Too old for new career??

[wannabeone]

Please, I need some help deciding if a career change at 44 is realistic.

I worked for many years in GA and the airlines as an A&P, and I also have a commercial SEL and instrument rating with 400 hrs.

I was laid off from United in 2003 and since then I've been working in the oil refinery industry.

I want to get the necessary add-ons to be a heli CFII, and hopefully instruct and get enough hours for an entry level job in the industry.

My doubts are related to my age. I figure that being conservative I would probably be 47 or 48 yrs old by that time, does anyone know if that is TOO OLD?

Is there commercial pilot flying after 60?

It would take a small fortune to get the ratings, and I would like to know that age is not a factor.

At least work a few years and enjoy my new career.

Thank you in advance for any advise.

Edited January 10, 2006 by wannabeone

[HH60Pilot]

You are never too old to do what your heart tells you to do.

 

You have enough fixed-wing time to get a commercial add-on rating. What you are going to need to look at is what are you going to train in. If you get your ratings in an R22, you are going to need to get 200 hours of helicopter time to be able to train in an R22 per SFAR 73. If you train in another type of helicopter (300CB, Bell 47, etc) you are not bound by the SFAR 73 requirements as they pertain only to Robinson helicopters. What you will then be bound by is the insurance requirements of the potential employer. Keep in mind that while SFAR 73 only requires 200 hours of helicopter time to teach in an R22, most flight schools with Robinsons have Pathfinder insurance and Pathfinder requires 300 hours of helicopter time to teach in the R22.

 

Your question about commercial work after age 60 is a good one and I'll defer that to someone who might have a better answer than mine as I have no clue what is available.

 

Doug

[nbit]

wannabeone,

You aren't too old. I started at 46. I'm dual-rated, flying pistons, turboprops, jets, and helis. I fly fixed wing under FAR Part 135 and 91, and Part 91 helicopter. Also I am starting to instruct in helis. The 60 year cutoff is for Part 121, and I see many pilots over the age of 60 doing Part 91, 135, or instructing. There is an instructor that works where I got my commercial heli add-on that instructs during his retirement, and he is in his mid-60's.

I agree about following your heart, but do it quickly. Each day goes by quicker, the older you become!

 

Regards

[TaIk2Kevin]

Age is only a State of mind.