How old is too old

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Originally Posted by Barraman

The question that was asked is, "How old is too old - to learn to fly"!

Not, "How old is too old - to become current again"?

or, "How old is too old - to keep flying"!

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The answer is “you’re never too old”.
If you’re older, you need to have a clear understanding that will most likely take proportionally longer to learn, with the associated higher cost.
Tests are all to the same standard, with no concession to age.

I’ve trained many older people from scratch. It requires dedication on both parts, and the instructor needs to be able to think outside the box with lesson delivery. Your 150 hour experienced rote-learned instructor will most likely have some difficulty in that area, as they can barely fly themselves.

From an outside point of view.........

Age doesn't matter............ if you're medically ok.

If you've learnt how to learn, and understand what that means, the sky should be the limit.

DL

Hugh/John, what are you up to these days with VA, I hope you are getting your share of the available work.

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Originally Posted by Barraman

The question that was asked is, "How old is too old - to learn to fly"!

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I'd say my current age plus a year or three... [bigsmile]

Learned to fly / earned the piece of plastic 5 years ago at age 62 fulfilling a childhood dream.
OK, I cheated a bit on the Medical, evaded it actually by going Light Sports Aircraft instead of GA. [bigwhistle] Cheaper, and the quality of my LSA Instructors as good as any Commercial one IMHO.

I'd say a potential student is too old if he/she has lost the urge to do "more" than the required. With the benefit of hindsight, when the Flying School put us into the aerobatic toy, we were sneakily being assessed on flying enthusiasm and 'Airmanship' ... not simply giving a taste of genteel aeros...

- Short wings make for awesome spins ! [smilebigeye][biggrin][bigsad][biggrin][smilebigeye]

And I still want to master the Inverted Spin, - then transition between the two.

Reminds me of an incident early in my flying career. I was flying at around 10,000ft in the Auster J5F I had recently bought, looking for an airstrip near Westgrove (Q). Having spotted the airstrip, I needed to lose a lot of altitude, and decided that it was a good opportunity to see how it spins. Checked for loose objects and other traffic, and proceeded to spin down to 3,000ft. Unfortunately, the lid on the tin of Koolmints (for the uninformed, marble-like mints) jammed between the front seats came off. I was still finding them when I sold the plane a couple of years later!

Hi 4Bee, Thanks for the thoughts.
I'm on stand-down without pay until October, but still have a 'job'. I've been given a couple of days flying in the past couple of weeks just to keep current for 45/90 days. However, my cyclic proficiency check (simulator) expires tomorrow, so I can't fly until I do that one.
When Melbourne was locked down recently that took out the Melbourne simulator. Now that Kweensland decided to lockout Sydney people, that looks like it will prevent Sydney-based crew from using the Brisbane simulator.
Regardless of that, a lot of guys have fallen out of currency (for whatever reason) in both VA and QF, and there is such a huge backlog in the simulators that we are entering uncharted territory with getting everyone back to flying status...

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Originally Posted by Hugh Jars

Hi 4Bee, Thanks for the thoughts.
I'm on stand-down without pay until October, but still have a 'job'. I've been given a couple of days flying in the past couple of weeks just to keep current for 45/90 days. However, my cyclic proficiency check (simulator) expires tomorrow, so I can't fly until I do that one.
When Melbourne was locked down recently that took out the Melbourne simulator. Now that Kweensland decided to lockout Sydney people, that looks like it will prevent Sydney-based crew from using the Brisbane simulator.
Regardless of that, a lot of guys have fallen out of currency (for whatever reason) in both VA and QF, and there is such a huge backlog in the simulators that we are entering uncharted territory with getting everyone back to flying status...

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Thank you. I'm pleased there may be some hope on the horizon for you, artificial or otherwise. Was discussing this with 'er indoors last night saying how many Air Crew like yourself will probably need to go through the mill again to get endorsed. What a job, eh?

Maybe they could convert some of the now apparently un-needed Ventilators to Simulators & train Nurses to examine you Guys & Girls?[bigrolf]


Anyway keep your spirits up John, I wish I knew someone who could pull strings for you, but I'm sorry, I don't. [bigsad]

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Originally Posted by superquag

I'd say my current age plus a year or three... [bigsmile]

Learned to fly / earned the piece of plastic 5 years ago at age 62 fulfilling a childhood dream.
OK, I cheated a bit on the Medical, evaded it actually by going Light Sports Aircraft instead of GA. [bigwhistle] Cheaper, and the quality of my LSA Instructors as good as any Commercial one IMHO.

I'd say a potential student is too old if he/she has lost the urge to do "more" than the required. With the benefit of hindsight, when the Flying School put us into the aerobatic toy, we were sneakily being assessed on flying enthusiasm and 'Airmanship' ... not simply giving a taste of genteel aeros...

- Short wings make for awesome spins ! [smilebigeye][biggrin][bigsad][biggrin][smilebigeye]

And I still want to master the Inverted Spin, - then transition between the two.

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And I still want to master the Inverted Spin,

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Be careful what you wish for SQ.[smilebigeye]

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Short wings make for awesome spins !

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......... and no wings will take you straight down, well you might spin a little until it goes BUMP & then it is ****ing curtins.

Thanks 4Bee,
well, I received a call from my Training Manager yesterday to tell me I've been given a CASA extension till September [biggrin] Not that I expect much work, but at least I can work if they find anything for me.
I will miss my sim due today, and I'll have to do an additional training day in the box, and do the next sim after that. Assuming we can get access to the Brisbane and Melbourne simulators....

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Originally Posted by Hugh Jars

Thanks 4Bee,
well, I received a call from my Training Manager yesterday to tell me I've been given a CASA extension till September [biggrin] Not that I expect much work, but at least I can work if they find anything for me.
I will miss my sim due today, and I'll have to do an additional training day in the box, and do the next sim after that. Assuming we can get access to the Brisbane and Melbourne simulators....

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So some good news at last for you? :TakeABow: My best wishes.


Even Freight would be better than a kick in the undercarriage I suppose but it is work. September is a good month usually as it it is also my Birthday Month & nooooooo, I'm not travelling OS, Oddly enough.[bigrolf]

Let's see if your good fortune happens on that day?:twobeers: