical, preferably a 1st class medical? In order to get paid to fly, do you understand that you need a commercial license?

TOGALOCK

It seems that your biggest confusion is the definition of what it means to be a commercial pilot. You’re making “commercial pilot” synonymous with airline pilot. In reality, that’s a common public perception, but they’re not one in the same. Being a commercial pilot simply means that you are accepting compensation, in any form, to fly an airplane (including being a flight instructor). This could mean flying anything from a single engine Cessna to a 747. In order to do this a pilot must hold a commercial pilot certificate, at minimum. As many others have stated, most advanced jobs flying corporate aircraft or for the airlines will require an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate. Don’t let the fact that “airline pilot” is in the name of this certification. It’s merely what this level of certification is called. It doesn’t define the job you will perform with it. As mentioned, even corporate, charter or cargo operators will likely require an ATP.

The most common certification progression for an aspiring professional pilot will go:

- Private Pilot certificate
- Instrument rating
- Commercial Pilot certificate
- Multi-Engine rating
- CFI (Flight Instructor)
- CFII (Instrument Flight Instructor)
- MEI (Multi-Engine Flight Instructor)
- ATP Certificate

So regardless of what kind of professional (make money) flying you’d like to do, a commercial pilot certificate is the minimum certification you need to hold. However, you will likely need a decent amount of flight experience beyond just the commercial license (and likely multi-engine rating) in order to land even the most entry level of jobs. This where training for and obtaining your flight instructor certification will become important. It’s the most common first job for aspiring professional pilots in order to build experience.

Based on the limited info you’ve given us, being a flight instructor seems like your best bet to scratch the flying bug if you don’t want to leave IT altogether. It’s one of the few professional flying jobs out there that, in many cases, will work around your own schedule. Most other flying jobs will expect you to be on their schedule and will likely show you the door in the interview if they feel the flying job will take a back seat to your primary job.

There are a ton of different types of professional flying jobs out there. I’m sure you could find one to fit your needs and desires. But, the first step is getting a First Class FAA medical (before dumping a lot of money into flight training) and taking your first flight lesson. Professional aviation is a paradox.. You can’t get a job without experience and you really can’t get experience without a job. You will likely have a long and expensive road ahead and are likely a few years away from making any level of money flying airplanes, but it is still most certainly doable at your age. You just need to manage your life, wants, needs and circumstances to find the right fit for you. The good news is that the hiring outlook for pilots in all walks of aviation is excellent. Best of luck!