2nd chance

Hi airman , so I got the Bug A gain I had my ppl 16 years ago, But money and home life throw me off my goal. But at this time I have the money and the time no kids . In your opinion should I go for it , I'm 46 years old and time is flying quick.

Thank you

esa17

I'm in class for a 135 carrier with a gentleman who is on his second career. Flying is fun for him since he's already retired once. It can be done, it's just not easy.

rickair7777

Well, that all depends on your personal situation, goals, and expectations...

These are realistic expectations at your age:
- Become a senior FO or junior CA at a "decent" regional.
- Become a senior CA at a "not-so-decent" regional.
- Maybe just maybe finish as a junior FO at a major.
- Have travel benefits and eventually enough time off to enjoy them.
- Become a full-time flight instructor.
- Get into corporate/part 91 or 135 charter flying.

These are probably not realistic expectations
- Fly large airliners in international ops.
- Fly as a CA at a major airline.
- Make the same or more money as you would in a non-fly job over the same timeframe.
- Ever get a practical return on your training investment.

You don't have kids in the house, that's good. How about a spouse? That could be OK if she's up for an adventure and has a portable and reasonably lucrative career.

The biggest issue...

How's your finances? At your age you really need...

- House paid for.
- Retirement funded (to whatever level you require).
- Cash for training, $50K would probably do it (loans are VERY hard to get now, and you would have trouble paying it off before retirement anyway)
- Cash for living expenses during training and the first couple years as a CFI.
- Cash to subsidize your lifestyle until you become a regional CA (and maybe even then).

The last two depend on what you are used to and what you are willing to put up with. Young pilots commonly live in their cars or at crashpads and eat Ramen noodles. At your age (and my age) that's a tougher sell. If you are currently a higher-end professional you will probably want 40-50K/year just to subsidize your pay as a regional FO.

These are no-go items in my mind:
- A spouse who is unwilling to move and relies on you for a "certain lifestyle".
- Lack of a fully-funded retirement.
- The need to make significant mortgage payments (you can always sell of course)
- Lack of needed finances in hand (no loans at your age).
- Expectation that this will ever be a financially fruitful endeavor.

SkyHigh

If you are financially independent and have no responsibilities to think of then go for it. Aviation makes a great second career retirement job after you have made your money. However if you are not rich then it will most likely will ruin you.

Skyhigh

esa17

With everything you read be aware that some people live in houses with very brown yards.

2nd chance

Hello Airman,

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, house is paid off, car's paid off, and wife willing to relocate. Money available for training. So far so good! Not rich but have enough to do this. So from what I am reading, 46 years old is not to late. Any other feed back will be great! Have a good day.

rickair7777

Make sure you can pass a 1st. Class medical without any complications.

Cubdriver

How sure are you that flying for a living is your thing? The way to proceed when you are not absolutely sure is to gather flight ratings and occasionally reassess the situation as you gather them. If you only have a private pilot certificate now, then you have about ten more flight ratings or certs to gather, plus 1200 hours or more of doing something in an airplane before you are able to competitively apply to entry-level regional airlines and start pulling down the 20-thousand dollar wages first officers normally make. I would not throw my life savings down at the doorstep of a "pilot mill" (ie. AllATPs) before having pretty well decided this is what I want to do with the rest of my life. Also, you will need a college degree of some kind to aspire to the major airlines- you didn't say that you have one. Without one the regionals are the limit.

2nd chance

I'm 6 credits away from my AA aviation degree, I was thinking to attend Ari Ben Aviation now called, Aviation College in Florida. I live in West Palm Beach, and all their training are in multi, they do not require big checks to start.

TonyWilliams

Ok, for some reason I feel compelled to comment; Yes, there are guys on here with worse spelling and more advanced degrees than you, but you're in the running for a top ten spot.