Age Is Just a Number When It Comes to Flight Training

With some caveats, there really is no such thing as being ‘too old’ to be a pilot.

Tuesday, December 05, 2023 at 06:08 PM ET

Verified

As long as the learner can pass a third-class medical exam, there is no maximum age limit for flight training. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

There is no maximum age for private pilots, requiring only the passing of a third-class medical exam, though airline pilots face a mandatory retirement age of 65.
Many individuals over 40 are pursuing aviation as a second career but often encounter age bias at some flight schools, which may prioritize younger, airline-track students.
Second-career pilots need to re-learn or update their knowledge on current aviation regulations and certification processes, demonstrating significant dedication to achieve their goals.

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“Am I too old to be a private pilot?”

Flight instructors hear this question often. The answer is, as long as you can pass the third-class medical exam, it is doable. There is no maximum age limit for private pilots. However, there is one for airline pilots. The mandatory retirement age for airline pilots as of December 4 is 65. It doesn’t matter if you can still hold a Class 1 medical certificate, you are still healthy enough to hike the Pacific Coast Trail every other year, or you are frequently mistaken for the sibling of your 40-something-year-old child, age 65 is the cutoff.