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:
Returning to flying at age 61 after a long hiatus is encouraged if it brings joy and is done safely, as age is not a barrier.
Find an experienced flight instructor and expect substantial dual instruction—approximately one hour for each year you've been away—to regain skills and knowledge to check-ride standards.
While your previous logged hours do not expire, both muscle memory and knowledge recall will need refreshing, so be patient with yourself during retraining.
For solo flight, you will need to obtain either a Third-class medical certificate or pursue BasicMed.
Question: I quit flying under my private license over 30 years ago. I had about 100-plus hours. I am 61 now. Is it smart to retrain to start flying again at this age?
Answer: Life is too short not to do something that brings you joy. If flying brings you joy, go out and do it. As long as you are safe about it, your age shouldn’t matter.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
![As long as the learner can pass a third-class medical exam, there is no maximum age limit for flight training. [Shutterstock]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_81975922-scaled-e1701817528623.jpg)
