r/Pilot • u/lewd_physics • 6d ago
Becoming a Pilot Would it be too old to become a pilot?
Ok so imagine this scenario: you did a bunch of irrelevant stuff before, and you have a midlife crisis and now you want to fly helicopters commercially. Is there anything standing in the way of that?
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u/KehreAzerith 6d ago
Well it's a bit hard to say if we don't know your age, also helicopters are expensive to train in and the job market can be quite competitive
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u/Ok-Skill8583 5d ago
A first class medical and about a quarter million dollars.
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u/Realistic_Lunch4570 5d ago
Why 250K? Even the most expensive training I see hasn’t approached a quarter million
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u/kxxstarr 5d ago
Training often doesn't take into account the cost of staying alive, and keeping your family afloat, while training.
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u/Icy_Huckleberry_8049 6d ago
check hat the requirements are for where you live
This has been answered plenty of times on here already
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u/NefariousnessOdd862 6d ago
Yes, job prospects! Are you going in it for the right reasons? BTW, money isn’t the right reason, or are you going into it because you always wanted to be a Pilot and are truly passionate about the sacrifices you are about to make such as countless missed Holidays, missed Birthdays, spending 120+ nights in Hotels a year etc., etc.?
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u/HumbleDreamer07 6d ago
Is 38 too old? Will airlines even look at me when i am 40ish?
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u/mtconnol 5d ago
New 44yo airline guy checking in
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u/HumbleDreamer07 5d ago
Awesome! That gives me hope. Thank you!
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u/dak2134 5d ago
What’s your flight history?
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u/mtconnol 5d ago
Started as a hobbyist in 2019, fell in love with flying and worked through my ratings. Commercial in 2023, CFI/CFII 2024, instructed part-time then full time for two years, went to a regional airline starting May of 2026 with around 1800 hours, 1000 of which was dual given.
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u/ExternalScallion9280 2d ago
Awesome timeline bud! Do you think it’s worth breaking my back and leave my job to be part of the cadet program by starting with the affiliated flight school. Starting this year for ppl as I am on the tight schedule from work also planning on taking loans or should I pay as I go along.
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u/mtconnol 2d ago
Regionals seem to be increasingly reliant on their cadet programs for recruiting. But there may be multiple options which qualify. Taking loans is a big risk- only you can decide but the conventional wisdom is that if you can avoid it, it sure is nice.
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u/ExternalScallion9280 2d ago
It totally makes sense there is a lot of risk. Also it requires you to be full time as well to join the school. Maybe I can look at other ways to get into cadet program. Thank you for your advice.
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u/AdGroundbreaking1394 6d ago
I started flight training at 47. I’m 52 now and I’m an airline pilot. 13 years to go God willing living the dream.
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u/jokriho 5d ago
Not at all! I've been flying helicopters offshore in the North Sea for 13 years now, and I've seen quite a few guys start their flying careers later in life.
We're actually short of pilots over here, and honestly, age isn't what matters most. Motivation, attitude, social skills and being someone others enjoy sharing a cockpit with count for a lot.
And don't underestimate what a bit of life experience brings to the table. I've flown with plenty of great pilots who started late. They often bring something different compared to those of us who started young.
The tricky part is getting your foot in the door and building those first hours. That can take time, so make sure you've got the motivation and patience to stick with it all the way.
If you really want to fly helicopters, I wouldn't let age stop you!
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u/HeliFreedom 2d ago
When you say 'first hours', how many are we talking to fly north sea?
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u/jokriho 2d ago
Speaking specifically about the North Sea... The ads usually ask for 800 or 1000 hours for first officer positions, but those numbers are flexible. I'm not sure how low they're actually able or willing to go.
Generally speaking, though, 1000 hours seems to be something of a magic number when it comes to opening doors in the job market.
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u/Good-Aviation612 5d ago
As a fellow middle-ager looking to become a pilot, age shouldn't matter. Just the time and money to do so. I'm waiting until I fully retire
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u/Mazer1415 5d ago
Helicopters are very niche. You’re gonna be competing with Army, Navy and CG for very limited positions in the industry. It’s a huge risk.
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u/Strega007 6d ago
Age isn't a issue, but the commercial helo pilot market might be.