Hello, quick question: I’ve dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot and pilot in general for so many years now and would like to know how common and feasible it is to start at a later age in life. I just turned 48 in August and would need real feedback on the possibility of making this a lifelong career. Thank you.
Adrian,
Welcome to the forum. Is it too late? No, but you need to have realistic expectations. The airlines run on the seniority system, so those that start younger will go further in their careers. In other words, you will never be a 777 Captain for Delta Airlines. But that does not mean that you cannot have a good, meaningful career, perhaps even getting to the major airlines. Check out the FAQ section of this website as there is a great post there that deals with this question in depth.
I will say though, time is marching on. If you decide this is something you want to do, you need to start soon and find a school that can help you acheive your ratings quickly and efficiently.
Chris
Adrian,
While the average age of flight training (student pilot certifications) this year is around 33.5 years old, you’re definitely behind that curve. However, it’s not over for you. Let’s use hypothetical numbers, given that you used your D.O.B. here. It takes 9 months for ATP’s program (the ACPP), if you started by your 48th birthday. It roughly takes 1.5 - 2 years to build time, a lot of that has a mix of factors (i.e., students, weather, DPE availability, etc.). You would theoretically be an airline applicant at age 50. That would leave you a 15-year career given the retirement age is 65 years old.
A 15-year could mean two things, legacy (including cargo) or regional airline. Those that are in the regionals typically have a “flow” time of 6-7 years, so you’re at the regional airline for that timeframe unless you got hired outside of the flow. That would mean 8 years (conservatively speaking) remaining at a legacy airline. 8 years could bring good seniority which in return, brings good QOL. OR you stay at the regional airline of choice and hold seniority and CA or FO, and have the QOL you desire.
I wouldn’t suspect a widebody CA in your near future as many of those positions take a decade or more to hold due to the desirability of that seat.
If you’re seriously contemplating on this career change, I would recommend taking a discovery/introductory/admissions flight ASAP. Any lapse in timeline could result in the career not working out or seeing a larger gap between training and hiring:
Brady
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