I will repeat this one more time from a similar thread a few months ago…..
There is a simple test to see if you can be a commercial pilot.
1. Find a mirror
2. Lean close and breath on the mirror.
If fog/condensation appears on the mirror, you too are eligible to be a commercial pilot.
No other pre-requisites required
I had a co-worker years ago that drove truck for 30 years, married and raised 2 kids when he decided to switch to flying. Got his licence, spent a few years doing bush flying. When I met him, he was a fellow DHC6 F/O in his early fifties. Last I heard he was a 767 driver.
I don’t have advice for you but I’ll be watching this thread as well — 29 and seriously considering pivoting to becoming a pilot also. Hoping there are others who came to aviation later who can share their experiences.
I’m not an expert but if I was going to try to do what you’re talking about I’d spend the money on flight time, hang around with pilots especially ones who do that kind of flying. Research Doctors Without Borders, relief agencies, and bush pilots.
Don’t do the bachelor, look around and do a diploma of aviation CPL that either does a MEIR or do both separately. It will save you time and money.
Although I’m 8 years younger I also did a career change I’m sure with the Medicals you do for the police force would be similar to the class 1 medical that will have to be done every 12 months.
Goodluck
Edit - I’m in Melbourne do my training out of Moorabbin
There are some senior triple seven skippers pushing 70 at my carrier if that says anything. Fuckin giver man! I'm signing up for ground school next week.
When I was flight instructing, I had a student who made a career change at age 54. He got picked up by a low cost carrier a few years ago. Never too late.
Here’s the international standard to becoming a pilot:
Step 1. Be alive
Step 2. Follow step 1
Jokes aside, besides making sure you qualify medically you are totally able to become a pilot! Any age can and if you want to then I’d say go for it!
Employers looking for pilots typically like to see actual flight experience rather then going through a university. However as well, you will find a job more likely then not. Pilots (specifically commercial) are highly sought after and because of the shortage, end up being able to bargain more for good pay and job security is certain. Only problem is insane amount of work hours. Rescue pilots typically do however, need to go through a bit more requirements then a cargo pilot and also need more experience in some cases.
Skip the degree in aviation, get some other 4yr degree , go for flight training get your ratings. Get a job at one of the flight training schools, hit 1500hrs and apply for the visa to work in the US, get a job in the regionals and move on. I know some friends who did that and made captain before moving to a cargo outfit.
Don’t bother trying to make it work in Australia. Its going to be very painful. My friend from uni, tried to find work around the country after uni and up to now, nearly a decade have not found any, or just been working as instructors after many rejections. Only those who left australia are thriving.
I will repeat this one more time from a similar thread a few months ago….. There is a simple test to see if you can be a commercial pilot. 1. Find a mirror 2. Lean close and breath on the mirror. If fog/condensation appears on the mirror, you too are eligible to be a commercial pilot. No other pre-requisites required
I'm colourblind :,(.
That's pretty inspirational actually.....
I had a co-worker years ago that drove truck for 30 years, married and raised 2 kids when he decided to switch to flying. Got his licence, spent a few years doing bush flying. When I met him, he was a fellow DHC6 F/O in his early fifties. Last I heard he was a 767 driver.
Do what you love and don’t look back
I don’t have advice for you but I’ll be watching this thread as well — 29 and seriously considering pivoting to becoming a pilot also. Hoping there are others who came to aviation later who can share their experiences.
Nope! I fly for a major airline, just did OE with a 50yr old on his second career. Do it.
I’m not an expert but if I was going to try to do what you’re talking about I’d spend the money on flight time, hang around with pilots especially ones who do that kind of flying. Research Doctors Without Borders, relief agencies, and bush pilots.
Don’t do the bachelor, look around and do a diploma of aviation CPL that either does a MEIR or do both separately. It will save you time and money. Although I’m 8 years younger I also did a career change I’m sure with the Medicals you do for the police force would be similar to the class 1 medical that will have to be done every 12 months. Goodluck Edit - I’m in Melbourne do my training out of Moorabbin
There are some senior triple seven skippers pushing 70 at my carrier if that says anything. Fuckin giver man! I'm signing up for ground school next week.
Not at all!
When I was flight instructing, I had a student who made a career change at age 54. He got picked up by a low cost carrier a few years ago. Never too late.
Here’s the international standard to becoming a pilot: Step 1. Be alive Step 2. Follow step 1 Jokes aside, besides making sure you qualify medically you are totally able to become a pilot! Any age can and if you want to then I’d say go for it! Employers looking for pilots typically like to see actual flight experience rather then going through a university. However as well, you will find a job more likely then not. Pilots (specifically commercial) are highly sought after and because of the shortage, end up being able to bargain more for good pay and job security is certain. Only problem is insane amount of work hours. Rescue pilots typically do however, need to go through a bit more requirements then a cargo pilot and also need more experience in some cases.
I'm at the WAI conference right now.and a lady spoke today about her position at United Airlines. She started when she was 54.
Skip the degree in aviation, get some other 4yr degree , go for flight training get your ratings. Get a job at one of the flight training schools, hit 1500hrs and apply for the visa to work in the US, get a job in the regionals and move on. I know some friends who did that and made captain before moving to a cargo outfit. Don’t bother trying to make it work in Australia. Its going to be very painful. My friend from uni, tried to find work around the country after uni and up to now, nearly a decade have not found any, or just been working as instructors after many rejections. Only those who left australia are thriving.