How hard / easy to become a Commerical Airline Pilot....
Discussion
Prawo Jazdy said:
I flew with a captain during training who had exactly your background and started at a similar age. I've flown with captains since who have come from IT, radio, and other professions that I don't remember, and changed career in their mid thirties. Anyone who says you've missed the boat is talking nonsense. In my group of trainees there was a 36-year-old guy who did finance IT. He made it work (with a family) and continued his job to some extent on the side during training.
It does depend what you want though. If you want to be at the top of BA's long haul command seniority list one day, then yes, you may have left it too late. You will see some realism and cautionary tales on Pprune. You will also see plenty of bitterness, uninformed b
ks, moaning... Don't give a random web opinion any more authority just because it was written on a pilot forum.
Good luck.
this, my old PA's husband did it when he was in mid thirties if not older, had a background in IT Hardware support, took him a while to get a reasonable job, think he went Loganair, then Ryan, which was a nightmare for him I believe, think he has landed a decent job now though It does depend what you want though. If you want to be at the top of BA's long haul command seniority list one day, then yes, you may have left it too late. You will see some realism and cautionary tales on Pprune. You will also see plenty of bitterness, uninformed b
ks, moaning... Don't give a random web opinion any more authority just because it was written on a pilot forum.Good luck.
Edited by briang9 on Sunday 2nd October 00:11
brenflys777 said:
Medical is a good place to start. Class 1's are harder to achieve and a limiting factor.
Age of 34 is not a problem. I fly A380's and a number of our pilots didn't fly until their 30's.
Really? Ok I'll tell my buddy who got tipped more than once off not to wait for BA scheme again and take the Ezy scheme (if offered) due to Brexit has it all wrong.Age of 34 is not a problem. I fly A380's and a number of our pilots didn't fly until their 30's.
kurt535 said:
BA cadet scheme looks in doubt due to brexit.
The above is nonsense. The BA scheme and BREXIT are totally unrelated. kurt535 said:
brenflys777 said:
Medical is a good place to start. Class 1's are harder to achieve and a limiting factor.
Age of 34 is not a problem. I fly A380's and a number of our pilots didn't fly until their 30's.
Really? Ok I'll tell my buddy who got tipped more than once off not to wait for BA scheme again and take the Ezy scheme (if offered) due to Brexit has it all wrong.Age of 34 is not a problem. I fly A380's and a number of our pilots didn't fly until their 30's.
kurt535 said:
BA cadet scheme looks in doubt due to brexit.
The above is nonsense. The BA scheme and BREXIT are totally unrelated. The BA cadet scheme (FPP) doesn't have a 'waiting list', so I'd expect he's bright enough to know that if he's offered an EasyJet CTC course or any other approved scheme it's likely to be be best to take the bird in the hand. Lots of easyJet pilots later leave to join one of the longhaul outfits and they are a good company with the chance to get relevant experience quickly with good training.
I don't know when or if the BA scheme will start again, hopefully whoever 'tipped' off your buddy is well informed enough to know that there are a multitude of reasons involved in the decision on whether to recruit via a cadet scheme. BREXIT has not been a deciding factor I've heard about and the continual recruitment from other sources suggests it's nonsense (although it may have been a convenient excuse if someone was anti- BREXIT).
What do you think the connection is between BREXIT and a cadet scheme such that it hasn't affected other BA recruitment? The lead in time might be a factor but the boss of IAG seems ambivalent about its effects so to suggest BREXIT is the deciding factor in the continuance of cadet schemes seems unlikely, especially when shorthaul outfits with multiple bases in the EU and the UK like EasyJet continue to recruit!
Edited by brenflys777 on Sunday 2nd October 11:22
Tango13 said:
There's always the Frank Abagnale route to becoming an airline pilot... 
Thomas Salme did a better job. Frank Abagnale never sat in the pilots seat, just dead headed....http://gizmodo.com/5540789/the-guy-who-flew-thousa...
I know several now proffesional pilots who didnt start until their mid thirties so dont let that put you off.
In terms of training, either jack your job in and go full time at the likes of CTC or take the modular route with a ppl then atpl self or classroom study, cpl and ratings. Its doable but it is a lot of work and often intense at that.
CTC zero to hero is about £120k, modular should be doable with about half that amount if you can get a good hour building deal.
Go for a trial flight first and see if you like it, then make sure you can get a class 1 medical before thinking about quiting your day job!
Good luck!
In terms of training, either jack your job in and go full time at the likes of CTC or take the modular route with a ppl then atpl self or classroom study, cpl and ratings. Its doable but it is a lot of work and often intense at that.
CTC zero to hero is about £120k, modular should be doable with about half that amount if you can get a good hour building deal.
Go for a trial flight first and see if you like it, then make sure you can get a class 1 medical before thinking about quiting your day job!
Good luck!
Used to work with a guy, whose friend would meet us for lunch (he worked at the same bank as us). He was saving to pay for becoming a pilot.
Once he had the funds, he emigrated to the US - where it's cheaper. Once qualified, he became an instructor (apparently this is the first route for lots of newbie pilots).
Now he flies freight, and earning pretty good money by all accounts. He was 30-31 when he first went to the US, so I'd say 34 is ok...
Once he had the funds, he emigrated to the US - where it's cheaper. Once qualified, he became an instructor (apparently this is the first route for lots of newbie pilots).
Now he flies freight, and earning pretty good money by all accounts. He was 30-31 when he first went to the US, so I'd say 34 is ok...
34 is not too old as people say, but the older you get, doors do start to close.
I'd be very careful about giving up a well paid job to chase the pilot dream as it can be a very long and often fruitless path, but it can be done with hard work, determination and a significant amount of money. Some good luck is normally needed also!
There's no reason at 34 to be 'past' a career as a commercial pilot, but you might need to be realistic about the end result.
As previously mentioned, making it to senior long haul captain earning £200k pa may now be unlikely, but flying domestic and European routes on smaller aircraft on a more average salary should be achievable.
Don't under estimate the amount of work involved however in both getting qualified and then finding that dream job. It would take over your life completely for the next few years, and any personal relationships you have could suffer along the way. It can be expensive both financially and emotionally!
I was in a similar position leaving a fairly good job to start my commercial training at 30. After 15 months training, it took me almost 2 years to secure a job flying the dash 8 (fantastic aircraft to fly BTW), I then was then lucky enough to land my dream job flying the 757 and 767 which I did for several years before moving on to the 787.
I have absolutely no regrets, but know I have been fortunate.
I do however have friends who followed the same path but found it lead them to a dead-end.
My only advice would be that IF you decide this is what you want, and you have the medical certificate, the funds and the determination for it, then don't delay.
You would be 36 by the time you have the Frozen ATPL, which could have you in the right hand seat of a commercial twin jet or prop by 37/38, so could still end up with a command in your early 40's which isn't to be sniffed at!
Good luck.
I'd be very careful about giving up a well paid job to chase the pilot dream as it can be a very long and often fruitless path, but it can be done with hard work, determination and a significant amount of money. Some good luck is normally needed also!
There's no reason at 34 to be 'past' a career as a commercial pilot, but you might need to be realistic about the end result.
As previously mentioned, making it to senior long haul captain earning £200k pa may now be unlikely, but flying domestic and European routes on smaller aircraft on a more average salary should be achievable.
Don't under estimate the amount of work involved however in both getting qualified and then finding that dream job. It would take over your life completely for the next few years, and any personal relationships you have could suffer along the way. It can be expensive both financially and emotionally!
I was in a similar position leaving a fairly good job to start my commercial training at 30. After 15 months training, it took me almost 2 years to secure a job flying the dash 8 (fantastic aircraft to fly BTW), I then was then lucky enough to land my dream job flying the 757 and 767 which I did for several years before moving on to the 787.
I have absolutely no regrets, but know I have been fortunate.
I do however have friends who followed the same path but found it lead them to a dead-end.
My only advice would be that IF you decide this is what you want, and you have the medical certificate, the funds and the determination for it, then don't delay.
You would be 36 by the time you have the Frozen ATPL, which could have you in the right hand seat of a commercial twin jet or prop by 37/38, so could still end up with a command in your early 40's which isn't to be sniffed at!
Good luck.
Edited by Sifly on Saturday 8th October 06:19
As above - Go to the CAA & get your class 1 medical. Then get on with it.
My story- I started with 0 hours at the age of 32(been gliding for about 5 years tho). The classroom training was tough for me as I'd been out of education for 10ish years. Fortunately never struggled with the practical stuff. Then with my fresh fATPL in my clammy paw, into an employment void for about 4 years but I flew anything/everything I could (glider tugging/skydiving/aerial photography/delivering aircraft). Got a job on Sheds which was 'interesting' then with a few hundred hours on them managed to get a job on a B767 (that was a steep learning curve!). Been at it ever since. Best job ever.
Would've now been sat in an office looking out of the window thinking 'I wonder'.......
My story- I started with 0 hours at the age of 32(been gliding for about 5 years tho). The classroom training was tough for me as I'd been out of education for 10ish years. Fortunately never struggled with the practical stuff. Then with my fresh fATPL in my clammy paw, into an employment void for about 4 years but I flew anything/everything I could (glider tugging/skydiving/aerial photography/delivering aircraft). Got a job on Sheds which was 'interesting' then with a few hundred hours on them managed to get a job on a B767 (that was a steep learning curve!). Been at it ever since. Best job ever.
Would've now been sat in an office looking out of the window thinking 'I wonder'.......
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