Flying Options for old dudes

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JeffreyDollarz@reddit

You can technically do that as a ppl.

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I feel like instructing would be the best answer especially if independent as you can set your own schedule. The best instructors I’ve had were the older dudes with just a passion for flying. I’m a career electrical engineer working on my IR right now and my plan is to work up through MEI over the next few years and find a gig that lets me teach a few multi lessons per week after my day job. Good luck man!

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Altruistic-Ideal-277@reddit (OP)

Roger. That is the advice my CFi gave me. He thought be older helps.

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unisonic2025@reddit

Whoever said being older helps is misleading. Like most industries age has nothing to do with it. What matters is experience.

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Altruistic-Ideal-277@reddit (OP)

I think he meant that for older folks getting ppl an older cfi might be more attractive then like a young 25 year old cfi. It was just an opnion.

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unisonic2025@reddit

I still would want a cfi that has been teaching since 18 who is 25 than a 55 year old brand new cfi who just got his instructor rating yesterday. Again case in point experience not age matters more.

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TxAggieMike@reddit

CFI.

And once you meet the qualifications and then some, DPE

Neither have upper age limit.

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TxAggieMike@reddit

Finally someone else that was here during the Johnson administration

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Teanut@reddit

Don't Part 135 ops have looser age limits? Could always look into that, too.

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unisonic2025@reddit

Nope as long as you can hold a medical you’re good to go.

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3417-@reddit

Fly after 65 as a commercial pilot doing ag work. It’s a very small community and soon to be taken over by drones. Need significant tailwheel expertise. Easier is banner flying. Good luck!

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MrPetter@reddit

Drones aren’t taking over in any bit of a hurry in the Ag industry. They do a terrible job of application and are abysmally slow and unproductive. None of the farmers in my area will let a drone near their field because of how poor their application has been. I also can’t insure a pilot with less than 1500 hours anymore, so the industry is becoming more and more competitive for “pilots” to get into.

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tomdarch@reddit

I imagined that only "I'm invulnerable!" 20 somethings would ever start AG flying. Do older folks really start in it?

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Designer_Solid4271@reddit

I'm 57 and looking at the CFI for a retirement job...

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MrPetter@reddit

While there is an age limit to pt 121 operations there isn’t one for pt 135. There are plenty of opportunities out there depending on what your desire is.

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3417-@reddit

Insurance is normally the limiting issue.

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MrPetter@reddit

Insurance is the limiting issue with practically everything in aviation. Still, we have pilots in their 70’s. At some point it’s not about an insurance denial, it’s about whether the company is willing to pay the added premiums.

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skidsup@reddit

All kind of small operators would love to have someone that they could contract or hire on a part-time, as-needed basis who isn't in a rush to go to the airlines. The hard part, potentially, is finding one that's local to you. If you're already financially secure in retirement, and don't need to chase the dollar or benefits, there's a lot of fun stuff that could be available to you.

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Altruistic-Ideal-277@reddit (OP)

Thank you much. School i am had does charters in Cirrus SR 22. Looks like that might be a good fit.

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Few_Intention_542@reddit

I do not have advice/answers but I hope it works out for you. I know how much I want this dream of becoming a commercial pilot, so I can understand your wish of making money while keeping busy doing something you love. Good luck stranger, keep pushing, I know I will!

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ltcterry@reddit

I did glider Commercial at 52 and instructor the following year. At 60 I added on the multi-engine counterparts. Then single.

It took me 30+ years to hit 1,000 hours, then maybe four years for the next 1,500.

It can/will be what you make of it. There is a huge surplus of new pilots with dreams of Big Shiny Jets in their eyes. You’ll be on a different path.

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Dry-Horror-4188@reddit

If you have a love of aviation I would suggest becoming a CFI. I think CFI's that are older, have more life experience, can offer more insight in training. I too am on the upper side of the age scale (61), but use my plane for my work. I would happily reach out to an instructor that is in my age range for the comfort reasons, plus I have so many more hours and experience, than most young instructors that I find I don't enjoy flying with them.

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_-Cleon-_@reddit

A guy at my flight school just got hired on at SkyWest a few months ago at the age of 61.

There's still time.

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draakken35@reddit

Pets and pilots, angel flight, young eagles. Won't make any money doing that, but that's a bit of what I think of for retirement. What can I do that I will enjoy and it doesn't have to pay enough to cover the house payment.

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Altruistic-Ideal-277@reddit (OP)

Exactly. Thank you much.

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Reputation_Many@reddit

1500 hours and commercial multi instrument, and 25 multi you’d be hirable until 64.5 years old. (Have to be able to finish class before forced retirement) according to my friend who was an envoy recruiter. They cannot discriminate based on age.

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Rich-Cut-8052@reddit

Get your instrument and commercial and see what develops. When there was a real shortage of pilots I had one friend that was offered a right seat at SkyWest when he was 62. I feel like most of the older guys that want to just enjoy it and make a little side money get a CFI and do some instructing.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Pretty sure my ship has sailed but I am 58 YO and just completed my ppl and planning to get instrument rating next. Curious what opportunities ( if any) might exist once I get some hours built-up. I'm retired and just looking for something to keep the gears turning, make a little money and get me out of the house.

Thanks in advance.

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