I had been aircrew in the Mil for a few years and always wanted to be a Mil pilot but it didn't work out. I did my PPL in 81/82 as well as my CPL subjects.
I did my SCPL subjects in 85 at Sydney Tafe and completed the practical for my CPL as well as a few ratings in 1985. I wanted to then follow the usual route of instructor, twin and IFR ratings and heading north to gain hours but as military officer I was earning about 4 times what I would earn doing the milk runs etc and was about to be promoted so was not really economical at that time.
Yes I could have proceeded as a civil pilot but realistically would have always earned less than what I was doing in the Mil - with the exception of maybe becoming an international pilot - a few of my mil pilot compatriots did that but most only got jobs overseas with only a few stayed in Australia - those that did came a cropper in the pilot's strike.
While there were always opportunities, to have the best chance of success in the airline industry my view was that you had to start as young as possible to have the best possible chance of success.
To the original question related to age, I flew with instructors of various ages - the young guys were Ok but with the older guys and CFIs I always had it in the back of my mind what I would do if they karked it - the guy I had before solo was quite old and I was learning in a Piper Tomahawk that could be spun - in the spin I was not so worried about the plane but whether the old instructor would survive.
My view is that for commercial operation the max age should be 60 with the appropriate medical clearance. For private work - maybe 70 and if fit over 70 but no passengers. I am now 66 and if I had been flying commercially I would have retired many years ago - no based on mental faculties but on medical grounds even though I would have passed medicals until recently.
Garry
REMLR 243
2007 Range Rover Sport TDV6
1977 FC 101
1976 Jaguar XJ12C
1973 Haflinger AP700
1971 Jaguar V12 E-Type Series 3 Roadster
1957 Series 1 88"
1957 Series 1 88" Station Wagon
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