About David A. NewMyer Expertise Can advise people thinking about beginning and aviation career and espcially those thinking about an aviation university program. Can also help with aviation scholarship questions. I am particularly strong in questions related to starting a flight career, choosing a university flight or aviation management program, aviation internships and aviation scholarships. Also, I can assist with questions about airport management and planning careers and oveall aviation industry employment questions.
Experience
Past/Present Clients Prepared In addition to aviation education, I work at a major university, I have worked as an airport planner preparing airport system plans, airport master plan and environmental assessment reports for the Chicago area in general and for several
individual Illinois airports.
My name is Cliff and I am 30 years old with a BA degree and I am employed in the automotive field. I have a good job in Tennessee but am seriously considering making a career change. I have always had an interest in flying but never really had the money to do so. Now I have the money but do not have the time. My wife is about to finish nursing school this year and this will open up a number of doors for us (flexibility, money, mobility, etc.).
My questions is it too late? Can I start from scratch to a career flying airplanes at my age? Is there any advantage to getting my privates license before attending a large flight school? Can you list a few flight schools to check out?
Thanks for your help,
Cliff
Answer Hi, Cliff:
Thanks for your question (s), I will try to help!
First of all, it is almost never too late to pursue your dreams. If your dream is to fly for a career, it is definitely worth checking into!
Second, practically speaking, you can now fly as an airline pilot in the USA until age 65 (assuming that your health remains good!). Remember, you will have to pass an annual physical once you get into the airline business and, if you bust such a physical, you will not be able to fly until you fix whatever problem that they found.....
Third, it is a GREAT idea to get your Private Pilot's License first before taking any larger steps. The idea here would be to keep your automotive job, if possible, while you pursue the Private Pilot's License. That way, if you find that you do not like the aviation field as much as you thought you would, you have not lost anything by following up on your dream. If it turns out that you DO like it enough to go on, you have continued to earn money while you pursue your PPL...that way, you will have more cash on hand to pay for further flight training (and, it can be expensive!).
Fourth, as far as the larger flight schools to check out, I am assuming you mean those flight schools that advertise packages and placement (the latter is particularly important: go to a flight school with a good track record in placing its graduates!). The larger flight schools that have been around a while that are good to check out are:
Flight Safety Academy
Delta Connection Academy
Southeastern Flight Academy
ATP Flight School
American Flyers
Pan Am International Flight Academy
When checking them out, look at costs, the type of aircraft that they fly, ask them about how they maintain their aircraft (and about aircraft availability), placement, location(s) that they offer....also, check out the weather for each location to figure out where the best place to go with the least disruption would be....
All the best to you in your possible pursuit of aviation as a career!
David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale http://www.aviation.siu.edu
