Am I too old to have a flying career?

Closed Thread Subscribe

Page 5 of 5

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

03-24-2008, 09:08 AM

#41

jpoindex

On Reserve

Joined APC: Jan 2008

Position: Private Pilot

Posts: 15

Nipopolis,

Your story sounds very similar to mine. Yours is truly a success story. I am getting mix emotions about what my heart is set on. I am 46 and an IT profession. I am currently working on my instrument which is taking longer than expected due to bills/family. I too have a second job to pay down bills and support the family with hopes of supporting the flight training.

Do you mind if I asked you your age? I feel it is worth the sacrifice, in the long run it will pay off.

My big issue is affording the pay cut. I realized a career change at this stage in my life would be 25% what I make now. That's my dilemma and how to supplement my income. Should I fly part-time and keep my full-time IT job or visa versa.

Thanks for sharing your experiences; I feel that I am not alone. This path has been walk before.

~Jeff

03-24-2008, 09:36 AM

#42

jpoindex

On Reserve

Joined APC: Jan 2008

Position: Private Pilot

Posts: 15

Thanks ATP, I visited wai.com and find its very resourceful. I will definitely apply. Appreciate your words of encouragement.

04-09-2008, 06:26 AM

#43

malflyer

New Hire

Joined APC: Mar 2008

Position: CFI/CFII

Posts: 5

I left a career as a nurse to be a pilot at age 33. If I can do it, you can too. Good Luck.

04-10-2008, 03:59 AM

#44

meeko031

alchemist

Joined APC: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,089

It's never too late, don't let anyone tell you that you can't!!! Try and find out for yourself!!!

04-10-2008, 07:38 PM

#45

jpoindex

On Reserve

Joined APC: Jan 2008

Position: Private Pilot

Posts: 15

Thanks I need some encouragement.

06-10-2011, 07:10 AM

#46

Naveen

New Hire

Joined APC: Jun 2011

Posts: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nipopolis

I'll try to keep it short. I studied aviation in college but couldn't afford to fly. I wanted to fly for a living but my first job out of college was in IT. I did that for 14 years with various companies. I started my flight training in 1998 and followded my private with an instrument rating, commercial/twin ratings and then got busy with work and just flew all I could for until 2003 when I was down sized from my company. They call it right sizing so you don't feel bad about being fired... As I stated, I wanted to fly for a living but after a couple of years in IT, I made too much money to walk away from it and start instructing. When I was down sized, I decided that was my chance to follow my dream. I finished my cfi ratings as quickly as I could and was lucky to find an instructing job. It didn't pay my bills so I also took another part time job to make the money I needed to survive. Over the past year and a half I have giving 600 hours of dual and was lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time and was just hired by ASA. It hasn't been easy but I kept chugging along and I never gave up. If it's what you want to do, do it.

Nipopolis

P.S. I did all my training at local airports and I'm right at 1000 hours.

Hi Nipopolis !

I am in the same boat as you were . I am interested in getting a pilot license. I am currently working in Erie PA as a IT engineer. I am 27 and always wanted to be a pilot.
I would like to talk to you and ask you some questions about changing my career. Can you please give me your email address or Phone number, so i can talk to you.
You can have my email which is [email protected] or my Phone number: 571-527-8252 if you dont want to give me yours.
Please help me out..
Thanks in advance.
Naveen.