Career change to flying

[citychap26]

Hi All,

Toying with a career change... Want to become a pilot !! Nope not seen Top Gun recently...

I'm going to be 34 next March, is it too late to change ? I am guessing that PPL is the first step, then need to get instrument rating etc. Anyone else done anything this radical at this age ?

Also I know that my income will take a serious dip.

Cheers

Sunil

[jeebus]

If your confident enough go for it, but whatever you do don't hand large sums of money over all at once, it is quite common for flying schools to go bust and to take your hard earned money with them. Check out pprune forums and you will see some very good advice on there. Be sure to do plenty of research before you commit to it fully, also do a class 1 medical first because if you fail that then your stuffed.

[North West Tom]

I'm not trying to put you off, but i heard it costs £80,000 just to qualify (courses etc). But don't worry, you'll definately be able to pay it off. I'd love to be a pilot, i can't think of a better job. 34 is fine too.

Good luck. Keep us updated.

[Racefan_uk]

North West Tom said:

I'm not trying to put you off, but i heard it costs £80,000 just to qualify (courses etc). But don't worry, you'll definately be able to pay it off. I'd love to be a pilot, i can't think of a better job. 34 is fine too.

Good luck. Keep us updated.

Are you sure about that? In the current climate with the airlines as they are? Just a passing thought, not trying to put the OP off.

[JamesM]

Racefan_uk said:

North West Tom said:

I'm not trying to put you off, but i heard it costs £80,000 just to qualify (courses etc). But don't worry, you'll definately be able to pay it off. I'd love to be a pilot, i can't think of a better job. 34 is fine too.

Good luck. Keep us updated.

Are you sure about that? In the current climate with the airlines as they are? Just a passing thought, not trying to put the OP off.

Ocean finance could help him out...

[Mr POD]

citychap26 said:

Hi All,

Toying with a career change... Want to become a pilot !! Nope not seen Top Gun recently...

I'm going to be 34 next March, is it too late to change ? I am guessing that PPL is the first step, then need to get instrument rating etc. Anyone else done anything this radical at this age ?

Also I know that my income will take a serious dip.

Cheers

Sunil

My landlady's brother became a pilot about 4 years ago. £90K training spreadover 6 months in Arizona. Now works for BA on international flights. He sold his house to fund it and moved his wife and 5 kids in with his parents. (Note they now have 2 more kids)

He seems to be a lot happier than I remember him previously, but how much commitment and risk would you take ?

[EDLT]

Do any of the airlines offer a deal where you pay for the training and you get a job at the end of it? It could be something to look in to before spending your money.

[Simpo Two]

A chap who went to my old school now runs a amall airline in Bermuda - or possibly Barbados - or possibly the Bahamas - flying tourists around.

Obviously I did the wrong O-levels!

Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 8th August 22:53

[okgo]

Say goodbye to this thread.

I think there are ways of companies paying for the training, but maybe they are for younger folk?

Either way if its something you can do and succeed in, it looks great, one of our best family friends has been a captain for Virgin ,Korean Airlines etc and has had such an amazing std of living.

[citychap26]

Think that i'll go for the PPL route first. Should be able to fund it, however the cut in salary to 35k would be pretty bad !

I should have done this a few years ago.

[sneijder]

Is there still money in it ?

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lax-colony...

I recently heard Turkish are the only ones hiring right now (that might be tosh). It's wage freezes all over the place, and those who have jobs are glad they do.

Having said that, I've been working at an airport for over a year now and the novelty still hasn't worn off.

[russ_a]

Chap I used to work with simply applied direct to the airlines. No flying experience (though he knew a fair bit about jet engines) and got on their trainee course.

Last I heard he was living in a company flat in Spain learning to land 777

[RDE]

You're not too old. I think i'm right in saying that the creator of Pprune was 39 when he changed career to flying, and twelve years later he's a 747 first officer.