The pros and cons of becoming a commercial pilot in your mid 30s and 40s

In this video, I share a few things to consider when you are planning to become a commercial pilot in your mid-30s or 40s. Feel free to drop your questions and I will respond to them.
#Aviation
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[@jcheck6]

I was hired at 35 by a major and saved enough to retire at 59. And this was the worst of times in the airline industry. I should mention that my airline was the only one that preserved its Defined Benefit Plan. Pay now is twice as much as I was making on my last day as a A320 CA.

[@stephenav8]

Thanks for this comment. It’s nice to get your input on this.

[@rapinncapin123]

Good stuff, congratulations 🎊

[@machodossantos7443]

Thank You for this motivation I am 34 right now and just relized I wanna become a pilot so this Is needed to read

[@user-oi1og6ug5r]

If you are 30 you can get a job right

[@brinjal1371]

​@@machodossantos7443what stage are you in now?

[@ucheokoyeinuluonum4296]

Thanks for sharing this. You have answered a lot of questions for me

[@JayFairbrother]

Good breakdown Stephen. Seems like there are a lot of similarities to changing careers in many other fields in your 30s or 40s. Not easy, but worth it if it's what you really want!

[@stephenav8]

That’s right Jay. It’s not easy starting over in a new career. Thanks

[@joshuagriffith7189]

Considering becoming a pilot now at age 30. Been travelling my whole life moving every two to three years since I was born due to father and his job. Planes ran my life, took me to and from, places and people I loved and taught me a lot. Planes were my place for reflection and a metaphor for life and its lessons. I do admit fear of heights and it seems intimidating. But I also understand many feel that way and it’s normal. Today the planes pilot themselves too but of course it is nowhere near that simple. I’ll keep researching. Any advice guys please tag me and offer it here :)

[@stephenav8]

Hey, it’s a great time to be a pilot. Find a local flight school and schedule a discovery flight. That will be my first recommendation. cost for that is around $150 for a quick 30-45 min ride. It will give you an idea of what to expect.

[@jcheck6]

Josh, I flew fighters but hate roller coasters. Go figure.

[@zephyrkhambatta]

Thanks for that, I actually did consider it after playing some flight sim games. :)

[@stephenav8]

Glad I could help!

[@rapinncapin123]

Good video bro

[@stephenav8]

Appreciate it

[@machodossantos7443]

Stephen I am 34 years old starting from Zero . I live In New York City and I am having a lot of Problem with Money . I plan on going too a college but I am starting from the bottom I have Never flown before.

[@stephenav8]

You can definitely get started but you will need to find a way to raise the funds for training. You could considered getting a loan for training.

[@RiechCruz]

What suggestions would you have for a person in their late 40's or early 50's who do not want to be an airline pilot but would like to become a full time CFI? Do you think age is a factor?

[@stephenav8]

Age is not really a factor for CFIs. Starting training as soon as possible will be beneficial but age should not be the reason to no go after what you desire. Also there are no age restrictions as long as you meet the medical requirements.

[@richarddastardly6845]

At the time of writing I think this heavily depends on which part of the world one is. There’s more opportunities in US (always have been), I live in Western Europe and I’ve been a qualified commercial pilot for about 10 years and I still struggle to find a decent flying job. I’m now in my mid 30s with around 800hrs total time, I’ve worked for a small airline briefly but lost the job not long after then Covid hit whilst interviewing for other jobs, I might be lucky to find something in future if the market returns to what it was in 2018 when they were hiring a lot over here. There’s also a lot of discrimination in the industry depending where you are, something to think about anyway. Anybody fortunate enough to be able to work in US has it good, aviation there is fantastic. All the best✈️

[@stephenav8]

I’m sorry about that. I pray things turn around soon so you can get back to what you love.

[@brinjal1371]

Have you thought about becoming a flight instructor and adding hours to your name while you continue your job search in airlines.

[@richarddastardly6845]

@@brinjal1371 - Yes I did think about it and did it for 5 years, it didn’t get me many hours though so now I’ve let my rating lapse because there’s no local instructing work…

[@brinjal1371]

@@richarddastardly6845 thanks for reply. Sorry to hear abt it. Have you thought about changing the location if the situation in Europe is so bad. How about middle East, Australia, New Zealand?

[@brinjal1371]

@@richarddastardly6845 let me know how I can connect with you?

[@user-oi1og6ug5r]

Hello thank you so much AM Edmond ofori and am from Ghana

[@stephenav8]

You are so welcome

[@user-oi1og6ug5r]

Can I have your number please

[@ucheokoyeinuluonum4296]

Please can you talk about taking loans for study as international students

[@stephenav8]

Sure. Thanks man

[@A.RDGZ93]

Great video! I'm 29 in December and I'm contemplating becoming a pilot for fedex since I live in memphis. But they require a 4 year college. I'd be 33 at the end of it. Also , how long does it take till one rises up seniority ranks?I lived next to an airport My entire life and thought how cool it would to be a pilot. I just think I waited to long. Or do you think I'd be okay?

[@stephenav8]

I honestly believe it’s not too late with the current demand for pilots. You will have a great career if you start as soon as possible. Yes FedEx requires a 4 year college degree but they actually took that down recently although it’s still part of the online application requirements so I think it’s not official yet. My advice will be to get started with your ratings and start getting experience as a pilot. FedEx isn’t the only company you can fly for but if you really want it then you will need to start with a degree program too. All the major airlines do not require a degree anymore so don’t give up on the dream! In addition there are people starting out at the age of 40 and 50. Mostly people that chose a different career and then came back to pursue their dreams so 29 isn’t late at all.

[@jonpaypompee3406]

Hi, I'm 38 and entering Aviation taking the pre technology course in Ontario, Canada. I hope to get my Commercial Pilots License

[@stephenav8]

@@jonpaypompee3406 I have friends from Canada that trained in the US and went back to Canada, did the conversion and they now fly over there. All the best!

[@jonpaypompee3406]

I've discovered that college degrees have been removed from having to be a pre requisite

[@stephenav8]

@@jonpaypompee3406 yes most airlines don’t require that anymore.

[@davideugeneopeku6688]

Hello Stephen, I got into the industry with an outstanding drive. Somehow, that drive has been supressed. How do I get it back?

[@stephenav8]

My recommendation is to seek what inspired you in the first place. Have you gone far in training?

[@shadowrealm8937]

Are you still working? You have glasses therefore you have vision issues, did you developed it after pilot school or it was not an issue during your school?

[@stephenav8]

I started wearing glasses while in flight school. That does not stop you from becoming a professional pilot.

[@pilotbsinthesky3443]

Good Video. I'm 49, I have my PPL with about 100 hours. No wife, No kids. I'd love to pursue an Airline position, but I've heard at my age I could be capped as a regional Captain in the future. Is this true? or still possible to make the majors in this 2022 hiring environment. What would you recommend to be the possible quickest path to Regionals? Thanks

[@stephenav8]

Nothing is impossible in the current aviation environment. You will definitely need to make the right moves though to get there asap.

[@webbsain5365]

I am 26 and currently a truck driver. I’ve been thinking about changing my career and becoming a commercial pilot. Not sure if the demand is real high?

[@stephenav8]

Hi, the demand for pilots is still high and will continue for a while. If you truly desire to pursue a career as a pilot, then you should.

[@govindersingh07]

Hi Stephen, I’m 36 years old and I’m a civil engineer I did masters in civil engineering. What you suggest at this age if I join flying school what will be the career opportunities I will have considering my age as a factor.

[@stephenav8]

You can go from zero experience to a regional pilot in about 3 years. After about 3 years at the regional, you can be at a major airline by the age of 42. That is still enough time to have a decent career before the mandatory retirement age of 65. All of these assumes you go full-time during training and do everything you have to do to get your ratings.

[@stevenstevenson3705]

Do you believe Ai will replace pilots in the near future?

[@stephenav8]

Yes I believe it.

[@arogbolahan9063]

I am an international student , And have a commercial pilot licence that needs to be renewed. I am presently in the Us military and would like to pursue my flight career. What options do I have . I have about 300 hrs flight time.

[@stephenav8]

I will suggest you go to a flight school close to you and speak with an admissions officer if you don’t fly for the military. The procedure to get current again is easy but you will need an instructor to work with.

[@jcheck6]

Will your military education benefits pay for any flight training? I was an AF pilot and used all of my benefits to obtain ATP and FE ratings.

[@lorenzosmith311]

I was a cop in Detroit for a year and had a lot of bad experiences, an now at this point in my life i no longer see my life as not worth living, I wanna fly went back to trucking cause I believe God will make a way.

[@stephenav8]

I am sorry about your experiences but we all can start over and channel a new path. Best of luck Lorenzo!

[@ayu7933]

I’m 35 years old working as ground service agent for horizon air and want to be a pilot and I’m from Ethiopia lived almost 7 years how possible after everything getting a jobs offer due to my age ?

[@stephenav8]

Your age should not stop you from pursuing a career as a pilot, there are jobs if you have the right qualifications. Focus on getting the qualifications

[@jennadeleon4017]

I want to be a pilot but I don't have the money for it. Our provincial student loans do not cover pilot schools. I am in nursing school which I hate but I plan to make money with nursing and then pay for pilot school :( I will be 28 when I'm done nursing school but it's on demand everywhere and they make a lot of money. It's just sad that I have to go through nursing school which I hate just to get to my dream of becoming a pilot.

[@stephenav8]

You have a good plan. Just keep working towards your goal and you will become a pilot before you know it.

[@user-yz4tb5wi2c]

I’m 28 years old I’ve been convicted of a felony when I was 18 and my dream was to become a pilot should I throw that dream away ? Any advice

[@stephenav8]

This is a good question but I also believe every airline could look at your application differently. I have heard different opinions on this but it boils down to what else you may have on your record. If it’s been clean ever since then it should not be a problem.

[@jemilagulston7742]

I am 40 any advice?

[@stephenav8]

My advice is you start as soon as you can. There is still a lot of years ahead to make it to any of the major airlines if that is what you want.

[@topofthegreen]

Over 50 forget it, the retirement age is 65, it takes years to get the experience to get a job.

[@stephenav8]

That is true but some people still make it happen.

[@mbekka1]

What years it takes 2 years . Max 3. To be a regional first officer. It’s never late. Now they gonna make retirement at 67. Because of the huge pilot shortage. And guess what watch it’s gonna be 70 😂😂😂

[@shreyashahluwalia4066]

Can get sponsor ship 100PERCENT

[@stephenav8]

They can but it depends on the airline.

[@shreyashahluwalia4066]

46 age people can become Pilot

[@stephenav8]

Yes they can.

[@mbekka1]

Never late man.

[@malitman]

I call B.S on the job demands for being a pilot

[@stephenav8]

I don’t understand what you mean.

[@mbekka1]

They will jump over you when u get your 1500 hrs they need u like crazy. No matter how old u are.

[@stephenav8]

You’re right. The opportunity is there for now.

[@mbekka1]

Mod 30s and 40s hahaha that’s still so young man 😂. I know people became doctors which is way harder in their 40s and 50s . Age never ever is a factor to achieve your dream especially in America 🇺🇸

[@stephenav8]

I like how you concluded by stating age is never a factor to achieve a dream.