62 year old beginner... Is it too late?

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mdo53

Filing Flight Plan
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Dwaine
Just purchased Shorty's Learn to Fly course to get me started while gathering info for the upcoming medical exam. I figured at my age I should start this way and get past the med exam before starting the actual flying lessons. I think I'm in decent shape other than having to take a small amount of Crestor and Metformin. I'm confident I can drop 20 more pounds by Sept when I go for my annual physical. My Dr. says she will take me off the Metformin by Sept but I will remain on Crestor. (I'm at 5.9 A1C) How tough is this medical exam? Am I too old for this? My plan is to schedule my med exam in October and get it out of the way before starting the flight training in Nov. Is this a good path?
 
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Welcome to the forum,your never to old,you can always go light sport,without a medical.
 
Dwaine, I didn't start my helo training until after I turned 60. Now I'm 62 with a PPL and 130 hours. Class III isn't a big deal. I had to bring my reading glasses and they're listed on my certificate as a 'must have' in the cockpit. For me, the biggest challenge is coming up with the coin to feed the addiction!
 
I'd invest a little money (around $50) and join the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA). With a simple phone call or a view of their website, you can find out if the meds you are taking are "allowed" by the FAA, "allowed" with various test or totally "disqualifying." I can't comment on the specific meds you are taking as I'm not a doc or a member of the AOPA medical staff. I think, if I remember correctly, that even if you are off some of the meds, you are still going to have to report visiting the doc for the past 3 years and purpose of each visit has to be stated. That said, if you have the right paperwork from your doc when you go to the AME and your remaining med(s) are not disqualifying, you should likely get your medical certificate. However, I still recommend that you call the experts at AOPA as all I am providing is limited and perhaps useless information.

NOW, on to the more important question -- "am I too old for this." In the famous words of Wilbur Wright, "f no." Come on, you're only 62 -- go for it. You are as young as you feel. Your excitement and confidence levels should be high right now. Ask your flight school to give you an hour introductory flight and to let you fly most of the flight. What difference does age make if you are in love with aviation? Remember all those stories about grandmas and grandpas getting their college degrees at age 95 or whatever? You can do this. Shoot, I'm 61 and am trying to get my Airline Transport Pilot license (single-engine, which is a separate matter) just so I can refine my skills and have an aviation goal in my retirement. My cousin is 71 and he's thinking about buying a Mooney. So, no, you're not too old. (That said, all I know about you is your age and some medical stuff -- I'm assuming you are mentally and physically healthy in other aspects, etc.)

Good luck in your flying endeavors. Remember, join AOPA, get a introductory lesson, and report back on this forum re: your adventures.
 
I found the list of allowed and mine show up on the approved on a "case by case" basis... that is encouraging. Will do the introductory flight real soon...
 
Don't give up. Start the flight instruction and try to get it done as quickly as possible, and then quicker. The longer between lessons the more time and frustration you will have. Never ever give up.

Good luck.
 
The only advice I'd offer is to get the medical early on...you have that covered in your plan...

Do NOT go to an AME unless you KNOW you can pass...because if you are denied, Sport Pilot is out...

Welcome to POA and hope to hear more about your training!

Edit...I thought of something else...take the written test after you have trained a bit...it will be much clearer to you at that point.
 
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I started flying lessons at the age of 41 and wasn't terribly far away from my PPL checkride before life caught up with me. THEN at the age of 62, I bought my plane and started again. I had my checkride while still at the age of 62.

I posted the whole story on this forum at the time, during 2011. I thought I was one of the really old people to get my PPL, until I met a fellow at the airport that did it at the age of 78.

You need to post in the Medical Topics forum here with your medical situation. There are some top notch flight surgeons that selflessly help with questions such as yours. They can tell you if you will have any problems with the medical.

Good luck, don't worry about your age and keep us posted with your progress.
 
AlanM said:
I'd invest a little money (around $50) and join the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA).
Click to expand...

Even better - AOPA offers a free 6-month membership for students.

--

Never too old - you get a chance to disprove the saying,"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." It's a great chance to exercise your brain.
 
Many people learn to fly late in life. Each case is different. Only you can answer it. Get a complete physical and go from there.
 
Yup, too late. Just sit back, sedate yourself on the tube and enjoy the life of metamucil and viagra.
 
My oldest student was 85. I had many students in their 60s. Oddly, I can't recll any in their 70s.

Bob Gardner
 
From a 61 year old Type II...

Go for it! I took 41 years off, so it was almost like starting fresh 2 years ago. Since then, I bought a plane and logged 300 hours. Now working on my IFR.

Regarding diabetes, DO NOT fill out the FAA MedExpress form. Contact Dr. Bruce Chien (http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com/) or AOPA. You can most likely get a Special Issuance Class III. If you fill out the form wrong before talking to someone, you could be in for tons of paperwork.

Go for it!
 
Welcome and no, it is never too late as long as your health is fine. Class 3 is piece of cake if you can hear, see and no major illness.
 
mdo53 said:
Just purchased Shorty's Learn to Fly course to get me started while gathering info for the upcoming medical exam. I figured at my age I should start this way and get past the med exam before starting the actual flying lessons. I think I'm in decent shape other than having to take a small amount of Crestor and Metformin. I'm confident I can drop 20 more pounds by Sept when I go for my annual physical. My Dr. says she will take me off the Metformin by Sept but I will remain on Crestor. (I'm at 5.9 A1C) How tough is this medical exam? Am I too old for this? My plan is to schedule my med exam in October and get it out of the way before starting the flight training in Nov. Is this a good path?[/QUOTE

My recommendation to you , get a Sport Pilot license first, and if you want to proceed then go for PP.

Cheers
Click to expand...
 
Blueangel said:
Welcome and no, it is never too late as long as your health is fine. Class 3 is piece of cake if you can hear, see and no major illness.
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Diabetes. Funny you should mention cake !

Cheers
 
Dwaine, welcome to the forums and I say "go for it", you have nothing to lose. Age does not matter, it at least makes you more cautious and paying attention.
 
No way too late. A buddy got his at 65, bought a Long EZ and put over a thousand hours on it in a few years! Just turned 80 and still flying.
 
mdo53 said:
Just purchased Shorty's Learn to Fly course to get me started while gathering info for the upcoming medical exam. I figured at my age I should start this way and get past the med exam before starting the actual flying lessons. I think I'm in decent shape other than having to take a small amount of Crestor and Metformin. I'm confident I can drop 20 more pounds by Sept when I go for my annual physical. My Dr. says she will take me off the Metformin by Sept but I will remain on Crestor. (I'm at 5.9 A1C) How tough is this medical exam? Am I too old for this? My plan is to schedule my med exam in October and get it out of the way before starting the flight training in Nov. Is this a good path?
Click to expand...

You'll be off Metformin, with a A1C of 5.9, you are good to go. You are allowed 6.5 before you are denied.
 
frfly172 said:
Welcome to the forum,your never to old,you can always go light sport,without a medical.
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Why did you say that? he can pass the 3rd class with his numbers as they are.

What a wet blanket !
 
mdo53 said:
Just purchased Shorty's Learn to Fly course to get me started while gathering info for the upcoming medical exam. I figured at my age I should start this way and get past the med exam before starting the actual flying lessons. I think I'm in decent shape other than having to take a small amount of Crestor and Metformin. I'm confident I can drop 20 more pounds by Sept when I go for my annual physical. My Dr. says she will take me off the Metformin by Sept but I will remain on Crestor. (I'm at 5.9 A1C) How tough is this medical exam? Am I too old for this? My plan is to schedule my med exam in October and get it out of the way before starting the flight training in Nov. Is this a good path?
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Whether or not you think you can, or or you think you can't, you are right. Your plan sounds right.
Go for it.
 
ralarcon said:
My recommendation to you , get a Sport Pilot license first,

Cheers
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Why ? he is good to go PPL with a 3rd class. His numbers are better than mine. My last 3rd class was referred to OKC and issued from there with out a special issuance. I'm good to go the whole 2 years, on Metformin.

He won't even be classed as a Diabetic with a A1C of 5.9.

Issued directly from the AME's desk.
 
Thank you all for the valuable information and encouragement.
 
My CFI told me younger catch on quick, older tend to take more hours, YMMV. I started after I retired...go for it.
 
frfly172 said:
Welcome to the forum,your never to old,you can always go light sport,without a medical.
Click to expand...

which is exactly what I did at the same age...62. I had started taking lessons way back in 1982 and then my wife went on a park district ski trip one day. she tore ligaments in her knee and was out of commission for 6-7 months. there went the extra time and money and then life just kept getting in the way. and then at 61 I decided I had waited long enough. I took my ground school, passed the sport pilot written, took lessons and passed the check ride and am now coming up on my first BFR.
 
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rk911 said:
which is exactly what I did at the same age...62. I had started taking lessons way back in 1982 and then my wife went on a park district ski trip one day. she tore ligaments in her knee and was out of commission for 6-7 months. there went the extra time and money and then life just kept getting in the way. and then at 61 I decided I had waiting long enough. I took my ground school, passed the sport pilot written, took lessons and passed the check ride and am now coming up on my first BFR.
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Makes sense :yes:

Cheers
 
If 62 is too old to get back into flying, somebody forgot to tell my Dad.
 
mdo53 said:
Just purchased Shorty's Learn to Fly course to get me started while gathering info for the upcoming medical exam. I figured at my age I should start this way and get past the med exam before starting the actual flying lessons. I think I'm in decent shape other than having to take a small amount of Crestor and Metformin. I'm confident I can drop 20 more pounds by Sept when I go for my annual physical. My Dr. says she will take me off the Metformin by Sept but I will remain on Crestor. (I'm at 5.9 A1C) How tough is this medical exam? Am I too old for this? My plan is to schedule my med exam in October and get it out of the way before starting the flight training in Nov. Is this a good path?
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Your A1C is good. if your lipids are also OK and your doctor provides documentation that your lipids and diabetes are well-controlled, then you should be able to get a Class 3 with no major issues or delays. Sometimes the AME can issue you one and sometimes they have to run it by the medical branch in OKC, but I know a couple of insulin depended guys that have cleared medical. Don't worry about the 62...it's just a number.
 
As long as your short to long term memory transference is still in good shape, you shouldn't have much problem. Flying really isn't that difficult, remembering all the ancillary crap to pass the tests and make sound decisions is more taxing.
 
Tom-D said:
Why ? he is good to go PPL with a 3rd class. His numbers are better than mine. My last 3rd class was referred to OKC and issued from there with out a special issuance. I'm good to go the whole 2 years, on Metformin.

He won't even be classed as a Diabetic with a A1C of 5.9.

Issued directly from the AME's desk.
Click to expand...

Spoke with the local Senior AME today concerning the A1C and other meds. He said that as long as I can produce a recent A1c within the past 30 days with a reading less than 6.5 and a statement from my physician that my blood sugar is ok, no problem passing the exam whether I stay on Metformin or not, as long as that is the only diabetes med I take. As far as blood pressure pill, he would need a letter stating it is under control.... He said passing a 3rd class exam wouldn't be an issue as long as I have the statements from my Dr. along with the lab results. (He said a 5.9 isn't considered diabetes, 6.5 or greater is the number)
 
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