Hire Me! Careers for "Older" Pilots

VWGhiaBob

VWGhiaBob

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VWGhiaBob
OK, so I'm 60. But I'm nowhere near TBO...a darn good pilot who flies frequently and is approaching 600 hours, mostly complex. I'll put my piloting and mental skills up there with other good pilots.

For those of us "over the hill but don't count us out" types who can afford to take a low salary, are there ANY options? A few come to mind...

* Buy a nice plane and do sight-seeing tours (need IFR, commercial)

* Fly for an airline like Surfair, who has been willing to hire older pilots (http://www.surfair.com/); 800 hours minimum

* Be a CFI

What else? Will anyone else hire us...??? Regional jet? Charters? Corporate?

I'm prepared to hear "no" but thought I'd ask.
 
The regionals need 1,500 but as the other sources you mention get raided there should be lots of opportunities for those with less time.
 
VWGhiaBob said:
OK, so I'm 60. But I'm nowhere near TBO...a darn good pilot who flies frequently and is approaching 600 hours, mostly complex. I'll put my piloting and mental skills up there with other good pilots.

For those of us "over the hill but don't count us out" types who can afford to take a low salary, are there ANY options? A few come to mind...

* Buy a nice plane and do sight-seeing tours (need IFR, commercial)

* Fly for an airline like Surfair, who has been willing to hire older pilots (http://www.surfair.com/); 800 hours minimum

* Be a CFI

What else? Will anyone else hire us...??? Regional jet? Charters? Corporate?

I'm prepared to hear "no" but thought I'd ask.
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Glider towing. You can do that on a PPL.
Courier, if you can take the hours and tedium.
 
The scenic rides would be a good call, get your tailwheel and buy a stearman, I've seen a few folks make some fun money doing that.

Gilders or DZ ops are fun if you find the right place.

CFIing, especially freelance, is great if you are a teacher type.

Arieal photography is a option too.


As for regionals or most of the lower time 135 budget ops, I'd stay away, at you're age I don't think you'd want to be treated with the same respect as the mop in the closet.
 
We've got helicopter pilots in the company in their 60s & 70s. Part 135 ops care about hours & not age. Getting the 1,500-2,000 RW hours might be an issue for some though. Most start as a CFI and build time first.
 
Find a 135 operator,they can always use more pilots ,who aren't hung up on the salary.
 
luvflyin said:
Glider towing. You can do that on a PPL.
Courier, if you can take the hours and tedium.
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Excuse the dumb question...by courier, do you mean the folks who move planes from one area to another?
 
Instructing is a lot of fun. I really recommend it. Even though I probably want to do the airlines I am enjoying my time as an instructor.
 
with those hours pipeline patrol and banner towing come to mind.
 
FlightSafety has an interesting deal. They'll pay for your CFII in exchange for a commitment to work for them as a flight instructor for two years. I was kind of interested but I'm 62 and I don't want to commit two years of my life when there are some other things I would rather do with those two years
 
alfadog said:
FlightSafety has an interesting deal. They'll pay for your CFII in exchange for a commitment to work for them as a flight instructor for two years. I was kind of interested but I'm 62 and I don't want to commit two years of my life when there are some other things I would rather do with those two years
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Do you really want to be working for other people at 62?
 
James331 said:
Do you really want to be working for other people at 62?
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Why not, if it is a job I like and one that aligns with my goals. I am not looking to be an entrepreneur and not looking to ”not work”, either. I am retired and financially secure otherwise. I don't need to work but I would prefer to have a job that I enjoy doing.
 
James331 said:
What do you mean by that?
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Because generally a 121 Capt makes more than a 135 Capt / PIC. However, there are plenty of 135 pilots that make more than 121 regional Capts. Just depends on what company you work for.
 
alfadog said:
Why not, if it is a job I like and one that aligns with my goals. I am not looking to be an entrepreneur and not looking to ”not work”, either. I am retired and financially secure otherwise. I don't need to work but I would prefer to have a job that I enjoy doing.
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Ok, if it works for you that's all that matters, just seems like doing scenics in a Stearman at $200-300 a head would be more of a retirement kinda job.



RotorAndWing said:
135 tends to be the low end of the pay spectrum.
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:lol:

Yeah I'll tell all the pt91 guys and regional drones that.

I forget anyone who doesn't aspire to do what R&W does must be misguided :lol:
 
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If single pilot IFR in an old Navajo flying freight is something you're into, my company has hired quite a few older pilots recently. Though, you will need at least 1200 hours in order to qualify.

If you're looking for a fun part time job, maybe try to find a DZ looking for a weekend guy or get your CFI and teach. Both opportunities would be available to you immediately (once you have he required certificates and ratings) with the amount of time you have.
 
The OP already said, "For those of us "over the hill but don't count us out" types who can afford to take a low salary, are there ANY options? A few come to mind..."

So I don't think debate about pay is particularly relevant.
 
Everskyward said:
The OP already said, "For those of us "over the hill but don't count us out" types who can afford to take a low salary, are there ANY options? A few come to mind..."

So I don't think debate about pay is particularly relevant.
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It's hugely relevant, it dictates the types and atmosphere you're going to be working around.
 
Dick Karl didn't care about pay. It was about fulfilling a dream of flying corporate. I enjoy reading his articles. Personally I've traveled too much in my life and have no desire for the lay over life style. It works for him and that's all that matters.
 
James331 said:
Yeah I'll tell all the pt91 guys and regional drones that.
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135 pay has always been in the bottom of the spectrum of aviation, that's not hard to dispute. Compare what a 135 operator pays a pilot against an average Part 91 operator. I believe Business and Commercial Aviation (or is it Professional Pilot?) magazine does an annual salary comparison.


James331 said:
I forget anyone who doesn't aspire to do what R&W does must be misguided :lol:
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Actually you are the one that takes such a hard line against anyone that won't follow your path. Just read your quote above, you call regional pilots "drones", yet we have regional guys here that are perfectly happy with their jobs and pay.
 
LDJones said:
A lot of people do. I plan to be....as long as they'll have me!
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There's a lot of freedom to be gained and a lot of stress list when you don't have to work for the bills anymore and advancement means staying in the Fun job.

A lot of my co-workers found their best work when they reached the point in their life where KMA became an easy option.
 
RotorAndWing said:
Actually you are the one that takes such a hard line against anyone that won't follow your path. Just read your quote above, you call regional pilots "drones", yet we have regional guys here that are perfectly happy with their jobs and pay.
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Like so much in life, it's what you make it. I've had multiple careers over the last four decades and can honestly say I enjoyed every one. But criss-crossing half the U.S. in a regional jet puts a smile on my face every flight. I'm working with some amazingly fine people, get great support from my company and am enjoying exploring new places. Heck, I may have to write a book!

I suspect the OP would have a ball doing the same. He could quickly build the time and ratings to do it.
 
VWGhiaBob said:
Excuse the dumb question...by courier, do you mean the folks who move planes from one area to another?
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No. Thats ferry flights. By courier I meant the companies that have contracts with the Post Office, FEDEX etc to get stuff from the Rural areas to the hubs. They used to fly cancelled checks to clearing house banks at night. They get big city newspapers out to the sticks. Stuff like that. Ameriflight is a big one that seems to be all over the United States.
 
What's it take to be a DPE? Those guys seem to make pretty good money relative to time involved.
 
Mistake Not... said:
What's it take to be a DPE? Those guys seem to make pretty good money relative to time involved.
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Think it's like 1k dual given, average 300hrs a year, a some other stuff, plus a place where they need a other DPE.

I was going to try to go for it, just with my current gig I'm not hitting the 300 a year.


Totally would be a good retirement type arrangement though.
 
Mistake Not... said:
What's it take to be a DPE? Those guys seem to make pretty good money relative to time involved.
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DPE's fall under 14 CFR Part 183. A DPE must:

meet the qualification requirements of the General Aviation Airman Designee Handbook, Order 8900.2, and who:
  • is technically qualified;
  • holds all pertinent category, class, and type ratings for each aircraft related to their designation;
  • meets requirements of 14 CFR part 61, §§ 61.56, 61.57, and 61.58, as appropriate;
  • is current and qualified to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) of each aircraft for which they are authorized;
  • maintains at least a third-class medical certificate, if required; and,
  • maintains a current flight instructor certificate, if required.
If one meets the requirements, they must attend a course in Oklahoma City at the MMAC. Then they must take the DPE written exam (min passing score 80%), then be placed in the national registry.


If the FSDO has a need, the registry will provide a list of the best qualified to be interviewed. The applicant will interview at the FSDO, and if selected they will take a oral and checkride with an Inspector, then be designated.


DPE's attend annual training and get annual observations with Inspectors.
 
luvflyin said:
No. Thats ferry flights. By courier I meant the companies that have contracts with the Post Office, FEDEX etc to get stuff from the Rural areas to the hubs. They used to fly cancelled checks to clearing house banks at night. They get big city newspapers out to the sticks. Stuff like that. Ameriflight is a big one that seems to be all over the United States.
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Most of those are single pilot IFR 135 jobs and require 1200hrs (by law, a lot more to get insured). Electronic check delivery has caused this courier market to contract, we have a local outfit that used to run 6-10 Mu2s and he is down to 2.

The lab companies like Quest transport their own samples and operate flights under part 91. They are not tied to the 1200hr rule and may be self-insured. There can be some opportunities to get in with less hours.

Another oddball job is flying doses of radiopharmaceuticals from a commercial hotlab to the independent testing facilities that use them for things like heart perfusion and cancer tests. 'Time is money' as the substance decays over a couple of hours.

All of those happen at night, a time when most retirees like to nap.
 
weilke said:
...

All of those happen at night, a time when most retirees like to nap.
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True dat. I worked 3rd shift at P&W Research as a young man, not much interested in messing up my circadian cycle these days.
 
weilke said:
Most of those are single pilot IFR 135 jobs and require 1200hrs (by law, a lot more to get insured). Electronic check delivery has caused this courier market to contract, we have a local outfit that used to run 6-10 Mu2s and he is down to 2.

The lab companies like Quest transport their own samples and operate flights under part 91. They are not tied to the 1200hr rule and may be self-insured. There can be some opportunities to get in with less hours.

Another oddball job is flying doses of radiopharmaceuticals from a commercial hotlab to the independent testing facilities that use them for things like heart perfusion and cancer tests. 'Time is money' as the substance decays over a couple of hours.

All of those happen at night, a time when most retirees like to nap.
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Not all freight happens at night. If you're with a UPS feeder like I am, you generally leave the hub in the morning,layover at the out station, then return to the hub in the evening. Same goes for most FedEx feeders.
 
If it was me, I would be looking for a tourist location on an island with plenty of young, cute, female bartenders serving rum-based drinks every afternoon.

Fly tourists around in the morning, try not to poke my eyes out with little paper umbrellas and pineapple spears in the afternoon.

At that age, the lifestyle would be as important as the flying.
 
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