Too old for this?
Hi everyone, I've been looking at asking this question on an aviation forum for some time, but have put been put off by the nature of some of the replies prevalent on some of the other bigger forums - no names. From what I've read, so far, the members here seem a little more humble and willing to help rather than automatically flame. I'm a mature individual (i.e. a lot older than most wannabees) and looking at a career change. I've done a lot of research and am fully aware of the cost involved, the current state of the industry, the ridiculous number of new [younger] pilots trying to break into the market and the financial hardships and lack of job security that would surely follow. Am I just going through a mid-life crisis, and need to buy myself a sports car, or can an older person actually make it into todays aviation industry? Honest & reasoned replies sought.
I guess a lot of it will
I guess a lot of it will depend on how old is old, where you live/want to be based, whether you're married/have kids, what your career aspirations in aviation are (ie are you looking towards the big carriers), how much you really want to enter the industry and whether your current profession is really that bad that it's worth giving up - the grass certainly isn't always greener!
I moved into aviation as a
I moved into aviation as a second career at 30. I had my eyes open and I was never going to have a full career in a 'flag carrying' airline. In fact, the whole airline thing wasn't for me and I found a very enjoyable job working with general aviation. After 10 years in general aviation, I wouldn't go into the airline.
When I was working as a recruiter for my employer, I interviewed many people who were in their 50s just starting out in their flying career. They were employed and I enjoy seeing them flying the line still.
If you want it, just keep on networking and targeting the employers you want to work for.
Thanks for the
Thanks for the responses.
Richard, it's good to know that it is a viable option for a second career, though I do wonder if this still holds true in todays' environment.
Maxrevs, these are the sort of questions I've been asking myself. I'm the wrong side of 40, married with a teenage son. I currently work in IT which, although I don't hate, I can't help feeling there is more I want to achieve with my life - hence maybe the mid-life crisis!
Like Richard, I have no ambition to join the big carriers. Executive/Business Jets would certainly interest me - though I'm not sure of the best route to take. I understand that 'hours' is key to getting established and moving on in the industry but after flight training how do you get to the magic numbers where a potential employer will actually look at your CV?
Has any other "old git" got any recent experience?