I am 42, and decided it's time to try to fly in real life.
Posted by Damolitioneed@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 35 comments
I am about 1000 hours in flight simulator 2020 and now 2024 and it's now developing a new itch. I really want to fly, and I have no children and a solid income in my current career as an Ops Manager. In the new year I am doing an introduction flight with the local flight school. I am really excited at the prospect and I'm sure it costs a lot of money and hours to get to CPL and above.
Just wanting to know, has anyone else got into an aviation career starting from scratch in their 40s or older?
It might end up being just for leasure, but I would love to fly a real A320 before I die.
thrways18@reddit
Do it! Started at 34. Med deferral be damned haha, 35 and still with it. Just waiting on the FAA to get back to me so I can really go for it. You can totally do this!!!
BoxweilersRule@reddit
I learned to fly at 42. For personal reasons and use. Bought a ‘79 C172 and eventually an ‘05 DA40. Had a blast for 17 years. Then it stopped being fun enough to justify all the work and money, so I sold the airplane and hangar for a nifty profit. No regrets at all.
ValeoRex@reddit
I started at 42, professional pilot now flying everyday.
Costs- PPL - ~$15k, 4 months, 55 hrs IFR - ~$15k, 3-4 months, 120 hrs (I think) CPL - ~$??, 2 months, 250 hrs. I had access to a plane and fuel so I only paid for instructor time and test.
It’s doable, just have to commit. If you are like me, you will quickly realize you don’t learn things as fast as you did in your 20s. Understand that and you’ll be fine. Where younger students are probably going to have to study harder for the writtens and oral, you’re going to probably have to spend some extra time chair flying and practicing that physical flying part.
JohnBlair1@reddit
Congrats on the career change? Do you mind me asking what type of professional flying you do?
ValeoRex@reddit
Corporate
bakehaus@reddit
I’m 39 at the beginning of a career change and I’ve seriously toyed with just going for it…
I’m just terrified I’m going to get out of school with tons of debt and competing with 24 year olds for jobs.
ILS_Pilot@reddit
The best time to start was yesterday, 2nd best is now. If you want it bad enough, you will go for it.
Competing with younger pilots is not that much of a concern. Why? Here is something to think about: I watched this video from the ProPilotPodcast guys who had a 60 something late career switcher who was just hired for his first jet job at a regional. He asked the hiring people if his age would be a problem. Can you guess their reply? They said not an issue at all, because many pilots leave for the major airlines within a few years anyway at these regional airlines.
Hdflyer1926@reddit
I’ve been a commercial pilot since 1980. Honestly at your age the chances of you flying a jetliner are slim at best, given the time it takes to build enough flight time to be considered for an airline. Also if Your health diminishes and you can’t pass a flight Physical your career is over. Best bet is to take the discovery flight and see if you really want to learn to fly or just scratched the itch
ILS_Pilot@reddit
This comment feels...wrong? He's 42, retirement age is 65 in the US. Even if he took a slow 3 years to get all ratings, 2 years to build hours to 1500, he'll be age 47. Health aside, that's still 18 years away from retiring at 65 to fly jets at the airlines.
StevieWonderUberRide@reddit
Started at 35. School and good study habits were long in my rear view mirror. Everyone is going to look very young. But there’s still many like us in the elder millennial age bracket starting out right now.
Buy The PHAK.
That’s a great introduction to the main information you’ll need for your time as a student pilot. My school offered Jeppsson (Boeing) books. The info from the PHAK was almost 1:1.
Damolitioneed@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
irishluck949@reddit
The Phak available for free digitally, if you are so inclined
vinodhmoodley@reddit
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-25c.pdf
AlexisFR@reddit
Is there a EASA equivalent ?
vinodhmoodley@reddit
I have no idea. I only found out about this book when I saw this thread.
I’m from South Africa and we are regulated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority. This book isn’t 100% applicable but it’s close enough for most things.
Mapey@reddit
Where?
irishluck949@reddit
the horses mouth
GuessEmergency8211@reddit
Same here. I started at 36 two years ago, working as a CFI to build hours now.
Cool-Importance6004@reddit
Amazon Price History:
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (Federal Aviation Administration): FAA-H-8083-25B
Source: GOSH Price Tracker
^(Bleep bleep boop. I am a bot here to serve by providing helpful price history data on products. I am not affiliated with Amazon. Upvote if this was helpful. PM to report issues or to opt-out.)
MarsRoverP@reddit
Good bot
grumpyoldgoat2211@reddit
Do it. Just be aware of a few things ( retired CFII/ME here). The sensory part takes a bit of getting used to. I used to tell my students you fly an airplane with your ass. It tells you what the airplane is doing. Same with the engine(s). You get to know the feel along with the vibrations. This arms your 'little voice' that it might be hitting the fan...
I see a place for rlight sim, at least for procedures.
Go fly. Leave your mind open and experience all of the wonders out there. The sights, getting lost and figuring your way out, the terror and exileration of that first solo. Go do it.
Would I do it again if I could? Hell yes. Would I think twice about it? Hell no.
Fly low, fly fast and turn left!
Damolitioneed@reddit (OP)
Great advice thank you.
BrtFrkwr@reddit
Expect nothing from this industry and you won't be disappointed.
InitiativePale859@reddit
I hear from now; I lost my job because I fly all the time but I got my private pilot's license after 300 hours I didn't realize how addictive flying and it is my goal to fly an a320 is still there only I think I might be a little old and have to hijack one to get some left seat time
W33b3l@reddit
I'm 44 now and always wanted to do it. Privately not professionally though. Knowing how to use the controls and read the dash really helps, although flying for real is a different world. I've done it before but couldn't actually afford the classes.
Read pilot handbooks as a child and tought myself to the point that when I was finally given the controls I did fine without instruction so there's something to say about sims I guess. Been simming for 30 years. Landing on the other hand.. Sims can't teach you enough to do that IRL without IRL experience.
Go for it if it's something you love and actually have the opportunity. Small part of my is still hoping I can male it happen some day. Don't let life pass you by ;)
FinalAccount10@reddit
Everyone deserves a chance to fly
N878AC@reddit
I was sixty and retired when I began flight training. It took about six months to get my SEL private pilot rating , partly because I was re-hired and was putting in 50-hour weeks. I’ve since earned my IFR, commercial, taildragger, aerobatics, and glider ratings. I’m a part owner of a Cirrus SR22 with three other pilots. You can do it too!
Ok-Chance-5739@reddit
I started flying in my 40s and got my license with 44 years. (PPL) 2 years later I bought my own aircraft. (Piston, single engine) It's a very rewarding learning curve and hobby.
700ish hours later (exactly 10years later) I still smile, just when I think about my flying adventures. Later today I will head out to the Airfield again.
I would say go for it, but take one step at a time. Do the trial flight, talk with pilots, etc. If you like it in real life - it's different from a simulator - go to flight school, obtain your PPL. Fly, fly fly, but never with stress, gain experience, go for endorsements, maybe upgrade your skills towards ME, IFR, etc. BUT only by that time I would make the decision to switch it into a professional / commercial endeavour.
Why I am saying that? Well, along your journey you will see that aviation is on one hand quite glorified and on the other has plenty caveats, for instance weather can be quite a horrendous experience.
10 years ago I would have said, yeah, let's go for it, let's do it professionally - today I am happy that it is a marvellous hobby for me.
Damolitioneed@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advice. I'm in New Zealand so wind and weather is definitely hectic.
Butchishere@reddit
Gidday fella. Bear in mind that a lot of the advice you see on here will most likely be US focused as that’s where most participants here seem to be from. People can and do start in their 40s in NZ and the mandatory retirement at 65 doesn’t apply for NZ domestic operations. The road into a Dash-8 or ATR is shorter now than it has been in the past, but these days to progress from there into the jet operation with AirNZ is more a case of take a number and wait in line. Depending on where you are, you may need to be prepared to move around the country to speed your progression. GA is expensive here, I think more people are turning to microlights for recreational flying these days so that could be worth looking into if you end up pursuing flying as a hobby more than a career. Good luck man, make them tell you no. 👍
Ok-Chance-5739@reddit
Welcome, wow, have seen videos about flying there. Stick and rudder skills must be spot on then... Wishing blue skies.
IThinkRightLeft@reddit
DO IT! Late bloomer myself, got my PPL at 50 - 42 is so young :)
ThisZucchini1562@reddit
I think you can do it, I mean some of these doogie howser types go zero to hero and have a mainline gig in under 8 years graduating from high school. So I think you might be able to pull it off and still fly 15 plus years before your retire…
Ouchies81@reddit
It's possible. You won't be the youngest in the class either if that helps.
I'd aim for leisure flying. But full commercial is well within capabilities. Just keep your eye on retirement age in the aviation field- it's quick, it's harsh, and non-negotiable. Your health is going to catch up with you in a way you won't see as an Ops Manager.
snailmale7@reddit
Wishing you the VERY BEST on this new adventure. Flying is the MOST amount of fun you can have without breaking the law :)