Starting age somebody please HELP!!
06-26-2007, 07:39 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 2
Starting age somebody please HELP!!
hello I am 30 years old and I want to start my pilot degree. My question is, am I too old? What are the steps I need to take and what is the fastest way to build hours? Is my age impeeding a future in this career? I already have a degree in Industrial Engineering but have always wanted to be a pilot and would rather do my dream. somebody please give me direction ..i would appreciate it so much!! Any recommendations for training or schools? thanks!!
06-26-2007, 08:09 PM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,286
Oh boy, where do I start with this one....
First off, welcome. You didn't specify, and there are many different pilot jobs but I'll assume that you're interested in a career with a major airline (like Southwest or United).
You are not too old by any means but at your age you will probably want to be aggressive about pursuing the various steps in a pilot's career progression. Ideally you'd like to have the worst of the dues-paying done prior to age 40-45. Traditionally a new pilot (except military pilots) would work under horrible pay and benefit conditions for about ten years before getting into a decent job, normally at a major airline...but after that the pay, benefits and Quality-of-Life were outstanding.
Well, things have changed a bit since 9/11. The bad news is that most of the good major airline jobs are gone...the QOL is lower and the pay is nothing special, you can make the same or usually better money with any professional job. The good news is that there is currently a high demand at the entry level, and you can probably progress to regional captain fairly quickly. This demand is probably due to the fact the long-term prospects are not particularly attractive anymore.
Do you know much about regional airlines? If not then you have a LOT of reading to do. It is absolutely ESSENTIAL that you understand what regionals are and how they work because you will be spending a number of years, possibly you entire career at a regional.
It sounds as though you don't know too much about aviation. Many professional pilots come from flying families and are already familiar with the aviation world. Some recomendations....
1) Sounds like you have a day job...KEEP IT for the time being.
2) Find a school or FBO (Fixed Base Operator) at the nearest small airport and take some flying lessons. It is normal for many folks to have rough spots in their training, or problems with certain tasks, this is normal so don't let it bother you.
3) If you enjoy the lessons, get your private pilot license and do a little recreational flying. If you don't enjoy this you really have no business trying to become a professional pilot.
4) If the lessons go well start researching training options...there is no "Pilot Degree" in the US, but rather a variety of licenses which you will need. You will almost certainly have to pay for these yourself, except for the ATP which may be provided by a regional airline.
PPL: Private Pilot License
IR: Instrument rating
COMM: Commercial License
ME: Multi-engine License
CFI: Flight Instructor
CFII: Instrument Instructor
MEI: Multi-engine instructor.
ATP: Airline Transport Pilot.
There are MANY different programs that will accomplish these ratings, from 4-year university programs to 6-month cram-courses. Cost is anywhere from $35K to $100K+. Employers only care that you have the ratings and whatever flight time they require (usually 500-1500 hours for a regional airline), they don't care where you got the ratings (except military pilots always go to the head of the line).
After you have some private pilot experience you will be in a much better position to decide if this is something you really want to do.
If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask.
First off, welcome. You didn't specify, and there are many different pilot jobs but I'll assume that you're interested in a career with a major airline (like Southwest or United).
You are not too old by any means but at your age you will probably want to be aggressive about pursuing the various steps in a pilot's career progression. Ideally you'd like to have the worst of the dues-paying done prior to age 40-45. Traditionally a new pilot (except military pilots) would work under horrible pay and benefit conditions for about ten years before getting into a decent job, normally at a major airline...but after that the pay, benefits and Quality-of-Life were outstanding.
Well, things have changed a bit since 9/11. The bad news is that most of the good major airline jobs are gone...the QOL is lower and the pay is nothing special, you can make the same or usually better money with any professional job. The good news is that there is currently a high demand at the entry level, and you can probably progress to regional captain fairly quickly. This demand is probably due to the fact the long-term prospects are not particularly attractive anymore.
Do you know much about regional airlines? If not then you have a LOT of reading to do. It is absolutely ESSENTIAL that you understand what regionals are and how they work because you will be spending a number of years, possibly you entire career at a regional.
It sounds as though you don't know too much about aviation. Many professional pilots come from flying families and are already familiar with the aviation world. Some recomendations....
1) Sounds like you have a day job...KEEP IT for the time being.
2) Find a school or FBO (Fixed Base Operator) at the nearest small airport and take some flying lessons. It is normal for many folks to have rough spots in their training, or problems with certain tasks, this is normal so don't let it bother you.
3) If you enjoy the lessons, get your private pilot license and do a little recreational flying. If you don't enjoy this you really have no business trying to become a professional pilot.
4) If the lessons go well start researching training options...there is no "Pilot Degree" in the US, but rather a variety of licenses which you will need. You will almost certainly have to pay for these yourself, except for the ATP which may be provided by a regional airline.
PPL: Private Pilot License
IR: Instrument rating
COMM: Commercial License
ME: Multi-engine License
CFI: Flight Instructor
CFII: Instrument Instructor
MEI: Multi-engine instructor.
ATP: Airline Transport Pilot.
There are MANY different programs that will accomplish these ratings, from 4-year university programs to 6-month cram-courses. Cost is anywhere from $35K to $100K+. Employers only care that you have the ratings and whatever flight time they require (usually 500-1500 hours for a regional airline), they don't care where you got the ratings (except military pilots always go to the head of the line).
After you have some private pilot experience you will be in a much better position to decide if this is something you really want to do.
If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask.
Last edited by rickair7777; 06-26-2007 at 08:14 PM.
06-26-2007, 08:56 PM
#4
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: CFI
Posts: 37
Never too late unless your 59...
I started from scratch at 32. Nine months later, I have my PPL with my Inst. rating, and am halfway through my Commercial rating. I probably have another two years to go to get my CFI, CFI-I, ME, and build the 1000 TT / 100 ME time. I go to a great FBO that has “graduated” several older pilots to the regionals. The most recent success story was my former CFI who started his training in 2004 (in his early 30’s) and got hired onto a regional airliner earlier this year.
You can approximate about 2 years of flight training if you can do 4 flights per week (averaging 4 months per rating, give or take with the Commercial and Multi Engine add-on). Then add another year of full-time instructing and time building. You can also save time by forgetting the ME-I and spend some $12,000 buying ME time, because waiting for ME students might just take a while.
Where do you get the money to pay for this $60,000 career change? Wealthy dead relative, refinance your house, sell a kidney, VA program, loans, or all of the above.
Do lots of research and good luck with your decision!
You can approximate about 2 years of flight training if you can do 4 flights per week (averaging 4 months per rating, give or take with the Commercial and Multi Engine add-on). Then add another year of full-time instructing and time building. You can also save time by forgetting the ME-I and spend some $12,000 buying ME time, because waiting for ME students might just take a while.
Where do you get the money to pay for this $60,000 career change? Wealthy dead relative, refinance your house, sell a kidney, VA program, loans, or all of the above.
Do lots of research and good luck with your decision!
06-27-2007, 03:19 AM
#5
Big Poppa
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 613
Originally Posted by toeman9
Where do you get the money to pay for this $60,000 career change? Wealthy dead relative, refinance your house, sell a kidney, VA program, loans, or all of the above.
Do lots of research and good luck with your decision!
06-27-2007, 07:05 AM
#6
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 2
thanks for all your help! This points me in the right direction and I am definately determined. I have done a few flights and I love it so much. Does it help me or hurt me at all that I am spanish/english bilingual? We are going to fund this privately...we are not wealthy by any means but are not worried about the money at this point...just reaching the goal in a timely fashion. Its very encouraging to hear all this from you all. Sorry about being so naiive and green in what everything is but I will definately learn. Im ok with making very little and working my way up. thanks again!!
Any other advice is welcomed. Im sure you will see me on here as time goes by! thanks!
Any other advice is welcomed. Im sure you will see me on here as time goes by! thanks!
06-27-2007, 10:39 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 614
Find a cheap aircraft to do your training in. You may consider buying/fractional, an aircraft. That way you at least have something of value, and probably be able to sell your share when you are done for about what you paid for it. You will probably need to step on the gas a little to get your time quick enough, but dont forget to enjoy your time now, keep your goal insight, but dont focus only on that. Flying is a rewarding experience, but it is much more enjoyable when you ARENT doing it for a living. Good Luck
11-18-2007, 06:29 PM
#9
layin' in tha cut...
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: C-130 Flying Crew Chief
Posts: 138
I'm in that very same position, too. 33 years old, just started taking lessons, active duty enlisted USAF hoping to have a foot in the door at the regionals by the time I retire in a few years. More than likely I'm going to go the FBO route and instruct, just seems cheaper in the long run. I'm stationed overseas for the next 2 years but I'm already looking at bases in the US that have FBOs not too far away when we go back, plus I'm taking lessons at an aero club at an Army base while I'm overseas. Too old or not, I'm going for it!
11-18-2007, 06:35 PM
#10
layin' in tha cut...
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: C-130 Flying Crew Chief
Posts: 138
Whatever you do, I recommend that you steer clear of the PFT programs out there. I'm not gonna lie, it looked good to me initially, but everything comes at a price and we're just not talking about the money either.
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