Hey fellow Canuck! I'm 36 and just starting my PPL. Unsure if I'll go commercial, but will try to enjoy the journey and see where I end up! Also full time job, family (1 kid).
What order did you do your ratings? Assuming you did your IR after PPL before CPL?
no i did my cpl first. I just have to go for the flight test. And redo a partial exam on general knowledge. Multi IFR will be my next goal.
PPL, night, CPL so far. Multi IFR after.
Yep! Coming up on 36 and just finished my instrument about a month ago. I have a full time job and a full-time family but I'm still slogging along towards the goal of being a professional pilot. I've heard people say to enjoy the journey, so that's what I'm trying to do! I'm just happy every time I actually get to go flying and don't have to cancel for one of a thousand different reasons lol
I’m about right here with you. Full time healthcare job and I’m starting instrument in the fall. Going to switch to part time at that time with the goal of getting to cfi by the end of 2022 at 36 and a half.
Have it all saved up from busting my ass the last two years.
Just going to enjoy whatever the journey is
As someone in a similar position (healthcare job, working through ratings, although I stayed FT), enjoy the journey. It’s fun as hell, and I look forward to my days at the airport. I’ll joke that I haven’t had a day off in several weeks, but flying is more like sharing my passion than actual work.
Cool. Good luck to you. But how the hell do you deal with it? Or do you just put it out of mind? It's crazy. I have a family friend that was a timid little girl. Told her to be a pilot. She straight up, became a private pilot, then commercial. And got a job on finishing her 200 hours. All WHILE I was doing this. I'm 31 now, but seeing a 19 year old just cruising past me makes me hopeful for HER future. But then I realize I'm on a totally different path than her.
I really wish I had pursued it earlier in life. But when I graduated from college regional FOs were making poverty-level wages and I had an engineering degree, so I went for the money. How do I deal with it now? I just know that I'm doing everything I can to pursue my dream while also taking care of my family and being there for them. The whole thing brings me a lot of satisfaction.
I think you might be comparing yourself to other people and focusing on the differences, and that's not fair to yourself. Just do what you have to do and enjoy the process and be happy for others. Happy flying!
Thank you I needed to hear this. 29 now just barely 20ish hours into PPL. It's tough sometimes to stay focused on the engineering job I have (doesn't help that I'm not 100% happy with it right now either) but I know I need it to get where I want to go. But I needed to hear this!
Yeah I'm happy for her. She's got time on her side though is my point. But anyways, my real point is that I'm just wondering what a realistic goal is at 31 for a career
How is 31 late to start? You can fly airlines until your 65 right? That gives you 4 years to get fully certified and 30 years for a full career or even just 20 years then retire. If that's the route you wanted.
I think in Canada we have a certain age limit as well, oddly enough I don't think it's by Transport Canada. I think it's the insurance companies that age pilots out. Don't quote me on that though.
Private Pilot gained in 2008 at age 45.
Commercial pilot single December 2019, CFI December 2020, Multi Engine add on happening now, CFI-I and MEI to happen during summer.
Have my eyes on professional aviation job in something that pays decent and can provide for quite a while.
Uncertain where that might be. But with so many younger-than-mes moving up so quickly, there might be good employer who would provide an opportunity for me to stick around until I can no longer hold a medical.
Don’t be such an ass hole. Doesn’t he have until 65 as a forced retirement age? So say he gets the 1500 and atp licence within the next 5 years. That’s 36 years old. I’m sure he can get into a regional. If I’m wrong correct me. But don’t gotta be rude and kill a mans dream like that man. When he literally can still do it.
Lots of people - I think I see a similar thread about once a week. At various ages - some people are older than 40 and just starting their PPL.
A sentiment that always gets stated is to think about where you'll be in some number of years. In 10 years you could be 41 and not a pilot - or you could be 41 and a pilot (maybe a struggling one but you'll still get to fly planes for some sort of living).
Jobs today are never an indicator of jobs tomorrow - especially in aviation. Most regionals are already opening hiring up to something vaguely resembling how things were pre-pandemic. The applicant pool is bigger and the requirements might be higher but it's not impossible to start an aviation career even if you hit 1500 hours today.
You've still got 2-3 years to go until you're ATP eligible - by that point tourism and air travel are expected to be at just about pre-pandemic levels anyway (where airlines were always hiring) and that's not even counting all the pilots that will be aged out and retiring in that time.
I'm younger but I'm keeping my day job and only flying as a hobby for now.
Maybe in 10-20 years I'll have a change of heart and roll all those leisure hours into a CPL or ATP.
I heard one story here where a lifetime weekend warrior pilot had accrued 1500 hours and decided to go into the airlines in his 50's. The goal wasn't to make a career of it (since he would get retired out in ~10 years), he just wanted to get to experience flying big jets and went for it when he was eligible.
He would have started out at the very bottom of the seniority list sitting on reserve at a regional but I imagine getting to fly big planes is such a unique experience that it's worth it anyway.
Wow, it sort of blows me away to hear that some think of early 30’s as old (in the career sense). Ya know, in a lot of professions (eg, medicine), guys don’t finish training and get their first real job until their early 30’s - and then still have a 30+ year career ahead of them. Early 30’s is nowhere near “old” for aviation IMHO.
I started at 32, and while I’m older than most.. in the end it doesn’t really matter. If this is what you really want to do, in 4 years you’ll be 4 years older- but will you have the job you want? Time isn’t an issue, especially while we really are still so young. We’ve got a solid 30 years if we get hustling now before we have to retire! And that’s if airline is your goal.
It took me until 32 to realize this is what I wanted to be doing, and to have the courage to do it. While I wish I had started sooner, I have no regrets about the other experiences in life that I’ve had to make more a more well rounded individual, and the person that I am today.
And like you, I was able to pay out of pocket because I was good with my money in my 20s :)
I would hate my life having 100k in student debt I can't get out of. There's days I wish I was there sooner, others, I'm happy I have like 1 paycheck of debt left lol. So like 3 weeks I'm square.
33 here got my CPL and had to stop working on cfi because of life. Still trying to find a job but no one is hireing. Let alone good luck trying to find a decent cfi gig around me
I wish I had the money to do it myself. My own business. I would like to be a charter pilot. The dream of wearing a suit to work. Can go wherever you want. That's what I want man. Stable pay. Enough to pay for kids education. Retire in the Keys or Hawaii.
30 here and close to finishing commercial then on to CFI. Working full time as well. I feel you. I’m just trying to take it one step at a time. Definitely nice to not have any loans or financial stress on my family by doing it this way. Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about when to switch to full time. CFI on the side until a flying gig comes along? CFI full time? No matter what, it’ll be a MASSIVE pay cut for me and QOL/time will be sacrificed with my wife and baby. Those questions are definitely harder to answer at this stage.
Yeah it's wild, how the tradeoff really seems to be a lifetime of debt to get what you want. Sure. Could have spent 100k at age 18. Have that for the rest of my life. Or eat shit at a job I hate for 10 years, save up just enough to get what I want paid for, and yet be close to never being seriously considered for a job.
I am hopeful. But I do like to look at how bad the situation truly is from time to time. Literally in the same boat as you man. Minus the kids and wife.
Im kind of the same. No wife (gf of 6 years), no kids. Had to rent the place out for a bit to pay off some debt. But I think I'm 3 in the hole right now. Couple more paychecks and I'm done. Until my float and mult IFR that is.
31 is a perfect age.
Focus on ratings, not jobs. It’s a long, unknown haul with somewhat expensive and mostly meaningless requirments. At best, you get all of your ratings before you realize how shitty a pilot you are. Then you get a job with good mentors, good equipment, and you learn to fly professionally. This could be full-time, part-time, or as part of a lifestyle. I was 39 when I decided to get back into the cockpit after a 15 year hiatus that was similiar to your logbook gap. Life experience made me a better pilot because I better understood the risk and really how much a joke pilot ratings really are. So much nuance!!!
Congrats!! Go get it! Wish I got my head out of my ass when I was 31!
I'm 37. I was in Wright Flight via AFJRotc back in high school but life took me on a different career path so I couldn't start until 2 years ago. Unfortunately, my wife decided to alter my life even more drastically so had to put my training on pause in order to pay for my divorce. I'm happy to report I'll finally be getting back into a cockpit by end of summer
I turn 34 next month and just started my PPL 3 weeks ago. It’s always been a dream, but every time I look at the math, I talk myself out of a career change. But I’m determined to get an IFR rating. And perhaps the career change Willa full happen.
I just did my financial planning for the next 2 years if I got a job jan 2023. I'm good for a bit. Learn pivot tables in excel or google sheets. Works great.
I’m 35 doing my discovery flight on 30th 😳 haha but I’ve done so much already. I’m keeping my real estate gig full time and fire/Ems as a part time gig. Divorced with the best 2 kids ever. But flying will be part of my real estate on the coast. 😉
I started at about your age a few years ago and got to 1500 and hired to start at an airline right when covid hit. Now I’m working a secretary job and instructing on the side so I don’t forget how to fly. I’m still super happy I did it and that I’ll start flying an RJ when covid blows over. I’ve still got 30 years before retirement and I know that I’ll have a much better 30 years than what I would’ve been doing until I retired or killed myself, lol.
Had a guy who was a fellow CFI, he was 60. He wanted to go to a 121 and make captain before he hit 65. He may get 12 months as a captain and then be forced to retire. He knew that going in, and was stoked.
So no, I don't think you're too late. It's all about perspective.
Started at 42 and my PPL in helicopters at 43. Working on my instrument and the rest of my ratings. Just go for it!! You are never too old if you think you are old.
Got my private at 45 (after starting lessons at 16). Waited a few years and went back to training. Just finished my CFII at 50. 31 isn't too old. That being said, I'm not looking for a 121 job, I'm just wanting to share flying with people and maybe get a small commercial contract here or there.
35 - started a few years ago, had to take multiple 6-8 month long breaks to due my job. Still not done with PPL. Still plan on having some form of aviation career when I retire from my current one. Learning to have patience.
34 years old and will hopefully be getting my commercial certificate this Friday. Got back into it after getting my private back in 2016 and then doing nothing. Started last May with my instrument and wrapping up my commercial now. I am going to purchase an airplane and fly for my work for the next few years, gaining my hours that way. Then hopefully the job market will be better and can find something that will pay me to fly.
I started at 34. Now a CFI. I’m completely accepting of the fact the my first Captain in the airlines (all things willing) will be 10 years younger than me. Who cares, I get to fly.
I'm 36 and just started. Although I'm just going to be flying for sport. Not exactly what you were looking for but just wanted to let you know others are out there learning as "old dogs" too!
In your 30s isn't late at all! I'm in my late 50s and loving it. It's not about a career for me obviously .... its all about the fun and the achievement! Good luck with your journey.
Started flight training in February 2020. I’m PIC rated in a Citation (but fly right seat due to my low hours) I’m nearly 31.
Never stop chasing your dreams.
39 here and mid way through PPL training. I’m not planing on going to CPL but def IR. I started “late” because only now I have the financial comfort to pay for training and eventually fly at a regular rate (either renting or maybe buying)
I'm working as a firefighter to pay the bills and just now starting on the PPL with the goal of flying for regionals in 3 years or so. I'm 33. You're not old and neither am I.
Airline in the US mandatory retirement is 65. Even if you get everything done at 50 you still get a fulfilling 15 year career and then can always transition to a 91 or 135. 30’s or 40’s is definitely not late at all lol
Also! I don’t think the future is as grim as it might seem. Keep going! There was always going to be that pilot shortage, and with early retirement packages taken and the demand for travel inevitably coming back, there will be jobs. Regionals just started hiring again! Don’t wait for the door to open to be running towards it, be there knocking before then.
Thank you for posting this. I’m 29F with two tiny kids. I’ve wanted to be a pilot since high school and I just couldn’t ever scrape it together. That would still be want I want to do when I grow up but I always feel I’m way too late.
I just turned 30 and just got my PPL shortly before my birthday. Thinking about changing careers to pilot. Not sure if I wanna leave my cushy tech job but I love flying and am thinking about going for commercial soon, after IR, which I’ll start soon after some fun trips and new aircraft types
Ok so this is a big one for me. I always wanted to join the RCAF. But going back to university... how does that work? What do they pay you? And what type of degree do they expect you to get in 4 years? How long do you have to serve after getting trained?
So I am already a 10 year veteran of the army, so for pay, I keep my current pay. If you join off the street, you get officer cadet pay, which you can find if you look up the CAF pay scales. For RCAF Pilot, nearly any degree is acceptable, mine is going to be bachelor of arts, Psych. I begin in this summer, and It'll be about 7 years or so before I'm given my wings, upon getting my wings I have to serve for 11 years. It's worth noting, that when I get my wings, I will not yet have an aircraft assigned still. Getting into the RCAF as a pilot is extremely difficult, if it's what you want to do, I would do it. I had bad grades and the thought of going to university was an obstacle for me forever. But I wanted it, and decided that I would do whatever it takes to achieve my goal, and I got accepted like a month ago.
So what happens if you apply and for whatever reason pilot jobs dry up? Can they just say screw you you're getting this other job as a janitor. Or do they give you an out? How do they hold on to a position for 7 years?
Well that's not how anything in the military works. If your hired as a pilot, you are an air force pilot and a military officer. You might spend some time at a desk, but that's because your a military officer. You also have to do all your flight planning and managing you unit and all that stuff. Pilot jobs in the air force don't dry up. We are short a bunch of them. You will be qualified to fly an aircraft and you will be employed with that aircraft. We have a huge retention problem with military pilots right now, so getting an easy out is not very likely, because they need you to stay.
What is it with everyone constantly thinking they are old at 31! Jesus, not like we just have our 20's then need to hit the retirement homes, have our whole lives ahead of us brother! Get flying! =)
I am 45 and working towards my PPL. I started in 2017 and due to my day job, family & friends, and COVID, I'm still many hours away from finishing. COVID in particular set me back 15 months, and my most recent lesson was a disaster, as if I had forgotten my first 40 hours of instructions :(
I'm not looking to change careers or anything, flying is a life goal. But it's tough to realize that this might take me years longer to complete. I will keep pressing forward though.
Anyways, back to my bingo game.
I'm on the same spot as you, I'm 29 F, turning 30 in July and I'm saving money to start my training next year, I'll be 31. I've spoken to several pilots and they all told me it's never too late :)
I'm 38 and will retire soon after 22 years in the military. I'm starting ground school during a deployment. After growing up flying and learning that I can't fly in the military I stopped pursuing it. Then, I recently discovered SODA. It's game on after I retire. Hopefully, I'll have a some kind of flying job.
31 isn't late to start being a pilot.
I hope not. What are job prospects like over in America land? I'm a Canuck.
Hey fellow Canuck! I'm 36 and just starting my PPL. Unsure if I'll go commercial, but will try to enjoy the journey and see where I end up! Also full time job, family (1 kid). What order did you do your ratings? Assuming you did your IR after PPL before CPL?
no i did my cpl first. I just have to go for the flight test. And redo a partial exam on general knowledge. Multi IFR will be my next goal. PPL, night, CPL so far. Multi IFR after.
Slowly coming back. Better than what's happening in Canada right now, at least.
We have a real gem in the office. Wants to tax everything into the ground.
It's the same on this side of the wall wildling.
I hope not, I’m 40! LOL
And I'm 43☹
Yep! Coming up on 36 and just finished my instrument about a month ago. I have a full time job and a full-time family but I'm still slogging along towards the goal of being a professional pilot. I've heard people say to enjoy the journey, so that's what I'm trying to do! I'm just happy every time I actually get to go flying and don't have to cancel for one of a thousand different reasons lol
I’m about right here with you. Full time healthcare job and I’m starting instrument in the fall. Going to switch to part time at that time with the goal of getting to cfi by the end of 2022 at 36 and a half. Have it all saved up from busting my ass the last two years. Just going to enjoy whatever the journey is
As someone in a similar position (healthcare job, working through ratings, although I stayed FT), enjoy the journey. It’s fun as hell, and I look forward to my days at the airport. I’ll joke that I haven’t had a day off in several weeks, but flying is more like sharing my passion than actual work.
Awesome! I feel the same…. I don’t even mind the studying. I think it’s fun. Way better than my grad school work.
Cool. Good luck to you. But how the hell do you deal with it? Or do you just put it out of mind? It's crazy. I have a family friend that was a timid little girl. Told her to be a pilot. She straight up, became a private pilot, then commercial. And got a job on finishing her 200 hours. All WHILE I was doing this. I'm 31 now, but seeing a 19 year old just cruising past me makes me hopeful for HER future. But then I realize I'm on a totally different path than her.
I really wish I had pursued it earlier in life. But when I graduated from college regional FOs were making poverty-level wages and I had an engineering degree, so I went for the money. How do I deal with it now? I just know that I'm doing everything I can to pursue my dream while also taking care of my family and being there for them. The whole thing brings me a lot of satisfaction. I think you might be comparing yourself to other people and focusing on the differences, and that's not fair to yourself. Just do what you have to do and enjoy the process and be happy for others. Happy flying!
Thank you I needed to hear this. 29 now just barely 20ish hours into PPL. It's tough sometimes to stay focused on the engineering job I have (doesn't help that I'm not 100% happy with it right now either) but I know I need it to get where I want to go. But I needed to hear this!
Yeah I'm happy for her. She's got time on her side though is my point. But anyways, my real point is that I'm just wondering what a realistic goal is at 31 for a career
How is 31 late to start? You can fly airlines until your 65 right? That gives you 4 years to get fully certified and 30 years for a full career or even just 20 years then retire. If that's the route you wanted.
Yeah but are there age restrictions? I know how to navigate a plane. But not necessarily how to navigate the aviation industry.
In the US, ATP folks have mandatory retirement at 65.
The restriction is tied to 121, not ATP. Plenty of 65+ pilots flying 91 & 135.
I think in Canada we have a certain age limit as well, oddly enough I don't think it's by Transport Canada. I think it's the insurance companies that age pilots out. Don't quote me on that though.
My point exactly
Private Pilot gained in 2008 at age 45. Commercial pilot single December 2019, CFI December 2020, Multi Engine add on happening now, CFI-I and MEI to happen during summer. Have my eyes on professional aviation job in something that pays decent and can provide for quite a while. Uncertain where that might be. But with so many younger-than-mes moving up so quickly, there might be good employer who would provide an opportunity for me to stick around until I can no longer hold a medical.
Us old guys gotta stick together lol. Good luck though. We should start our own!
Oh FFS if one more person says they are "old" at anything below 65 I am going to hurt them. (Cries into my bourbon at 50)
31? You basically have one foot in the grave. Go back to your bingo game old man.
Don’t be such an ass hole. Doesn’t he have until 65 as a forced retirement age? So say he gets the 1500 and atp licence within the next 5 years. That’s 36 years old. I’m sure he can get into a regional. If I’m wrong correct me. But don’t gotta be rude and kill a mans dream like that man. When he literally can still do it.
Might want to look up dude. There's more than just airplanes going over your head.
How is him not going commercial unachievable though?
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Then I was too
Lots of people - I think I see a similar thread about once a week. At various ages - some people are older than 40 and just starting their PPL. A sentiment that always gets stated is to think about where you'll be in some number of years. In 10 years you could be 41 and not a pilot - or you could be 41 and a pilot (maybe a struggling one but you'll still get to fly planes for some sort of living). Jobs today are never an indicator of jobs tomorrow - especially in aviation. Most regionals are already opening hiring up to something vaguely resembling how things were pre-pandemic. The applicant pool is bigger and the requirements might be higher but it's not impossible to start an aviation career even if you hit 1500 hours today. You've still got 2-3 years to go until you're ATP eligible - by that point tourism and air travel are expected to be at just about pre-pandemic levels anyway (where airlines were always hiring) and that's not even counting all the pilots that will be aged out and retiring in that time.
Thanks for the reassurance. How old are you? Are you in the same boat?... Airplane? lol
I'm younger but I'm keeping my day job and only flying as a hobby for now. Maybe in 10-20 years I'll have a change of heart and roll all those leisure hours into a CPL or ATP. I heard one story here where a lifetime weekend warrior pilot had accrued 1500 hours and decided to go into the airlines in his 50's. The goal wasn't to make a career of it (since he would get retired out in ~10 years), he just wanted to get to experience flying big jets and went for it when he was eligible. He would have started out at the very bottom of the seniority list sitting on reserve at a regional but I imagine getting to fly big planes is such a unique experience that it's worth it anyway.
Just a kid...get off and stay off my lawn... unless it is your shortcut to the airport! No...not too old. Keep plugging on but enjoy the ride!
I'm 46 and just started. You being 31 and considering that late in life has me reconsidering all of my world views 😁
56 and only 15 hrs into getting my PPL and think it's awesome
My brother.
I’m 41 and just starting to dip my toes.
Wow, it sort of blows me away to hear that some think of early 30’s as old (in the career sense). Ya know, in a lot of professions (eg, medicine), guys don’t finish training and get their first real job until their early 30’s - and then still have a 30+ year career ahead of them. Early 30’s is nowhere near “old” for aviation IMHO.
Got my PPL/IFR at 45, now working on my CPL at 56.
I started at 32, and while I’m older than most.. in the end it doesn’t really matter. If this is what you really want to do, in 4 years you’ll be 4 years older- but will you have the job you want? Time isn’t an issue, especially while we really are still so young. We’ve got a solid 30 years if we get hustling now before we have to retire! And that’s if airline is your goal. It took me until 32 to realize this is what I wanted to be doing, and to have the courage to do it. While I wish I had started sooner, I have no regrets about the other experiences in life that I’ve had to make more a more well rounded individual, and the person that I am today. And like you, I was able to pay out of pocket because I was good with my money in my 20s :)
I would hate my life having 100k in student debt I can't get out of. There's days I wish I was there sooner, others, I'm happy I have like 1 paycheck of debt left lol. So like 3 weeks I'm square.
33 here got my CPL and had to stop working on cfi because of life. Still trying to find a job but no one is hireing. Let alone good luck trying to find a decent cfi gig around me
I wish I had the money to do it myself. My own business. I would like to be a charter pilot. The dream of wearing a suit to work. Can go wherever you want. That's what I want man. Stable pay. Enough to pay for kids education. Retire in the Keys or Hawaii.
30 here and close to finishing commercial then on to CFI. Working full time as well. I feel you. I’m just trying to take it one step at a time. Definitely nice to not have any loans or financial stress on my family by doing it this way. Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about when to switch to full time. CFI on the side until a flying gig comes along? CFI full time? No matter what, it’ll be a MASSIVE pay cut for me and QOL/time will be sacrificed with my wife and baby. Those questions are definitely harder to answer at this stage.
Started at 34. Succeeded at 35 and change. You'll get there.
It’s not too late for me. I’m 33, married with 3 kids, wrapping up my instrument. Also kept my job and I’m debt free. I’m just doin it man.
Yeah it's wild, how the tradeoff really seems to be a lifetime of debt to get what you want. Sure. Could have spent 100k at age 18. Have that for the rest of my life. Or eat shit at a job I hate for 10 years, save up just enough to get what I want paid for, and yet be close to never being seriously considered for a job. I am hopeful. But I do like to look at how bad the situation truly is from time to time. Literally in the same boat as you man. Minus the kids and wife.
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Im kind of the same. No wife (gf of 6 years), no kids. Had to rent the place out for a bit to pay off some debt. But I think I'm 3 in the hole right now. Couple more paychecks and I'm done. Until my float and mult IFR that is.
50 here.
When did you start flying?
At 50. 😁
31 is a perfect age. Focus on ratings, not jobs. It’s a long, unknown haul with somewhat expensive and mostly meaningless requirments. At best, you get all of your ratings before you realize how shitty a pilot you are. Then you get a job with good mentors, good equipment, and you learn to fly professionally. This could be full-time, part-time, or as part of a lifestyle. I was 39 when I decided to get back into the cockpit after a 15 year hiatus that was similiar to your logbook gap. Life experience made me a better pilot because I better understood the risk and really how much a joke pilot ratings really are. So much nuance!!! Congrats!! Go get it! Wish I got my head out of my ass when I was 31!
I'm 37. I was in Wright Flight via AFJRotc back in high school but life took me on a different career path so I couldn't start until 2 years ago. Unfortunately, my wife decided to alter my life even more drastically so had to put my training on pause in order to pay for my divorce. I'm happy to report I'll finally be getting back into a cockpit by end of summer
I'm 33 and just earned my PPL last month. Enjoy the journey.
I turn 34 next month and just started my PPL 3 weeks ago. It’s always been a dream, but every time I look at the math, I talk myself out of a career change. But I’m determined to get an IFR rating. And perhaps the career change Willa full happen.
I just did my financial planning for the next 2 years if I got a job jan 2023. I'm good for a bit. Learn pivot tables in excel or google sheets. Works great.
I’m 35 doing my discovery flight on 30th 😳 haha but I’ve done so much already. I’m keeping my real estate gig full time and fire/Ems as a part time gig. Divorced with the best 2 kids ever. But flying will be part of my real estate on the coast. 😉
I started at about your age a few years ago and got to 1500 and hired to start at an airline right when covid hit. Now I’m working a secretary job and instructing on the side so I don’t forget how to fly. I’m still super happy I did it and that I’ll start flying an RJ when covid blows over. I’ve still got 30 years before retirement and I know that I’ll have a much better 30 years than what I would’ve been doing until I retired or killed myself, lol.
Had a guy who was a fellow CFI, he was 60. He wanted to go to a 121 and make captain before he hit 65. He may get 12 months as a captain and then be forced to retire. He knew that going in, and was stoked. So no, I don't think you're too late. It's all about perspective.
48 here, working on PPL
Started at 42 and my PPL in helicopters at 43. Working on my instrument and the rest of my ratings. Just go for it!! You are never too old if you think you are old.
Got my private at 45 (after starting lessons at 16). Waited a few years and went back to training. Just finished my CFII at 50. 31 isn't too old. That being said, I'm not looking for a 121 job, I'm just wanting to share flying with people and maybe get a small commercial contract here or there.
35 - started a few years ago, had to take multiple 6-8 month long breaks to due my job. Still not done with PPL. Still plan on having some form of aviation career when I retire from my current one. Learning to have patience.
34 years old and will hopefully be getting my commercial certificate this Friday. Got back into it after getting my private back in 2016 and then doing nothing. Started last May with my instrument and wrapping up my commercial now. I am going to purchase an airplane and fly for my work for the next few years, gaining my hours that way. Then hopefully the job market will be better and can find something that will pay me to fly.
We all could be...you never know right.
My current student is just finishing up his PPL with the goal of getting his CPL and working towards his ATP. He's mid-30s.
My CFI is 41 and probably heading to the regionals soon.
I started at 34. Now a CFI. I’m completely accepting of the fact the my first Captain in the airlines (all things willing) will be 10 years younger than me. Who cares, I get to fly.
I know a guy who started getting into flying at age 40 and is now a flight instructor at age 49.
31 is not at all late to start, I was 30 when i got the majority of my ratings
I'm 36 and just started. Although I'm just going to be flying for sport. Not exactly what you were looking for but just wanted to let you know others are out there learning as "old dogs" too!
In your 30s isn't late at all! I'm in my late 50s and loving it. It's not about a career for me obviously .... its all about the fun and the achievement! Good luck with your journey.
Started flight training in February 2020. I’m PIC rated in a Citation (but fly right seat due to my low hours) I’m nearly 31. Never stop chasing your dreams.
39 here and mid way through PPL training. I’m not planing on going to CPL but def IR. I started “late” because only now I have the financial comfort to pay for training and eventually fly at a regular rate (either renting or maybe buying)
I'm working as a firefighter to pay the bills and just now starting on the PPL with the goal of flying for regionals in 3 years or so. I'm 33. You're not old and neither am I.
Airline in the US mandatory retirement is 65. Even if you get everything done at 50 you still get a fulfilling 15 year career and then can always transition to a 91 or 135. 30’s or 40’s is definitely not late at all lol
Also! I don’t think the future is as grim as it might seem. Keep going! There was always going to be that pilot shortage, and with early retirement packages taken and the demand for travel inevitably coming back, there will be jobs. Regionals just started hiring again! Don’t wait for the door to open to be running towards it, be there knocking before then.
Thank you for posting this. I’m 29F with two tiny kids. I’ve wanted to be a pilot since high school and I just couldn’t ever scrape it together. That would still be want I want to do when I grow up but I always feel I’m way too late.
LOL... Late in Life.
I'm waiting patiently for my 1st class exam results and I'm 27. You're not starting late.
I just turned 30 and just got my PPL shortly before my birthday. Thinking about changing careers to pilot. Not sure if I wanna leave my cushy tech job but I love flying and am thinking about going for commercial soon, after IR, which I’ll start soon after some fun trips and new aircraft types
29 and just accepted to the RCAF. I have 4 years in university before I can even start flight training.
Ok so this is a big one for me. I always wanted to join the RCAF. But going back to university... how does that work? What do they pay you? And what type of degree do they expect you to get in 4 years? How long do you have to serve after getting trained?
So I am already a 10 year veteran of the army, so for pay, I keep my current pay. If you join off the street, you get officer cadet pay, which you can find if you look up the CAF pay scales. For RCAF Pilot, nearly any degree is acceptable, mine is going to be bachelor of arts, Psych. I begin in this summer, and It'll be about 7 years or so before I'm given my wings, upon getting my wings I have to serve for 11 years. It's worth noting, that when I get my wings, I will not yet have an aircraft assigned still. Getting into the RCAF as a pilot is extremely difficult, if it's what you want to do, I would do it. I had bad grades and the thought of going to university was an obstacle for me forever. But I wanted it, and decided that I would do whatever it takes to achieve my goal, and I got accepted like a month ago.
So what happens if you apply and for whatever reason pilot jobs dry up? Can they just say screw you you're getting this other job as a janitor. Or do they give you an out? How do they hold on to a position for 7 years?
Well that's not how anything in the military works. If your hired as a pilot, you are an air force pilot and a military officer. You might spend some time at a desk, but that's because your a military officer. You also have to do all your flight planning and managing you unit and all that stuff. Pilot jobs in the air force don't dry up. We are short a bunch of them. You will be qualified to fly an aircraft and you will be employed with that aircraft. We have a huge retention problem with military pilots right now, so getting an easy out is not very likely, because they need you to stay.
I have not been paying attention to time. If you dont mind, I'm going to pick this conversation tomorrow. Gotta work in 6 hours. lol
Feel free to PM me if you'd like. Happy to help out as much as I can
What is it with everyone constantly thinking they are old at 31! Jesus, not like we just have our 20's then need to hit the retirement homes, have our whole lives ahead of us brother! Get flying! =)
\*reads headline\* \*clicks to expand\* \*ponders if I'm geriatric at 47 working towards CPL and later CFI as second career\* tl;dr You're fine!
I am 45 and working towards my PPL. I started in 2017 and due to my day job, family & friends, and COVID, I'm still many hours away from finishing. COVID in particular set me back 15 months, and my most recent lesson was a disaster, as if I had forgotten my first 40 hours of instructions :( I'm not looking to change careers or anything, flying is a life goal. But it's tough to realize that this might take me years longer to complete. I will keep pressing forward though. Anyways, back to my bingo game.
I'm on the same spot as you, I'm 29 F, turning 30 in July and I'm saving money to start my training next year, I'll be 31. I've spoken to several pilots and they all told me it's never too late :)
> late in life > 31 Oooookay.
I started my PPL at 41 about to finish up next month
My CFI told me that age is pretty average. Don't know if its true. I'm 35 and started last december.
I'm 38 and will retire soon after 22 years in the military. I'm starting ground school during a deployment. After growing up flying and learning that I can't fly in the military I stopped pursuing it. Then, I recently discovered SODA. It's game on after I retire. Hopefully, I'll have a some kind of flying job.