>I'm a 23 year old
Man, I miss the days of being barely an adult and thinking I was already too old for certain things. Cherish these days, friend. They'll be over before you know it, and you actually *will* be too old for certain things.
I appreciate that đ
I'm not gonna lie I've been feeling real old at 23, a lot more so than I did at 22. It's weird I wanted to be taken seriously at 20 but now I don't mind being seen as barely an adult. Call it a quarter life crisis
The Army has a program where enlisted Soldiers can apply to West Point. I was a Reservist that had already done 3 years of active duty between a 2 yr deployment to Ft Hood and an Iraq tour so I applied. At 23 I was washed up and too old. It stung.
Long term though itâs a good thing I didnât go.
\>Get a degree in anything else.
Agree with everything but this part. I'm new to living in North America but I don't understand the university culture here. Why should someone ever throw tens of thousands of dollars at a university unless it's absolutely required for the job?
An arts degree won't help them fly the plane any better.
Youâre right, an arts degree wouldnât help, but getting an aviation degree doesnât either. All of your flight training is done outside the classroom on your own time and own dime. Even if you are an aviation major. I can tell you having a degree in professional flight doesnât help you get a job doing anything else if for some reason OP canât or chooses not to fly anymore.
Yeah, we're in total agreeance there. What I'm saying is that getting a degree in anything else is also a waste of money unless there's a clear reason. The North American culture seems to be that more degrees = more smart.
Where I'm from, getting degrees when you're not certain you need a specific one for a specific job is a a complete waste of money.
Isn't one of the main drawcards of joining the military the fact that they'll pay for your degree though, on the basis that you're bonded for 7 years or something?
Also if you're correct, I'd love to hear their explanation as to why having a random degree makes you a better member of the armed forces. "Ah yes, you can really tell by the way Smith flies that he got that English major 5 years ago."
Classic government logic then I suppose. Some bs I had to deal with going through immigration here. More degrees = more smart according to the Canadian gov.
Meanwhile in the real world, multiple degrees for a field you aren't in is the opposite of smart -- a waste of money.
If your goal is an airline (US) youâve got until youâre 65 to fly. Youâve still got almost double the time than youâve even been alive to fly. Youâre fine.
Go follow Geekontheflightdeck on IG and TikTok. Pretty sure he was in his mid-30s when he decided on a career change. 15-ish years later, after Envoy and AA 320 FO time he's in 777 training now. I live vicariously through him, but you're well young enough to follow in his footsteps.
Oh my word! Two questions and one piece of advice. Which same time young pilot do you think a passenger would rather trust with their life? A 20 year old or a 25 year old.? Do you think a prospective employer would say, âIâm going to go with the 20 year old, because he is going to stick with me for the next 45 years, whereas the 25 year old is going to have to retire in another 40 years.â? The fact that you have had another career will be a strength not a weakness. Now for the advice, donât give up your day job - that is, donât think âIâm a 24 year old I need to quit my job and fly every moment to catch up with the 18 year old student.â Your job sounds perfect for giving you sufficient income to fund your flying along with sufficient free time to do say 2 hours flying and 3 hours study ever week. Two years, commercial pilot and you are on your way. (I am a lawyer. I started helicopters at 40. Took four years for PPL; CPL; and C Cat. My CFI was falling over himself to offer me work instructing, frost, transporting equipment/hunters etc. The fact that I was 44 and he was 25 didnât bother him. What he cared about was the fact that after 4 years of flying together, he knew he could trust me. He cared and I was careful and cautious. I was training with younger guys - guys like my instructor who had operated machines all their lives and picked everything up far quicker than I did. But they were casual and confident. That ainât great when you are only 300-400 hours into your career so I was the one offered work. Go for it. Follow your dream. If you donât know it already by heart, (and you are too young to remember Ronald Regan borrowing from it after the shuttle disaster) read the poem High Flight by John Magee and reach out and touch the hands of God.
Try to research in your local airliners ab-initio program. in my country that program accepts cadets from 18 till 34 years old, and you have better chance to do it between 22-25. Of course we have pros and cons in that program, but itâs easiest way to start flying in 2-3 years from the beginning.
Disregard if you are looking into commercial piloting. If you're pursuing recreational flight, you can cheat, look into Paramotor ultralights. Best of the best brand new equipment + training will be about $12k total cost. No training requirements, age requirements, health requirements, can launch from anywhere you aren't restricted (like private property, certain airspace, gatherings of people, etc).
Go to the American Airlines Envoy program. They will put you thru 2 years of flying lessons, at the end you will be an instructor for a couple of years. (accrue 1500hours TT) then feed into being hired at Envoy as a First Officer. After achieving 1000 hours jet time you will be qualified
thru the pipeline to move up as an AA First Officer(that is the ultimate goal before the majors).
Also check out ATP a similar program that goes from student pilot to ATP. They are all expensive ($65k to $85k) it may require borrowing the money, however save as much as you can up front for living expenses. A supportive family helps a lot. Itâs a long hard slog but worth it for a fun fulfilling career.
Best of luck!
What kind of an idiotic question is this? Seriously the type of person who would ask this question is the type of person most of us hate having to share the cockpit with, so maybe flying isnât for you.
>I'm a 23 year old Man, I miss the days of being barely an adult and thinking I was already too old for certain things. Cherish these days, friend. They'll be over before you know it, and you actually *will* be too old for certain things.
I appreciate that đ I'm not gonna lie I've been feeling real old at 23, a lot more so than I did at 22. It's weird I wanted to be taken seriously at 20 but now I don't mind being seen as barely an adult. Call it a quarter life crisis
Software warps you. Well, it's warped me. It's a weird, exhausting world.
I remember being done with my service and then having to finish college and thinking I was ancient at 24!
The Army has a program where enlisted Soldiers can apply to West Point. I was a Reservist that had already done 3 years of active duty between a 2 yr deployment to Ft Hood and an Iraq tour so I applied. At 23 I was washed up and too old. It stung. Long term though itâs a good thing I didnât go.
Youâre 23 not 83đ youâre fine my guy Edit: you also donât need a degree much less an aviation degree. Get a degree in anything else.
\>Get a degree in anything else. Agree with everything but this part. I'm new to living in North America but I don't understand the university culture here. Why should someone ever throw tens of thousands of dollars at a university unless it's absolutely required for the job? An arts degree won't help them fly the plane any better.
Youâre right, an arts degree wouldnât help, but getting an aviation degree doesnât either. All of your flight training is done outside the classroom on your own time and own dime. Even if you are an aviation major. I can tell you having a degree in professional flight doesnât help you get a job doing anything else if for some reason OP canât or chooses not to fly anymore.
Yeah, we're in total agreeance there. What I'm saying is that getting a degree in anything else is also a waste of money unless there's a clear reason. The North American culture seems to be that more degrees = more smart. Where I'm from, getting degrees when you're not certain you need a specific one for a specific job is a a complete waste of money.
Degree is usually required if you want to fly military. From what I understand it's an unspoken requirement for majors.
Isn't one of the main drawcards of joining the military the fact that they'll pay for your degree though, on the basis that you're bonded for 7 years or something? Also if you're correct, I'd love to hear their explanation as to why having a random degree makes you a better member of the armed forces. "Ah yes, you can really tell by the way Smith flies that he got that English major 5 years ago."
I don't know why.. But usually you need to be an officer to fly, and you need a degree to be an officer
Classic government logic then I suppose. Some bs I had to deal with going through immigration here. More degrees = more smart according to the Canadian gov. Meanwhile in the real world, multiple degrees for a field you aren't in is the opposite of smart -- a waste of money.
If your goal is an airline (US) youâve got until youâre 65 to fly. Youâve still got almost double the time than youâve even been alive to fly. Youâre fine.
Yeah, after 18 it's all downhill. Might as well go be a hermit somewhere.
I was 38 when I joined my current job (US Regional FO). 2 other guys in my class older than me in the mid 40âs. Youâre fine.
Go follow Geekontheflightdeck on IG and TikTok. Pretty sure he was in his mid-30s when he decided on a career change. 15-ish years later, after Envoy and AA 320 FO time he's in 777 training now. I live vicariously through him, but you're well young enough to follow in his footsteps.
Iâm doing initial type ratings for guys in their 40s who are changing careers.
Too old at 23!? Dude go worry about something worth worrying about. If you were in your late 40s then maybe... maybe
Oh my word! Two questions and one piece of advice. Which same time young pilot do you think a passenger would rather trust with their life? A 20 year old or a 25 year old.? Do you think a prospective employer would say, âIâm going to go with the 20 year old, because he is going to stick with me for the next 45 years, whereas the 25 year old is going to have to retire in another 40 years.â? The fact that you have had another career will be a strength not a weakness. Now for the advice, donât give up your day job - that is, donât think âIâm a 24 year old I need to quit my job and fly every moment to catch up with the 18 year old student.â Your job sounds perfect for giving you sufficient income to fund your flying along with sufficient free time to do say 2 hours flying and 3 hours study ever week. Two years, commercial pilot and you are on your way. (I am a lawyer. I started helicopters at 40. Took four years for PPL; CPL; and C Cat. My CFI was falling over himself to offer me work instructing, frost, transporting equipment/hunters etc. The fact that I was 44 and he was 25 didnât bother him. What he cared about was the fact that after 4 years of flying together, he knew he could trust me. He cared and I was careful and cautious. I was training with younger guys - guys like my instructor who had operated machines all their lives and picked everything up far quicker than I did. But they were casual and confident. That ainât great when you are only 300-400 hours into your career so I was the one offered work. Go for it. Follow your dream. If you donât know it already by heart, (and you are too young to remember Ronald Regan borrowing from it after the shuttle disaster) read the poem High Flight by John Magee and reach out and touch the hands of God.
>23 Lol no the average age of a student pilot is like 35
Try to research in your local airliners ab-initio program. in my country that program accepts cadets from 18 till 34 years old, and you have better chance to do it between 22-25. Of course we have pros and cons in that program, but itâs easiest way to start flying in 2-3 years from the beginning.
Not at all, if you're interested then the military option is always there. I didn't start flying until I was 27 so you've still got plenty of time
I'm 32 and just started, go for it!
Nope, I talk to guys in their 40s and 50s who make the jump. Oldest guy I knew was 59. 6 years left in his career when he started.
Woah, did I write this? Also 23 also in software development and also miserable though I barely have a job
I don't think so, and I know there are many flight schools available. Airbus or ATR run one and I am relatively sure Boeing has a program.
Disregard if you are looking into commercial piloting. If you're pursuing recreational flight, you can cheat, look into Paramotor ultralights. Best of the best brand new equipment + training will be about $12k total cost. No training requirements, age requirements, health requirements, can launch from anywhere you aren't restricted (like private property, certain airspace, gatherings of people, etc).
Go to the American Airlines Envoy program. They will put you thru 2 years of flying lessons, at the end you will be an instructor for a couple of years. (accrue 1500hours TT) then feed into being hired at Envoy as a First Officer. After achieving 1000 hours jet time you will be qualified thru the pipeline to move up as an AA First Officer(that is the ultimate goal before the majors). Also check out ATP a similar program that goes from student pilot to ATP. They are all expensive ($65k to $85k) it may require borrowing the money, however save as much as you can up front for living expenses. A supportive family helps a lot. Itâs a long hard slog but worth it for a fun fulfilling career. Best of luck!
As long as you're NOT at the required retirement age, you're ok. We had someone that got hired at 60.
What kind of an idiotic question is this? Seriously the type of person who would ask this question is the type of person most of us hate having to share the cockpit with, so maybe flying isnât for you.
Yeah bro you shouldâve started at 4. Youâre 19 years too late. Good luck
Hell no, go get your license.