Aged 25 and planning to switch career to Piloting.. Wats ur suggestion?
 

Hi !

About myself, I have completed my Bachelor's Degree in Engineering in the major 'Electronics & Instrumentation' and have been working in the same field for 3 years in a decent job..

Wud like to know if its late for me to take up Piloting as my career, at this age of mine (25 yrs)... Please consider that I have to start from Ground Zero. My short term ambition is to fly one of my country's national carriers as a co-pilot (I am an Indian)..

Cud U please give a rough idea of how much more time it will take to become a co-pilot with an airline after completing my flying program in a flight school. ( as U know, I am already aged 25 and I might get married in 2 years and hence dont want my career to be in any sort of mess then.. hope U guys understand)..

Moreover, I am a short statured man, at about 5'4" and will this be an obstacle?

I am seriously interested in this profession as its my childhood dream and
the best guys to ask about these queries of mine are none other than U all..

Sincerely awaiting a reply ..

Have you looked into the Indian AF? Are you in the US? Why not immigrate and use you engineering skills to make a good life for yourself and family?

-LAFF

Hi LAfrequentflyer!

Many thnx for ur prompt response..

So far, I have not looked into the Indian AF .. Are U meaning to say that this is one route to become a commercial pilot in my home country? May be, I shud look into this and shall try to acquire information ...

Hey, I am not in the US.. I am currently working in the Gulf country Kuwait . I am a Project Engineer in the German company ABB who are dealing with Power Plant projects here ..

Then, about ur suggestion on getting to US soil for pursuing an Engineering Career, this sounds gr8.. But hey friend, my real dream is to fly the skies as a co-pilot one day.

Wats really pushing me up to take up this career is first of all confidence in myself that I can achieve my goal , then my reasonable financial resources to complete a flying program..

Wat doubts really pulling me down is:-
* How quick I can achieve this goal ??? ..I am 25 nw and atleast by 27 when I presumably get married, can I acquire the flying hours in this short time in order to apply for interview for copilot position in one of my home country airlines? As any boy hopes, I dont want my career to be still hanging in uncertainty when a girl is about to place her trust in me! Thats Y I am worried how quick I can achieve this goal !!! Hope U get the point..
* ignorance about which flight school i shud choose and shud I do this in US or back in my home country?

If I can quickly find a clear answer to my above doubts, I will make up my decision on committing myself in pursuing a Piloting career..

Thanx and gr8ful to U for patiently hearing me and sharing ur ideas..

Cheers,
sss

Go For It
 

If being an airline pilot is something that you want to do; I say, go for it. Being 25 should be no factor, you are still plenty young enough to achieve any goal that you set for yourself. Your hieght might be factor for the Indian AF( I dont really know) but, your hieght is fine for working as a airline pilot( in the US). Look into your country Air Force and find out their requirements. Best of luck to you,

If you don't want uncertainty hanging over your head, this is probably the wrong business to try and get into. Not saying it's a bad industry, but job security for someone just starting out is generally low. As far as time is required, since you already have a degree you can just put your nose to the grindstone and pound out your ratings as quick as you can get them. From there you should start looking for a way to build your time up and then start applying to the companies you want to work for. It can take as little or as much time as you want; it all kind of depends on your motivation, study habits, ability, financial backing, etc.

Be advised that the aviation landscape in various countries is drastically different than in the US with regards to job opportunities, growth, regulations, training costs, and medical requirements. Most of the folks here have little idea what all of the differences really are.

Anything you learn on this site is likely to be true ONLY for the US and maybe Canada. If you have the willingness and means to immigrate to the US, then you can learn a lot on this website.

Good Luck