Is it too late to become a commercial pilot at 38?
Posted by farva_06@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 22 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.
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.
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.
randompilot1488@reddit
I started at 38 and am now at a legacy. Zero regret.
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!
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.
tomcis147@reddit
It is never too late. My friend took his first flying lesson when he was 40, now flying as FO on A320
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?
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?