Is it too late to become a commercial pilot at 38?
Posted by farva_06@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 59 comments
Hello fellow aviators and aviation enthusiasts!
Title pretty much sums it up. I'm currently a system administrator for a medical facility. I have been in IT for almost 15 years now, and needless to say, I'm getting pretty burnt out in it. I love technology, and messing around with computers in general, but I'd like to move away from it as a career.
I've always dreamt of being a pilot, but bad/stupid life decisions prevented me from doing so. I feel I've moved past that type of crap in my life, and like to know if it's even a possible to consider a career as a pilot at this stage in my life? I mean, I'll probably be well in to my 40s by the time I actually got a commercial license. I understand there would be many hurdles in this endeavor, mostly financial and actually finding a job if I make it that far, but I'm willing to put in the work if it's a realistic goal.
randompilot1488@reddit
I started at 38 and am now at a legacy. Zero regret.
prettywheaty@reddit
This is really encouraging. I’ll turn 38 this year. Can you share the path you took generally and roughly what it cost you? (Side note: I I work part-time in another career and have three little kids. Wife works full-time.)
Commercial_Meat_8522@reddit
Are you prepared to spend a lot of time and money for the next 5-10 years without making any money?
Go_Loud762@reddit
You are 38. Plus 4 years (conservatively) to get all of your ratings. Then you need a couple to many years to build hours to be competitive. And there is no guarantee you will ever be hired by an airline. Is that risk worth it to you?
It took me six years after getting my PPL to get a CFI job, and then another eight years of commuters to get to a major airline. My experience may not be the same as yours, but are you willing to chance it?
psillyhobby@reddit
Your experience was pretty awful, NGL
Go_Loud762@reddit
That was normal back in the mid '90s.
pwsmoketrail@reddit
And 00's
HungryCommittee3547@reddit
6 years at a school seems like an awful long time. The career switchers at my local school usually are ready for their class slot in 2.5 years (all hours and certs completed). Of course it depends on how well you present yourself. But if you're dedicated you can get to CFI in maybe a year and a little, and another 1.5 to get your hours, and class slot.
Of course if you're trying to do school while holding down a full time job the story is different. I got my license and IR and it took me exactly two years from discovery to IR. But then I was flying maybe 2-3x a week max.
Go_Loud762@reddit
I got my private in high school then got the other certs and ratings in college, so it wasn't as bad/slow as it seems, but it wasn't even close to the recent hiring frenzy. My path was slower than it could have been, but it might compare with today's hiring environment.
Hawaiiankinetings@reddit
I started flt training at 36 after my first child was born. 38 now grinding it out as a CFI. Paid all out of pocket now have second child. Did all my training while working full time as a flight attendant and lecturing at a University. I am gonna get to an airline not sure when but eventually my hard work will pay off—it’s never too late!
J3Wjensen@reddit
Love to hear that! Comment back here once your in the airline, id love to hear your story
RobThree03@reddit
I am a captain at a major airline. I took my first flight lesson at 32, got my first airline pilot job at 37 made it to my major at 47. My career track was upended by both 9/11 and the housing bubble in 2005. It is a much better time to start right now than when I did. Im flying with people who started less than 5 years ago.
It’s not easy, and it’s not cheap, but it is not too late.
Slammedtgs@reddit
I had an instructor in the club I was at doing a career change in his mid 30s and it worked out well for him. He bought a plane to train in and picked up hours with instrument instruction.
I’ve considered a similar route as you a few years ago, would have been a bit older but decided to double down on my current career.
TheBerric@reddit
im also interested. Is there a way to get lessons financed through a company and work for them? or do you have to self-finance the whole process?
Zestyclose_Way_6607@reddit
my roommate was on the taxiway and i was in my underwear watching tv getting ready to go to the airport for my flight at one of the largest flight schools in the US the morning of 9/11/01, i'm in finance now
i'm still sick at flying just mostly used to impress teammates in video games now
New_Line4049@reddit
Have a look at Just Plane Silly on YouTube, hes just recently done it and hes much older (dont tell him I said that)
Neither_Extension895@reddit
If you want to be a CFI for the rest of your life, maybe to some sign seeing work, sure. If you want to go into jets, even cargo, it's a seniority based industry and you're going to have to eat a lot of shit - take the base they tell you to, work the hours they tell you to. That's the case even during the good times.
It's fine for a 25 year old, but do you want to spend your 40s like that?
fortinbrass1993@reddit
I’m in my 30s as well. About to have my first lesson this Saturday. Let’s go! u/farva_06 we can’t make it out of this life alive anyway.
Icy_Huckleberry_8049@reddit
asked and answered hundreds of times already - you're only too old when you're in the ground
go back and read previous posts or use the search function.
It's been asked and answered hundreds of times
Friendlybroseidon@reddit
Im 65 and want to become a commercial pilot, is it too late?
Icy_Huckleberry_8049@reddit
nope, you can still fly commercially, just not for 121
Lots of other jobs out there other than 121
Friendlybroseidon@reddit
You just said I'm only too old when im in the ground. So which is it?
Icy_Huckleberry_8049@reddit
what part of my reply do you NOT understand?
Cultural_Physics_935@reddit
No, that’s when I started. Flying floats full time now
CaptainsPrerogative@reddit
No
deevil_knievel@reddit
Mom's husband just got his commercial in his 60s. He couldn't get a job, he kinda did it as a life accomplishment type of thing, but he was still getting calls. He has however gotten some smaller jobs fly this here, fly that there, go pick these people up type of things on somebody's private plane. I think you'd be fine in your 40s to get a gig at a commercial airliner.
slpater@reddit
Get a medical.
Understand it'll cost you probably 70k. And then you'll be making 20-30k for 2 years.
THEN you're eligible for an airline job/ charter job. The market may change where in a year of instructing or something else you can find a decent charter gig.
Its not a super hard thing to do. If you can make it as a private pilot and know how to study it all just becomes how much can you retain. The financial barrier is the toughest one.
Otherwise-Adagio4201@reddit
Yes…just buy bitcoin.
Commercial_Meat_8522@reddit
Do you have a lot of money saved to get the licenses and support yourself ?
MotiveEurope@reddit
No
SweetMustache@reddit
I'm 36, about to finish commercial. I'm working full time while I do this so it's been a 4 year grind to get to this point, but I'm glad every day that I'm doing it. The hardest parts are still ahead though, and I'm bracing myself for the 50% pay cut I'm going to have when I start instructing. It's not easy in these streets. I've spent over 80k so far and I'm not out of the woods. Good luck to you if you choose to pursue this. 4/5 of student pilots don't ever get their license so hold on to your current job stability until you find out if you can cut it.
Kerberos42@reddit
I’ve taken the initial steps at 50, passed class 1 medical, started PPL. It was my dream to fly since I was a kid, and life and world events got in the way of that. After talking with several commercial pilots I was encouraged by the fact that it could still be a viable career for the next 10+ years. I have no expectations of being a long haul captain, I’d be happy flying cargo or medivac or anything else local. One of the CFIs I’ve gotten to know is also the training captain for a corporate jet charter company, so I’m hoping that could be where I end up.
Rafikis_Ass@reddit
Get a first class medical to make sure there are not any gotchas that are going to come up later. It’s the cheapest thing you can do for yourself and the first gatekeeper in the process.
Pass that, then go ham. I just flew with a captain who’s 37 year old kid finished zero to hero (student-CFII) in a year and is instructing.
You’ll be an interesting person to fly with coming from a different background than most, conversationally. I’ve flown with guys that got their certs at 60 years old so they could fly with their kids as their fo. Different strokes and for the few I flew like that, they saved and this was a retirement deal for them until age 65.
theLilSaus@reddit
Do not get a class 1 without already understanding what is going on. Could, like myself, get you banned from soloing… shoulda just stuck with a recreational
hal_carvig@reddit
This is the best advice. Almost anyone can learn to fly. But it is expensive and there are some physical issues that can be showstoppers. Not only get a Class 1 physical, but insist on an EKG as well. Right now you don’t NEED one, but once you turn 40 you will and the time to find out there is a problem is BEFORE you spend $100k+ on training.
Also, talk to quite a few relatively young airline pilots about there paths. And don’t fall for online reviews on the internet. All fight schools are NOT the same. Some of the “puppy mill” schools are shady at best. I attended the most shady one of all, the U.S. Air Force so I’m really not one to talk. 🤣
FighterFly3@reddit
I hope my comment doesn’t end up deflating you in the end. But I’m 28 and have the exact same dream. What would you tell me at age 28 if I asked you the same question? I’m almost 4 years into my career and my earnings don’t warrant enough to let me do flight training and sustain a living at the same time. But I can still say I’m comfortable. Would you take the plunge if you were me?
matomo23@reddit
It’s not just about earnings mate.
FighterFly3@reddit
My comment has nothing to do with earrings post ATP. I mean earnings now while gearing up for flight training while also trying to set up the building blocks for a good life (saving, investing, dating, etc). I think this is especially important now with how shaky financial times are these days. I’m seeing people of all ages get laid off from any type of job and not be able to find another for any span of months and multiple years, whether with qualifications or not. It’s a concern I’m not stupid enough to just set aside for a deep rooted passion.
BathFullOfDucks@reddit
I mean, where do you want to go? Side hustle and a nice days flying at someone elses expense? Cool. Going to cost some, but doable. You arent going to make a living on it.
Flying an a380 to exotic locales? Between here and there you will have a lot of 3am starts, long days and time away from the family and frankly, a lot of money.
A lot. Of money.
And even then if it'd a choice between you and a 25 year old with the some or greater experience, theyre going to hire thr young one.
Are you too old? Nope. But it is going to be very tough on you and your family.
I will always advise folks to go for it, but if this is a brief infatuation at a rough time in the office, you are only going to find out you are not down for this when you are tens of thousands of bucks in.
Ok-Pomegranate8977@reddit
Where can you fly an A380 for a lot of money?
This guy has no idea what he’s talking about
brighteffluence@reddit
Read it again. They are saying that it will cost a lot of money on the journey to becoming a pilot of an A380.
DatabaseGangsta@reddit
I took my first lesson last year at 41. Now I’m 42 & a CFI. If you want it, then go make it happen
Moose-bay@reddit
I am an Instructor with an East coast based airline. We regularly get new hires that are career changers. Go for it.
901CountryBlumpkin69@reddit
My brother is a commercial pilot for a major carrier, and he had a new guy in his hiring class that was in his early 50’s. Spent his entire career as a professional in another field, and spent a couple years chasing his private-to-ATP path after quitting whatever office gig he used to have. It’s doable and achievable if you have the support. I’ve thought about doing the same in a few years once my kids are out of school.
hercdriver4665@reddit
Absolutely not to late at all. You have enough time for a 20+yr career as an airline pilot.
You’ve got to go after it like a homing missile though. Getting trained and hired is your only mission.
vurriooo@reddit
Do it.
JT-Av8or@reddit
I had a 52 year old student pilot who was a retired doctor. A year and a half later, he got a job with a regional airline. It’s possible.
Aviator91990@reddit
I’m 35. About to take my instrument checkride. Sure hope it’s not too late otherwise I don’t know what I’m losing this sleep over…
th3orist@reddit
You need to want to put in the work even with it not being a realistic goal, that is usually how it has to work from a mindset perspective. If you first need the mental safetynet then it might not be the best idea. Just my pov on it.
tomcis147@reddit
It is never too late. My friend took his first flying lesson when he was 40, now flying as FO on A320
Drunkm0nk1@reddit
It's never too late but... When I thought about it, I was a bit too old to join the army for flying classes that were "free". I had a kid, nice condo = expenses!
It takes time to make money. You need hours to move up to bigger machines where it pays well.
Also, here in Quebec (Canada) The only jobs for young pilots were sight seeing tours,(helicopter) Outfitters(seasonal). Most pilot jobs were also remote in the North where you would leave 1-3 weeks for work, come back for 1-2 then back out.Not ideal for a new family but totally possible.
You work in IT and already burnt out? Switch to consulting, work 6-8 months a year and spend time on a flight sim at home.
If you have a dream, don't let an Internet stranger change your mind! You have one life and many things to learn and do. I'm 46 and I still think about going to flight school because why not? Cheers dude
Typical-Zebra8920@reddit
I would suggest you also consider aptitude, the big two being coordination and personality type, an ability to pick things up quickly also is very useful as you don’t get much time on a conversion course.
I saw people when I was learning who had the money and would get a licence eventually but were ill suited to flying, the problem is that you can just keep throwing money at it until you pass, although if you have to do that you are probably going to struggle.
In the UK and Europe I would suggest applying for a sponsored course, just to do the tests, if you don’t get through the early stages then that could be a warning sign.
Flying colleges will only be too happy to take your money so getting a realistic assessment of your abilities is important.
BlueTeamMember@reddit
Boeing won't have new planes for a decade you have time to learn.
wallpaper_01@reddit
I’m in the exact same position. Worked in IT the same time and 39. A couple of years ago I had a child and that really put a spanner in the works. So now I can’t do anything for 2 more years due to childcare costs. Considering the cost, I think it’s probably not worth it. I think it will take me close to a decade and then after that low paying job away from family while I get to a senior position.
So… My plan is PPL, build up my skills as far as I want to go. Ideally, I’d like to be able to get to an instructor level and then could do a bit of that on the side during retirement. But flying for fun is the goal.
As far as work goes, I would try looking for another job, that really helped me. I have ended up in pre-sales and it’s really taken a lot of the stress away.
Certain-Forever-1474@reddit
It’s definitely not too late, it just depends where you see yourself going once you’re qualified. If you’re thinking airlines, it’s probably too late cause you need ship load of hours to get into the right seat-even. Those hours usually accumulate over several years of working somewhere else first. If you want to try say, charter flying or something below airlines- definitely doable. There are lots of different career paths in commercial aviation; do your research and have a goal. Go for it!
Not____007@reddit
Prob not too late but remember they hv an age limit at 65.
Im sure you can fly afterwards privately or cargo.
trapercreek@reddit
Go do a bunch of power on/power off stall recoveries w a CFI, realistically assess your bank account & then make your decision.
Ok-Skill8583@reddit
Go get your medical.
Figure out what your tolerance is for flying for 3-6 hours per week initially and studying for twice that.
Figure out if you can afford the licenses (pay as you go, avoid zero to hero programs). Plan to drop $60-$100k.
Then figure out what your tolerance is to be an instructor for several years to build time.
Important-Routine255@reddit
Why not?