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:
Restarting flying at 61 after 30 years is encouraged if it brings joy, provided safety is maintained, as age is not a significant barrier.
Pilots should work with an experienced flight instructor, expecting roughly one hour of dual instruction for each year away from flying to regain skills and knowledge to check-ride standards.
While prior logged hours don't expire, a third-class medical certificate or BasicMed is required for solo flight, or one can simply fly with a CFI.
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)
