Introduction

[RonaldM-NC-210]

Just my first post to say hello and such. My name is Ron and I am considering a career change. While at the ripe old age of 37 it may not be the best idea ever but I've always wanted to fly as a career. My only real flying experience other than as a passenger is in ultralights and some experience with hang gliders. I have always had a love of flying but never got around to doing anything about it for the usual reasons of family and career obligations. I have started a serious hard look and am researching if its possible for someone like me and will likely be pestering folks here with information

[Compass Mitch]

Originally Posted by RonaldM-NC-210

Just my first post to say hello and such. My name is Ron and I am considering a career change. While at the ripe old age of 37 it may not be the best idea ever but I've always wanted to fly as a career. My only real flying experience other than as a passenger is in ultralights and some experience with hang gliders. I have always had a love of flying but never got around to doing anything about it for the usual reasons of family and career obligations. I have started a serious hard look and am researching if its possible for someone like me and will likely be pestering folks here with information

Welcome to the forums! Thanks for posting. Like I've told many other people your age, 37 is not too late! You have 27 years until the mandatory retirement age of 65.

The first step you should take is to go out to a local airport near you in NC and take a discovery or intro flight from a flight school. That will get you started and give you an indication if you want to begin flight training.

Take advantage of all the info on these forums, hidden in each thread and post.

[RonaldM-NC-210]

I have been curious about the mandatory retirement age. Is this strictly from the airlines, or from all for hire piloting? Working as a CFI in retirement seems like a nice way to stay current while earning a little money doing something you enjoy.

[RonaldM-NC-210]

And also while I was sitting here I was wondering what would be some good things to study up on and have a knowledge base on before applying and attanding any flight instruction? I was looking over the forums and the ATP site and found alot of great info. But what I would love to hear are your suggestions as an experienced pilot and graduate of ATP yourself.


Also another item I would like to hear your opinion on is the value of completing my BS and how that would be an asset in flying. I see folks talking baout doing this while attending flight school but the details seem a bit vague, or perhaps I'm not reading it right . You input would be appreciated, thanks.

[TreverR-MT-1209]

Ron,

The mandatory retirement age is just from the airlines. You can still flight instruct or fly for other smaller operations when you are done as long as you can still pass your medical. That is the biggest concern... staying in good health through out your life will allow you to fly as long as you want. You fail a medical exam and your career is pretty much done. So kind of a gamble.

I know at the flight school I train at there are guys who are in their 70's who fly the firebombers who put out forest fires etc... so there are other opportunities out there.

As far as the knowledge goes on what you should know before you go to fly it really depends how serious you are. I recommend getting your ground school out of the way and passing your written test for your private pilot license before you start flying so you have a good knowledge base and you aren't stressed out while learning. You don't have to do it in this order but it has made my experience a lot more laid back where I can just focus on flying.

Completing your BS degree in any field is essential to become a commercial airline pilot. Most regional carriers and majors require a 4 year degree. Just think if you and another candidate are both applying for the same job and one has a 4 year degree and the other doesn't. Chances are the one who doesn't won't get the job. Airlines want to see dedication and the ability to accomplish something so I highly recommend getting one. Whether you want to finish all your training and then do your degree or vice versa any way will be better then not having a degree. I currently am flight training and going to school at the same time to try to be ready for when the airlines start hiring again.

Hope I answered some of your questions!

[RonaldM-NC-210]

Trevor


While I can appreciate your willingness to offer advice, to be frank I am interested in an experienced pilots opinions. I am a highly experienced professional driver as well as a licensed instructor for commercial driving. In addition I have a better than average knowledge of flying as I noted in my first post. I am interested in more specific thoughts from Mitch due to his training and experience. An opinion from someone higly experienced in this field will give me much more valuable insight and some thoughts on the approach I will use in undertaking this endevour.


Mitch

When you get back on here could you look back up at my posts and give your opinion on those subjects? I have been searching around rather vigorously and think I may have the beginings of a plan. I am weighing the pros and cons of doing 2 different ATP programs. Zero to commercial and PPL+85 to commercial. Your opinion on those would be greatly valued as well. The thought here is that obviously with zero to commercial you have a heavy immercement atmosphere and can combine knowledge bases for multiple test/subjects etc. But with doing the PPL+85 would allow me to start a tad slower. Is there a benefit to either? a major drawback to either?

Also, thinking about the BS and its value ... how does this apply from what you have experienced or observed at your current level? I notice that the majors will want that but it seems the regionals are fairly flexible on this subject. If this is true then it would seem more logical to go ahead and secure an opertunity with a regional and complete my BS at a more relaxed pace while building time and experience and a solid resume for the majors. You thoughts on that train of thought?

[Compass Mitch]

Originally Posted by RonaldM-NC-210

Trevor


While I can appreciate your willingness to offer advice, to be frank I am interested in an experienced pilots opinions. I am a highly experienced professional driver as well as a licensed instructor for commercial driving. In addition I have a better than average knowledge of flying as I noted in my first post. I am interested in more specific thoughts from Mitch due to his training and experience. An opinion from someone higly experienced in this field will give me much more valuable insight and some thoughts on the approach I will use in undertaking this endevour.


Mitch

When you get back on here could you look back up at my posts and give your opinion on those subjects? I have been searching around rather vigorously and think I may have the beginings of a plan. I am weighing the pros and cons of doing 2 different ATP programs. Zero to commercial and PPL+85 to commercial. Your opinion on those would be greatly valued as well. The thought here is that obviously with zero to commercial you have a heavy immercement atmosphere and can combine knowledge bases for multiple test/subjects etc. But with doing the PPL+85 would allow me to start a tad slower. Is there a benefit to either? a major drawback to either?

Also, thinking about the BS and its value ... how does this apply from what you have experienced or observed at your current level? I notice that the majors will want that but it seems the regionals are fairly flexible on this subject. If this is true then it would seem more logical to go ahead and secure an opertunity with a regional and complete my BS at a more relaxed pace while building time and experience and a solid resume for the majors. You thoughts on that train of thought?

Ronald, to be frank Trevor has certainly done his research and everything that he said is spot on.

As far as the value of a bachelor degree, I agree as well. A competent pilot is one who has proven him or herself through college completion and by meeting other goals. Passengers deserve one level of safety, so to say that a passenger on a regional "express" aircraft doesn't deserve a pilot with a college degree, but a passenger on a mainline aircraft does doesn't quite add up.

The stories about people getting on at the regionals without a degree exist, but they are also not the majority. The job market is competitive right now and the degree holders will go to the top of the stack of resumes.

As far as doing your private at ATP versus the 85 hour program, the biggest difference is that if you do your private locally you will be relearning ATP's procedures and way of flying when you join them at 85 hours, versus starting under the airline like environment at ATP from day one. Relearning can be negative learning. Know what I mean?

What other questions do you have? Don't be afraid to read the posts of other pilots on here, as aviation is all about information sharing... or crew resource management (CRM). We're all a team.

[TreverR-MT-1209]

Originally Posted by RonaldM-NC-210

Trevor


While I can appreciate your willingness to offer advice, to be frank I am interested in an experienced pilots opinions. I am a highly experienced professional driver as well as a licensed instructor for commercial driving. In addition I have a better than average knowledge of flying as I noted in my first post. I am interested in more specific thoughts from Mitch due to his training and experience. An opinion from someone higly experienced in this field will give me much more valuable insight and some thoughts on the approach I will use in undertaking this endevour.


Mitch

When you get back on here could you look back up at my posts and give your opinion on those subjects? I have been searching around rather vigorously and think I may have the beginings of a plan. I am weighing the pros and cons of doing 2 different ATP programs. Zero to commercial and PPL+85 to commercial. Your opinion on those would be greatly valued as well. The thought here is that obviously with zero to commercial you have a heavy immercement atmosphere and can combine knowledge bases for multiple test/subjects etc. But with doing the PPL+85 would allow me to start a tad slower. Is there a benefit to either? a major drawback to either?

Also, thinking about the BS and its value ... how does this apply from what you have experienced or observed at your current level? I notice that the majors will want that but it seems the regionals are fairly flexible on this subject. If this is true then it would seem more logical to go ahead and secure an opertunity with a regional and complete my BS at a more relaxed pace while building time and experience and a solid resume for the majors. You thoughts on that train of thought?

Ron,

Every pilot I know has taken a different route to get to where they are. There isn't really a right or wrong way to do it. I understand everyone wants to get opinions from professionals... as they are a great source of information, but don't forget there are tons of other people out there who really know their information. Good luck to you on your decision!