Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

3 Answers

Becoming a Flight Instructor After Retirement

Asked by: 9553 views ,
Flight Instructor

Im going to be retiring in about 4 years at age 57. I am a private pilot and finishing up on my instrument rating. My plans are to get my commercial and CFI ratings. Is it realistic to go into instructing at that age? I love aviation and not a day goes by that I dont look into sky and wonder like when I was a little boy. But is it realistic?  Do you also have anhy advice?

Joe

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

3 Answers



  1. Wesley Beard on Dec 20, 2010

    It is absolutely realistic.  Some of the best instructors I have worked with are older gentlemen / ladies.  It is not so much that there are superior at the knowledge and proficiency of the airplane than younger pilots but they understand human nature better and can relate what they are teaching to life experiences to make the knowledge transfer better to their students.
     
    I admire your desire to become an instructor.  We need more instructors who want to be an instructor and not just see it as a stepping stone for a better job.

    +5 Votes Thumb up 5 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Brian on Dec 20, 2010

    +2 For Wesley. I would also add that anyone who is working out of pure enjoyment will almost always be a joy to work with.
     
    You’re looking at a career flight instructor Wesley. Though as of yet I’m uncertain if this is a scary or good thing. 😐

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  3. Matthew Hammer on Dec 24, 2010

    It’s completely realistic. I know some flight instructors in their 80’s. Some of the best pilots I know, as a matter of fact…
     
    My advice is simply “Go for it!”

    +1 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.