Can I be a professional pilot?

Question

I am a 30 years old civil engineer. But I'm thinking about going to flight school and being a professional pilot.

Do you think it's too risky to do it?
I feel like being a pilot is just a dream, not reality.

I really wonder
1. Am I too old to change my job?
2. Would I be hired? (ex.Quantas or Virgin blue or something)
Ain't I too old to be a new pilot?

Answer 1

Not too old at all. Take into account that you may take a pay cut initially and that training would require a significant time and financial investment. At age 30 I would strongly consider an academy type flight schools. Many of these are owned by or have agreement with regional airlines to hire their students

http://www.deltaconnectionacademy.com/

http://www.atpflightschool.com

You will most likely work for a regional airline for several years before becoming eligble for higher paid airline jobs.

Here are some sites that may be helpful to you:

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/

http://www.pprune.org/forums/

http://www.verticalreference.com/vrarticles/helicopter-flight-training.html

Answer 2

Ok it’s true that you’re not too old to become a pro pilot but let me caution you about some things first. Like everything else in life, being a pilot it not always what it seems from the outside. To get all the required ratings and training you’re gonna have to lay out a load of cash. Probably between $30-$50K or even much more depending on how you do it. Once you’ve paid that you’ll probably have around 300 hours in you log book and you’ll be pretty much worthless to any commercial operator. You’ll probably have to become a flight instructor to build some more time. Sounds good so far?

The nice thing is that these days the regional airlines are hiring new guys with around 500 hours total time. Of course the first year salary is about $20,000. Try to live on that in some parts of the US! It doesn’t get much better until you upgrade to captain.

There are a lot of problems in this industry and I couldn’t even begin to scratch the surface here so make sure you really do your research. If you have a wife and children or even just a wife you better make sure that she knows what you’re up to and that she knows what she’s getting into financially and otherwise. If you have a good job now that you can tolerate my recommendation is to stay where you’re at and fly for fun in your off time!

Answer 3

First and for most get your four year degree. If you are looking to the military for flight training, don't worry too much about your age. Although the Air force has an age cut off of 27 and 1/2 years for pilot training, you can get an age waiver for some one as old as 30. Choose your military career wisely though. Some military pilots get a lot more flight time than others. Flying fighters or other high profile aircraft might seem glamorous, you will in fact get very few flight hours. Flying less well know aircraft can get you more flight time than you can imagine. I know of a C-130 pilot who logged close to 1000 hours in a year. I know of a C-17 pilot that is gone flying three weeks a month. The other advantage to flying military cargo aircraft is that you get "heavy" multi engine time that looks good on a resume if you are trying to pursue an airline career

Answer 4

I was a student pilot and I had an 40 yr old guy in my class and he was hire by the airline in about 2 years. He already had a 4 year degree tho. I went to delta connection but didnt like it as much. I think you should check out atp. I had 3 friends that went there. Plus the price for atp is cheaper than DCA.

Your never to old to live your dream!!!

Answer 5

You are definitely not too old. If this is something that you really, really want to do then do it. Like someone else said, I would consider going to one of the flight academies. They cost a little more but you will get your ratings and experience a lot faster. I would go take a FAA physical first just to make sure that you don't have any disqualifying medical conditions. Then, go take an introductory flight at a local flight school to see how you like it. Just because you take the flight with them doesn't mean that you have to go to school there. Do it for the experience to see what it's like. Then make your decision about where you want to learn to fly.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 6

NO you are actually realatively young for the airlines... if you want to get on a training scheme it would be very easy for you with all your engineering exprince (especally the math and physics portions of tests) next you need to get through the interviews where in most cases they will bring you to you stress limits and see how well you preform(there are hundredes of books on this (i have ACE technical pilot interview, lots of info on scientific side of flying) believe me you are not too old just go for it, make your slef happy and avoid depression later in life

Answer 7

Go for it!!! Oh I used to fly, I loved it and regret not going all the way. YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD and yes, as long as you are a good pilot, you will get hired. Record my email ([e-mail]) and please let me know of your progress if you decided to do it. It is so expensive to learn to fly. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

too old?
nah....there's 60 year old pilots out there....you just have to
understand everything...with you already a civil engineer...becoming a pilot is a cake walk....something that might boost your chances....take some kind of martial arts or you know defensive and offensive fighting classes....just because of the whole terror thing....but to answer your question....darn right you could become one....quick to....good luck to you my friend....hope my words of encouragement help you take that giant leap into the sky....

Answer 9

I'm only guessing here but I think people with athsma are disqualified because going up atmospheres gives everyone problems. I wish I could help ya out with the other stuff - Your still eligible to go into the military so I'd say pursue your goals! :)