Is 50 too old to start a pilot career?

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TeaLeaf

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Topic # 232150 1-Apr-2018 14:24

Something Ive always dreamed of is being a Pilot, but got sucked into IT for the money like many, along with a technology interest.

I feel like in a few years I need a career change. Its hard to know if jobs are limited by being agist.

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Reply # 1986791 1-Apr-2018 14:36

Air NZ not currently hiring.

I was going to say yes but this suggests there are pilots over 70 at Air NZ (http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4882356/Ageing-Air-NZ-pilots-refuse-to-retire) but that was 7 years ago.

Will you still pass the required medical based on family history to be able to pay off the large student loans

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Dingbatt

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Reply # 1986796 1-Apr-2018 14:45

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Yes. 50 is too old. Considering you have to start at the bottom in commercial aviation. And by the bottom I mean the hardest job, on the minimum pay with long hours, while you try and build your hours to get to the next rung on the ladder.
@Hairy1 is probably better to comment, but there is also significant financial commitment involved to get started. One that you are unlikely to recoup. In the airlines they would need to see a return on their investment if they provide the aircraft type conversions. Otherwise, even more expense on your part.
If the pundits are to be believed, the current bunch of commerical pilots are likely to be the last 'pilots' in the traditional sense. While autonomous aircraft may still be a little way off, the change is probably inevitable.

The best advice I have heard an airline pilot friend give someone was to get a great job in IT and earn enough to fly for fun if you want to, because high paying jobs in aviation are a thing of the past.

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TeaLeaf

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Reply # 1986797 1-Apr-2018 14:45

mentalinc:

Air NZ not currently hiring.

I was going to say yes but this suggests there are pilots over 70 at Air NZ (http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4882356/Ageing-Air-NZ-pilots-refuse-to-retire) but that was 7 years ago.

Will you still pass the required medical based on family history to be able to pay off the large student loans

Yeah the time and money is the biggest factor. Im actually thinking more on call domestic work, possibly even Cessna 172 tourism type work.

Im hoping in say 10 years Ill be able to semi retire and being able to do a job you love part time would be amazing. But Im worried about age, if thats not an issue I guess it comes down to health? I wouldnt imagine its something Id do for more than 10 years, so fully retiring at 65.

Id absolutely love to be a Choppa pilot but that takes some serious hours.

Thanks for that link, very interesting. I guess when you have a job you would pay to do like that link, why would you want to retire. A bit like Footy players that go on too long and find it hard to let go.

On the flip side, if you did it long enough to buy yourself a personal plane, what a bloody fun hobby......

TeaLeaf

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Reply # 1986798 1-Apr-2018 14:50

Dingbatt: Yes. 50 is too old.

The best advice I have heard an airline pilot friend give someone was to get a great job in IT and earn enough to fly for fun if you want to, because high paying jobs in aviation are a thing of the past.

Thanks for that. That is semi what Im looking at, but doing small plane tourism work, 10 years from now when Im ready to semi retire. I want to live in a more country atmosphere but it would require living in a tourism town.

Places I have wanted to live maybe out of the question.

Whangarei

Whitianga

New Plymouth

Some other places might be good for this sort of work

Nelson (anywhere in Marlborough)

Te Anau

Queenstown (although I might not be able to afford a place there, Id have to live out of town).

I think Im looking for a little bit of encouragement of chasing my dreams rather than working in an office for the last 10 years of my working life after already having spent 30 years in a cubical lol.

rb99

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Reply # 1986799 1-Apr-2018 14:52

Not having flown for decades and not having the money now (which is probably irrelevant actually), I should imagine you'd have to make do with Dingbatts last paragraph.

Or maybe you could get into ag-pilot or glider towing or something ? not that I've researched it.

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TeaLeaf

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Reply # 1986800 1-Apr-2018 14:53

Perhaps giving these guys some questions would be the best bet?

https://www.aviationinstitute.co.nz//

rb99

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Reply # 1986801 1-Apr-2018 14:54

There's always Whakatane (or Tauranga). Wouldn't flying tourists = commercial licence = empty money pit.

rb99

TeaLeaf

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Reply # 1986804 1-Apr-2018 14:56

rb99:

Not having flown for decades and not having the money now (which is probably irrelevant actually), I should imagine you'd have to make do with Dingbatts last paragraph.

Did you find it enjoyable?

Its not my only option for part time semi retirement but Im pretty sure Id enjoy it. I guess getting some hours under my belt would be the best way to be sure before going head on into it.

What else do semi retired 55yos do?

I know people keep working to 65, but Im a firm believer life is to short not to be doing something you enjoy, at least for some part of your life....

TeaLeaf

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Reply # 1986805 1-Apr-2018 14:56

rb99:

There's always Whakatane (or Tauranga). Wouldn't flying tourists = commercial licence = empty money pit.

Really is that an aerial tourism market region?

blackjack17

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Reply # 1986807 1-Apr-2018 15:06

What about taking it up as a hobby? Microlight or autogyro.

Note only thing I have flown is a kite

rb99

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Reply # 1986808 1-Apr-2018 15:06

I only ever had a PPL and I certainly enjoyed it, though I don't think I was very good at it. Learnt in northwest UK, circuit bashing, views over to North Wales mountains, climb through the scattered clouds to cruise above those puffy white things, trying not to get lost on cross countries, the odd (deliberate) spin. Never really had the money to do it properly though so I couldn't fly enough to be confident to take passengers. So if you've got a few bob its great fun, and you can find a club and take part in competitions, maybe precision flying, dawn till dusk stuff.

Or there's always needlework or knitting woolly hats.

rb99

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Reply # 1986810 1-Apr-2018 15:11

They have (a few) warbirds in Tauranga and Whakatane does flights around the area and trips to White Island. Its not Queenstown but its not bad.

This kind of stuff http://aerohire.co.nz/ - expensive hobby....

or http://www.whiteislandflights.co.nz/

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TeaLeaf

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Reply # 1986814 1-Apr-2018 15:17

rb99:

They have (a few) warbirds in Tauranga and Whakatane does flights around the area and trips to White Island. Its not Queenstown but its not bad.

This kind of stuff http://aerohire.co.nz/ - expensive hobby....

or http://www.whiteislandflights.co.nz/

Yes I just read Bay Of Islands in this link at the bottom.

Surely you must be able to tweak enough money from it to pay your bills and food?

https://www.aia.org.nz/Industry/Aviation+Industry+overview+aircraft+products++charter+flights.html

I know any jet requires more education. But if I limited myself to props, that would limit my on call work or demand.

Im looking at it for more than just a hobby but also a small income. If thats impossible then Ill need to rethink my options.

Would it be possible to own your own plane and run it as a tourism business?

I have a degree in Tourism of all things, along with a BCom.

TeaLeaf

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Reply # 1986816 1-Apr-2018 15:23

This is interesting, Air NZ aiming to be the number one digital airline.

With my Project Management, Solutions Architecture and the one I enjoy the most UX design, this could be a way to work for Air NZ first. They wanted me 10 years ago but I had to go back to Aus, I semi regret it.

https://careers.airnewzealand.co.nz/belong-here/career-options/digital/#Digital

surfisup1000

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Reply # 1986817 1-Apr-2018 15:24

I have a good friend who flies large jets, passenger and cargo, for a large airline. He reckons there was both a bit of luck and definitely hard work to get to where he is now.

I get the impression from him you need to start reasonably young. You work the hard grueling smaller planes to build hours, and if you're lucky you might eventually be hired to fly as co-pilot on smaller planes. Then, pilot.

Then, if you're lucky again, you might get selected to fly jets, but it takes a long time to become captain.

But , once you get there, you can have your favorite barber in Kathmandu, go surfing in lots of cool places, and see some really cool things in cargo.

Of course, you don't need to get to where he is at, you can be happy with small commercial.

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