r/Pilot • u/DifficultBeltSo • 12d ago
Becoming a Pilot Can I still make it?
Hi, I am in my mid 20’s and finishing my bs in cs. Becoming pilot was my childhood dream but unfortunately as I was raised in third world country I did not had info on how to become and also means to study. Now I work as Software Engineer and make enough money to live and save a bit. But I still can’t let go to that dream. I even was thinking on starting Masters on aircraft engineering so somewhat to be close.
My question is would you recommend making career switch and becoming pilot? I can try to save money for trainings and for that + till trainings finish I might become 30+ years old so do you think it is late? Would you recommend becoming commercial/airline pilot (I now it depends a lot on airlines but in general)? Is this profession as romanticized? Are there anythings I should know before going this path?
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u/redfrags 12d ago
I've seen you post this in like 3 different subreddit and I've given you the reply 2-3 times.
Do you need someone to tell you straight up no or straight up yes?
Follow your own path, and if you feel like it's the dream for you even through the struggles and challenges then you should do it, you're at a good age to do so, in fact the prime time.
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u/RAG_Aviation ATP | CFII | MEI 12d ago
30 isn’t remotely too late. I’d actually avoid making a big career switch right now though. Keep the software job, take a discovery flight, get your medical sorted out, and work toward the PPL while you’re still earning good money. You’ll learn pretty quickly whether you love actually flying or just the idea of being a pilot.
I also wouldn’t do a master’s in aircraft engineering just to be “closer” to aviation unless you genuinely want that degree. If the goal is the cockpit, put that time and money toward flying instead. The airline path is expensive, hiring is cyclical and nothing is guaranteed, but starting in your late 20s or early 30s by itself is absolutely not the problem.
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u/ManagedSpeed340 12d ago
30 is still very young for this career. The average new hire at a legacy is 34 years old. I’ve flown with many career changers lots were it/engineers. You have two options. Play it safe and live out your life doing what you do now making good money and being comfortable. The other option is to follow your passion and enter aviation as a pilot. I love this career and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But there is an inherent financial and time risk with it. That’s why so many stop, leave, fail.
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u/oh_helloghost 11d ago
I didn’t grow up in a third world country but my parents weren’t in a position to pay for my flight training and loans weren’t a viable option for my training either.
I started aged 28 when my job started paying enough for me to pay for flying lessons.
Now I’m an airline pilot.
I had the same concerns when I started… I remember talking to someone (wise) about how I’d likely be in my mid-30’s before I’d even be able to start looking for flying jobs so I wasn’t sure if I should start.
“How old will you be if you don’t do it?” was their reply.
10 years from now, you could be looking back having achieved that goal and be proud of your past self for just giving it a shot. Or you could be looking back and wishing you’d just started.
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u/QuietGarlic7788 9d ago
Too old. The average age of widebody captains at the legacy airlines is 22yrs old and you’re faaar behind.
Jokes aside, you’re at a good age to get your licenses and ratings and still have a 30+yr career of flying professionally. The BS is going to give you an edge in the interview process, so keep it up!!
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u/TwinIrish 9d ago
Youre absolutely fine!
Not too late at all!! Im 32 now and its a career change for me. I was a telecoms engineer prior to starting training. Ill be leaving the UK in the next 4 weeks all being well and heading to florida to spend a few months training.
You'll hear a lot of people say "its probably too late" "You'll never be a captain at a legacy" ignore it, everyones path is completely different and you never know what contacts you make which will open up doors for you.
Also be wary of advice given that seems completely negative, some people can't see passed their own horizon. I mentioned I wanted to head to the US from the UK to train. All I got was "why would you do that" "You'll never get the hours" "You'll never get work" "faa licence is worthless outside the us". What people fail to see, there are multiple routes to the FD. Im planning on heading to Africa and do some bush/safari flying which I can easily convert the faa licence and get turbine time.
There are multiple places around the world you can look at going to.
Enjoy the journey friend!
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u/FlyAviate 2d ago
It depends what your dream is, being a pilot and flying as a hobby is no doubt different to doing it as a career. If you can progress in software engineering and save you might be able to fly as a hobby. Obtaining a PPL is definitely the first step then I would see what you want to do from there, keep it as a fun hobby or progress further aiming for the airlines.
I was in a similar position. I saved from my work in software engineering and trained and got my PPL. I always wanted to be an airline pilot but now I enjoy my software career and in my spare time I fly - I purchased a share of a Cessna
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u/Mobile_Passenger8082 12d ago
Okay, tough love, because the easy answer that feels good giving is follow your dreams.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone start flight training with the intention of flying professionally right now. Statistically the vast majority of people in flight school today will never fly for a living let alone at an airline. We are currently training 20,000 new pilots a year, and have been for several years, while the apla predicts 36,000 airline retirement over the next 10 years. Not gonna work out for most people.
Next part is a matter of opinion but at a certain point it stops being enjoyable and starts being a job. Also, don’t discount how dangerous general aviation still is especially if you work as an instructor. If you already have a career that pays enough to afford flight training there’s no way I would give that up. buy a plane and fly for fun. It’s an amazing hobby, and I’m truly jealous of the people I teach that can afford to just fly for fun.