rapsak

Hello all,

Seeking some guidance and maybe some advice.

I have been working at the corporate level for the last 14 years, mostly in the auto industry as a procurement/buyer – current in marketing in a not really senior role .

Thing is…I can’t bare doing that anymore. But I`m still 36 ( 37 in 2 months )

For most of my childhood being a pilot was my dream. But back home it was very expensive and I couldn’t afford so I end up having a BA in business and a MBA in Foreigner Trade.

Last year I did a (re)discovery flight and loved every single minute of it and that childhood spark came alive.

What made me think, should I tried this now??

Gladly my wife have a very promissory carrier so I can afford not making as much as I do right now and having Insurance covered plus all the perks of a Corporative job.

My Best case Scenario ->

I don’t have any aspiration of getting to a big Airline and flying a 747 across the Globe.

I would like to get a Cargo Feeder Job – something like a 208 Caravan, flying maybe 3 days and stay at home with my daughter for 3 getting something like 40-50k year.

Or Getting less hours but sleeping at my own bed most of the week.

Is it too much of a Dream for a 36 (almost 37 ) years old foreigner?

Please be honest, I won’t get upset – I Can handle the truth !

TiredSoul

You actually could 5 years from now.
Instruction is not for everybody but just for the sake of the discussion:

0- CFI 9 months
250-1500hrs 2 years instruction
1500-3000 hrs 2 years at a Regional
Apply at an ACMI

In any case you could be at a Regional in 3 years from now with a 25 year career to go.

ESQ702

Go for it man. You’re not too old and if you can fly without trying to maintain a second job while building time it’ll go fairly quick. Just beware of loans for flight instruction.

Miso

Your success at this point will depend quite a bit on the support of your family and your commitment to follow through in the face of naysayers...
When I was 26 years old I had a career in a different field, but started flying and finally soloed a C-152. The bug bit me, but I was scared to commit. What if I failed?... Everyone said I was too old to start from scratch, and that tons of guys with degrees in aviation had hundreds more flight hours than I had. That fear made me hesitate until someone asked me this: “When you are 70 years old looking back at your life will you regret not trying to be a pilot?”
At that point I was all in, I quit my job, sold my house, and went to a flight school to get all my ratings in under a year.
I studied all day, and worked my tail off (28+ days a month) at night to pay for it all. Eventually I had the hours to be qualified to interview, and then studied aggressively for that, and ended up as an F.O. at a regional airline at 29.
Long story short, work hard, be positive, don’t accept the naysayers opinions...You do you. You might be surprised where you end up...I am 52 now, and a wide body Capt.
flying a Purple tail...I hope the best for you and your future success.

MadmanX2

I started flying at age 38. I wasn't anticipating getting the ATP. I did not anticipate on flying turbine. It just all happened.

Don't plan on flying for a company 3 times a week unless you own the business, or at least the owner is your best friend. To fly for a paycheck means you fly. But don't let that scare you away. I did well and never went to an airline.

Expect to move around early in your career until you build hours. Air ambulance might be good for you. 12 hours on and 12 hours off, usually 7 days on and 7 days off and mostly out and back flights and be home every night. Or day. It is shift work, one week days, next shift 7 nights.

Avoid loans for aviation if at all possible. Expect crappy jobs until the flight hours are built up.

Don't get old and wish you had at least tried. I was hesitant to make a change at first but now I have no regrets. Aviation has been good to me.