At 50, should I become a new pilot?

Paul,

Not only yes, but HELL YES! In one instance, I took a coworker flying who was interested in flying... But I couldn't convince him to take lessons. He said "Well, I'm 50 now, and..." I told him, "In 10 years you're going to be 60, and you're either going to be a pilot, or you're not." No time like the present.

In addition, in your case, you have two things going for you: You're an engineer, and you operate machinery (boat, motorcycle, etc). Those two things will not only help with the training (you're likely to understand aerodynamics, aircraft systems, etc. quite easily) but will also make you a better pilot because they will have honed your hand-eye coordination and your penchant for thinking through things and learning about them. That last thing is something all pilots should have.

I would echo what Lance said as well. However, I'll point out that you're not likely to find many instructors who will explain things technically to the level you'll probably want. However, you have an excellent resource here in PoA - If your instructor can't answer your question (or at least not to your satisfaction), bring it here. We have an awful lot of collective knowledge for you to draw upon.

Good luck, and have fun!
 
fgcason said:
And if you look a bit closer, you'll notice that a lot of those same people are the ones that go "ooh, that would be fun to be able to do that since my neighbors friend does it, ok start, wait, what do you mean it takes effort, just take shortcuts and ooh those lights are pretty colors, oh I was learning to fly, that's right, too much effort, very difficult, oh well, back to the sofa."

Ok, so that's a bit extreme, though sometimes very realistic, however you get the point.

Most things are often NOT age dependent up to a point. It's mostly mental. If your brain works and you can put the effort into a project for more than 3 minutes at a time, go for it.
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I sure do get the point, and agree. Thank you.
 
psachseJr said:
I sure do get the point, and agree. Thank you.
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So when you're taking time away from the boats and motorcycles, either sit on the sofa or go to the airport and go fly airplanes as long as you are the motivating factor.

And anyone who tells you that "you can't do ____," well, just remember that in reality it's THEY who can't do whatever it is they're saying you can't do.


Damned the icebergs and full speed ahead..because you're in the tropics in the middle of the day, not deep winter in the North Atlantic at night.
 
We have a member of our glider club who started at 80. Certificate at 82.
 
I started at 54, now flying at 59.
Ride your scooter to the airport, fly your plane to your cottage ,drive your boat around the lake.
Remember he who die's with the most toys ---WIN'S.

I love my boat and fishing.
I love my Motorcycles and ATV's
But I will be most dissappointed when the Doc says I'll have to stop flying.
At 50 you could fly for the next 20-30 years.
 
50 is old? Ohmygod! Nonononono. 90 is old. 100 is old. 50? Pfhhht.

(Took my first lesson at 46, PP-ASEL at 47, bought an airplane at 55, now this close to being instrument rated...)
 
azure said:
50 is old? Ohmygod! Nonononono. 90 is old. 100 is old. 50? Pfhhht.
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At one of the town gatherings when I was a 17 year old kid in upstate NY one of the original 99's and one of the earliest licensed women pilots was there visiting relatives. She was in her late 80's or 90's. She said you're only as old as you let yourself be and that you should learn three new things every day. There was nothing slow or decrepit about her either -- she was all there and then some. I got the distinct impression that if I had got into a debate with her, she would cleaned my clock before I realized what was going on.

Respect your elders.
 
I'm doing it, a tad younger at 36. Not giving up my boat though, love sailing too much :)

I'll probably be smiling like this while flying too, life's too short, do all you can while you can
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psachseJr said:
Hello all,

This is my first post on the forum.

I am 50 years old and am strongly considering pursuing my certificate. I am a lifetime boater and motorcyclist, which is part of the reason I am writing today.

You see, my observation as a motorcyclist and particularly a boater is that many people who take on these challenges later in life never really become good at them. Having grown up on boats and still having one today, and having raced motorcycles and still having one today, I can't even begin to understand the benefits that my experience has brought to me. But, what I do know is that I am pretty good at both, and can answer just about any question asked me on either topic.

Let me tell you about me. Then I will finally ask my question. I am a former engineer (the boss now) and when I do something I tend to dive in deep. I typically read a great deal, and usually know any boat or motorcycle in depth. I would expect to approach flying in the same way. The risk of flying gives me some pause, but I like the fact that my behavior and training and skill (practice) can positively influence that. I make mistakes like anyone does, but never for lack of preparation. I will worry a bit, but never panic. My health is good and my eyesight is very good (but need reading glasses). Blood pressure is very good, etc. I have wanted to learn to fly since I was 16.

Now my question: Is it a bad idea to take this on at age 50? Sure, I have flown several times and have a few hours of instruction. But I can't help wondering if this is one of those things one shouldn't start late in life.

I look forward to your honest responses,

Paul
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That is an accurate and astute observation, but it does leave out one major factor, how do you go about it... When you are young and go after something, you go "all out", you take it seriously and and spend all your time, money and effort at it. When you are older, most people typically don't have that luxury as there are other matters in life that you have to deal with. There is also the issue of mental acuity, brains age, we lose brain cells every day and don't grow new ones. When we are young there are open neural pathways available, as we get older we need to start "re-writing" new pathways over old information. You already are in motion based activities, so you have a "leg up" in the learning process over many others.

My suggestion to you is that if you want to do it, go take a vacation somewhere where you can just fly your ass off every day for a month.

I have a lot of fun flying with JoJo Sheble at Sheble Aviation, he's got a bunch of different planes and gliders you can even do your sea plane ratings there. If you've got the money, he's got the machines to have a butt load of fun in, and he's a good instructor as well as a Designated Examiner, and so is his dad. Just get away from everything else and live/breath flying for a few weeks. You can even do your training in a Lake amphib and get both you Single Engine Land and Seaplane ratings. If you find you take to it well and have some extra money you can also get Multi Engine Land and Seaplane ratings done. The multi seaplane is as much fun as you can have with your pants on.
 
azure said:
50 is old? Ohmygod! Nonononono. 90 is old. 100 is old. 50? Pfhhht.

(Took my first lesson at 46, PP-ASEL at 47, bought an airplane at 55, now this close to being instrument rated...)
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You're actually reinforcing his point....
 
Nah, you're an old man at 50. Might as well just give up, trade in the scooter for a Crown Vic which you will only drive on occasion to go to the barbershop. You can spend the rest of your time watching crap on TV, take Viagra to get the occasional nookie, foreswear alcohol, tobacco, salt and trans fats and chase kids off your lawn.



The above is written entirely in jest, just to let those know who are somewhat refractory to my own particular brand of quirky humor.
 
Do it, I'm doing it at 36. I'm not giving up my boat though, I love sailing too much. You only live once, may as well do everything you can
 
Competition with the young would be an issue if we were actually competing for something, such as airline jobs. Then you have to ask, can you elbow out those whippersnappers and "how good you can be at this". It's not how it works or how it's supposed to work. You are only in this to derive some enjoyment from it. In fact, I suspect motorcycles are no different. Ask yourself if you are you some kind of Valentino Rossi? If not, might as well go flying.
 
Paul the answer is hell yes! Really there is not much else I can say. Many of us here have taken up flying in their 30s 40s 50s and 60s. For many we can't afford it till we get older. Maturity is often as important as energy and ability.
 
I'm a student pilot at 50. I also wanted to learn my whole life, but as others have mentioned, I always had something pulling either my attention or money away from flying. With the kids out of the house (most of the time) and my career fairly stabilized, I finally have the time and most of the money to devote to what I want to do.

My reasoning at this point in life is that we like to travel, and we have some friends we like to see occasionally that are each about 4 hours in different directions by car. Flying will allow us to spend a weekend with them every once in awhile without having to spend 8 hours of it in a car.
 
YES YES YES!!!

I started January 2009, at 55, got my ticket September 2009, at 56, I have 350 hours and going for my Instrument Rating checkride as soon as it stops snowing. Find an instructor who has experience, and whatever you do, don't get hung up on how may hours it takes you to get through the various checks and hurdles in the training. Think about how you did things at age 20 and how things have changed for you at age 50...an instructor who understands that is important to your success. It's an awesome experience!!
 
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I agree with iasciiart and some of the others. Go for it. Being an engineer will help because you understand, or strive to understand, why things work a certain way. I too am an engineer and enduranced raced motorcycles for a few years. I believe that helped with developing stick & rudder skills. Also, aviation may be a good activity for you if you're the type of person who gets bored with something once you "figure it out". I don't see that happening with being a pilot because you never stop learning.
 
As Warren Miller always said about skiing, "Do it this year. If you don't, you'll just be another year older when you do."
 
steingar said:
Nah, you're an old man at 50. Might as well just give up, trade in the scooter for a Crown Vic which you will only drive on occasion to go to the barbershop. You can spend the rest of your time watching crap on TV, take Viagra to get the occasional nookie, foreswear alcohol, tobacco, salt and trans fats and chase kids off your lawn.



The above is written entirely in jest, just to let those know who are somewhat refractory to my own particular brand of quirky humor.
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I thought it was pretty funny.
 
Thanks for all the answers, even the sarcastic (really, ironic I guess) ones. You have helped me realize that I'm not so old.... not compared to a lot of you anyway! :)
 
psachseJr said:
Thanks for all the answers, even the sarcastic (really, ironic I guess) ones. You have helped me realize that I'm not so old.... not compared to a lot of you anyway! :)
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Uh oh... Now you have done ticked off all of us old timers...:ihih::ihih:.

You will need to get your license now to make a quick getaway .. If we catch ya you have to buy the first round...:cheerswine:

Ben
www.haaspowerair.com
 
It's very exciting to see how active this forum is, and the great sense of humor that exists here. I'm going to jump in with both feet. Now, I have to decide if I want to purchase a plane going in, or not. My reasons for doing so would be that I want to fly a lot so I can become very good at it, and it seems that pretty solid used planes can be had for the price of a very nice car (or Ford F250). I'm sure you all have advice in that areas as well.

Paul
 
Yeah. Never a better time to buy an airplane. Don't forget that airplanes need insurance, an annual inspection, lots of maintenance (most are older than yours truly), someplace to live, and lots of avgas. Budget accordingly.
 
Buying is a good idea if you can afford it. Steingar gave a pretty good list of things to consider besides the initial price. If you are renting, there are apt to be 2 variables hindering your search for perfection: rotating CFIs; rotating aircraft. Buying your own reduces that problem by half.

In addition, flying your own plane and paying all the repair bills has a good effect on your concentration when landing.
 
AuntPeggy said:
In addition, flying your own plane and paying all the repair bills has a good effect on your concentration when landing.
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An absolute truth.

Myself, I think it is better to achieve the landing basics in a flight school rental, then buy your own.

I love having my own plane, it is always there when I want it. It never smells like stale puke when I open the door. I know exactly how it has been maintained. I know it's quirks. But I'm glad I waited until after I learned to land (I'm blind in one eye, I was horrible at it) before I purchased.

John
 
psachseJr said:
It's very exciting to see how active this forum is, and the great sense of humor that exists here. I'm going to jump in with both feet. Now, I have to decide if I want to purchase a plane going in, or not. My reasons for doing so would be that I want to fly a lot so I can become very good at it, and it seems that pretty solid used planes can be had for the price of a very nice car (or Ford F250). I'm sure you all have advice in that areas as well.

Paul
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Equity is a wonderful thing..:wink2::D:cool2:
 
I had an old friend who was a retired ATP. He was in his nineties when I asked him what the best years of his life were. He explained to me that he wasn't done yet, but to answer my question, he said that his sixties were by far the best years of his life.

I had thought he was going to say thirties, I had a great time in my thirties, but now that I'm almost at the end of my sixties, I have decided he was right, sixties are great years. They are even greater if you have a pilots license.

John
 
psachseJr said:
It's very exciting to see how active this forum is, and the great sense of humor that exists here. I'm going to jump in with both feet. Now, I have to decide if I want to purchase a plane going in, or not. My reasons for doing so would be that I want to fly a lot so I can become very good at it, and it seems that pretty solid used planes can be had for the price of a very nice car (or Ford F250). I'm sure you all have advice in that areas as well.

Paul
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You obviously have the desire... if you are also comfortable with the cost (which is always more than you think) go for it!! Purchase prices are reasonable, depending on what you want. There isn't anything like it in the world!!

Gary
 
steingar said:
Yeah. Never a better time to buy an airplane. Don't forget that airplanes need insurance, an annual inspection, lots of maintenance (most are older than yours truly), someplace to live, and lots of avgas. Budget accordingly.
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Great deals out there on Gulfstream IIIs.


My first plane was a Beech 95 Travel Air, bought it with 60hrs total time, great honest airplane, it's a twin, but it would serve well as a primary trainer. If you want a single engine plane, you can get a Bonanza either a real one, a 35 with a V tail or a training tail 33.:cornut:

Seriously though, you have to figure out what you want the plane to do for you, define the mission. Weight (how much you want to carry) Range (how far do you want to go) Conditions (Day Visual only or also Night & Instrument and/or over Hostile Terrain) are the big factors to consider. Speed is another, although the lower the range of your mission, the less difference it makes. These factors will narrow it down to a few planes, now stand there and look at them, which one makes you smile and your willy stir when you see it? That's the one you buy. You wouldn't marry a girl that didn't make your willy wonky, and a plane is nearly as expensive.

My advice is always to buy the plane you see for your long term mission first and not go the "step up" plane route. Trading up airplanes is always an expensive proposition, and with the market where it is now, it's not likely that the deals will be considerably better down the line. Insurance is always the point people harp on for low time pilots in complex and light twins, but it is a 1 year/100hour hit (that you will still get when you "step up", sometimes even worse if you have several hundred hours in "simple" aircraft because you now have ingrained habits which don't include "gear down") then you'll be at 1.5% of hull value. Also if you do all your training and check ride in it, that will be a "good thing" in the insurance companies eyes.
 
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Henning said:
My advice is always to buy the plane you see for your long term mission first and not go the "step up" plane route. Trading up airplanes is always an expensive proposition, and with the market where it is now, it's not likely that the deals will be considerably better down the line. Insurance is always the point people harp on for low time pilots in complex and light twins, but it is a 1 year/100hour hit (that you will still get when you "step up", sometimes even worse if you have several hundred hours in "simple" aircraft because you now have ingrained habits which don't include "gear down") then you'll be at 1.5% of hull value. Also if you do all your training and check ride in it, that will be a "good thing" in the insurance companies eyes.
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Good advice - I also wouldn't buy right away before your first lesson. You have no idea what you like in an airplane yet! Go fly a 172, a 182, an Archer, a DA40, a Bonanza, a Comanche, a Mooney, etc. before you make your decision. As with buying any airplane, you should define your mission first, and buy the plane that fits the mission. However, generally there's more than one plane that fits the mission, so trying them out and seeing which one you like best is important too.
 
psachseJr said:
...having raced motorcycles and still having one today...

Is it a bad idea to take this on at age 50?
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To directly answer your question, no, of course not.

But as someone who has also road-raced motorcycles (and is also and engineer), I think you and I may see the world through the same visor and I don't think your age is really the issue to examine.

Flying is not as viscerally exciting as racing. It's more cerebrally challenging, every bit as all-consuming, more expensive, and even more demanding of focus and concentration, but the approach to risk is (and has to be) completely opposite.

With racing, if you don't low-side or at least have to pick up the front end with your knee every once in a while you're not pushing hard enough. Sometimes in trying to hold someone off or catch up you stay off the brakes so long that the countersteer and lean into the apex is as much Hail Mary as it is precision maneuver.

To race successfully is to flirt with the edge of risk and occasionally, intentionally, step over that line into territory beyond your skill level. Sometimes it works and your skill level increases, sometimes it doesn't and hopefully it's just a low-side. :)

Flying couldn't be more different. To fly successfully is to stay as far away from the edge of risk as possible, constantly learning and practicing and training to keep the delta between your position and that precipice as large as you can make it.

The pilot's focus (or at least my focus) on managing risk borders on the obsessive. Weather, avionics systems, navigation methods, these things are so crucial to flight that sometimes the actual flying part, that thing you do with the controls is secondary.

So...all of that to say absolutely, 100%, if you have the money and inclination, go for it. You'll have religious experiences just like you will on the track, but your expectations will have to be diametrically opposed.
 
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ChrisRikli said:
To directly answer your question, no, of course not.

But as someone who has also road-raced motorcycles (and is also and engineer), I think you and I may see the world through the same visor and I don't think your age is really the issue to examine.

Flying is not as viscerally exciting as racing. It's more cerebrally challenging, every bit as all-consuming, more expensive, and even more demanding of focus and concentration, but the approach to risk is (and has to be) completely opposite.

With racing, if you don't low-side or at least have to pick up the front end with your knee every once in a while you're not pushing hard enough. Sometimes in trying to hold someone off or catch up you stay off the brakes so long that the countersteer and lean into the apex is as much Hail Mary as it is precision maneuver.

To race successfully is to flirt with the edge of risk and occasionally, intentionally, step over that line into territory beyond your skill level. Sometimes it works and your skill level increases, sometimes it doesn't and hopefully it's just a low-side. :)

Flying couldn't be more different. To fly successfully is to stay as far away from the edge of risk as possible, constantly learning and practicing and training to keep the delta between your position and that precipice as large as you can make it.

The pilot's focus (or at least my focus) on managing risk borders on the obsessive. Weather, avionics systems, navigation methods, these things are so crucial to flight that sometimes the actual flying part, that thing you do with the controls is secondary.

So...all of that to say absolutely, 100%, if you have the money and inclination, go for it. You'll have religious experiences just like you will on the track, but your expectations will have to be diametrically opposed.
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Very good explaination sir......

As a former racer of MX, hydros, karts, cars and dirt track stuff I can vouch for the need to 'push the envelope' . In my case I get to do both, that is maintain a small level of comfort and safety and explore the "other side'. That involves flying my homebuilt experimental with a NASCAR V-8 stuffed up front.... Yee haa..... You only live once and I am trying to get my moneys worth.:thumbsup::D:fcross:

Ben.
www.haaspowerair.com
 
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