Expert: David A. NewMyer - 12/4/2003

Question
I am 31 years old.  I currently make a comfortable living as Emergency/Trauma and Critical Care Registered Nurse.  I've been a nurse now for about 7 years.  However, I've been considering a career change.  My all time love is aviation.  I obtained my private pilot's license in 1991 while in college.  Due to financial and time constraints, I've not flown since that time.  I've recently been considering changing careers and going back to aviation but I am unfamiliar with the job market for nontraditional student pilots (I'm not 21 anymore).  How employable will I be if I'm working on getting ratings and building hours at the age of 35 and competing with pilots coming out of the military at 30?  Also, I'm curious about the careers available.  I'm not sure I would necessarily be interested in the airlines.  I may be more interested in flying fixed wing medical transport.  What else is potentially available?  Is it realistic for me to think I could pursue a career as a pilot aside from the financial aspect?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi, Jason:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist with your questions.

First of all, to address the BIG question first:  Age is and should not be a factor.  Actually, your health and your ability to hold the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration Medical Certificate for the flying job that you wish to do is the big issue.  As long as you can hold that medical, then, you should be fine.  Also, remember that (and, I know you said that airlines are not your goal) airline pilots have a mandatory age 60 retirement age (in order to act as a Pilot in Command, or PIC, of an airline aircraft, you must not have reached your 60th birthday).  So, even for the airlines, you still have 29 years left to finish up your ratings, get the appropriate experience and begin your career!

Also, your concerns about the military pilot competition were very true in 1991-1992 due to the huge downsizing of the military right after the first Gulf War.  But, in fact, the military is much smaller today and, as a result, is far less of a factor in the hiring process for civilian pilots at all levels.  Yes, still a factor, but, not a dominant one.  Instead, the emphasis is on hiring civilian-trained pilots....yes, employers will take military trained pilots if they can get them, but, it is less likely today that they can get what they need from the military.

The job market for non-traditional pilots would be the same as for any other pilot:  Employers are looking for certain qualifications.  If you have them, then, you are IN for the interview:

1.  The appropriate ratings and certificates from the FAA

2.  The appropriate experience, such as:

Normally 300 hours+ and your CFI(A) to become a beginning flight instructor

500 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) flight time minimum for most beginning fly-for-hire jobs such as flying cargo, flying checks, pipeline inspection, banner towing and the like (# of hours dictated by aviation insurance companies)

750 to 1500 hours PIC to get an interview as a regional alrline pilot with 150 to 300 hours Multi Engine PIC

1500 to 3500 hours PIC to get an interview with a smaller corporate flight dept, charter pilot flying for a company with turbine/jet equipment, or for a fractional ownership company

2500 to 4000 hours PIC and 500 to 1000 of that in turbine or jet equipment (again, as a captain) to get on with a large corporate flight dept or a major airline.

3.  A BS or BA degree...that makes you even more competitive.

Again, the issue is qualifications, not age.  

As far as medical transport, I do not know the entry flight requirements.  I am sure that your nursing background would be helpful in seeking such a job but I am sure there is a way to network and find out about such jobs.

Bottom line is that I believe it is important for you to investigate aviation NOW since you have this feeling that it is your "all time love."  That is a pretty strong statement and I would hate to have you regret not acting on this IN A REALISTIC WAY now rather than waiting and regretting that you did not ten years from now.  The financial aspects of pursuing aviation are crucial, so, check out the following:

www.AvScholars.com for ideas on financing flight training.

Also, contact the University Aviation Association at uaa@auburn.edu or at 334-844-2434 to ask about their Collegiate Aviation Scholarship listting.   Even if you do not go to college for aviation, there are some funding options in this booklet and the cost is very reasonable.

Best wishes to you.  Also, if you have a follow-up question, please ask again.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu