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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To seriously want to work towards a private pilot's license?

86 replies

Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 17:36

Perhaps AIBU isn't quite right, perhaps it's AIBCaUN? (Am I being completely and utterly nuts?)

I've been on a few flight experiences and I absolutely love being up there. It gives me a buzz I haven't had since my horse riding days.

I've always loved going on planes (as exciting as the actual holiday) and always track planes on an app/look up for them on clear days. I love being up there, love the view and the feel of it. I play flight simulator, I watch videos, follow pilots on Instagram etc.

Financially it's expensive (about 12k to train), but I can afford it comfortably.

My biggest concern is that the aviation world is full of men over a certain age.
Sexist and ageist I'm being perhaps, but it honestly makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.

I'm a 30 something female, and even though I haven't felt uncomfortable with any of the instructors I've had (all male), I just feel like I'd end up feeling a bit lonely and/or uncomfortable.
I know IBU but it's honestly how I feel.

Should I let that put me off? Do I go for it?
A long shot but any other female pilots out there ??

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Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 19:19

missmollygreen · 21/05/2023 18:58

You have to do a certain amount of hours flying a year to keep your license

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Oh that won't be a problem! As soon as I land I want to go up again!

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Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 19:20

ToootToot · 21/05/2023 19:17

There are LOADS of women in aviation both as private and commercial pilots! All the airlines actively hire female pilots, even the big ones in the Middle East, so you are definitely not alone in wanting to fulfil your dream. Go for it, what are you waiting for?! If you’re in Yorkshire by any chance have a look at Yorkshire Aviation Academy, they’ll get you started on your exciting journey.

I am in Yorkshire! Got a great club near me which is also a members club and next door there is a car club which my husband loves so it's great for us both really.
While I'm flying, he can go look at cars!

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Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 19:21

Ps I don't want to fly commercially I don't think.

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ToootToot · 21/05/2023 19:25

Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 19:20

I am in Yorkshire! Got a great club near me which is also a members club and next door there is a car club which my husband loves so it's great for us both really.
While I'm flying, he can go look at cars!

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I think I know exactly which club you’re talking about 😉 The flying school I was referring to is only 10 mins from there!

Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 19:26

SilverHighlights · 21/05/2023 19:01

Go for it! I’m in my 40s and I’m training for my PPL right now!

Oh wow amazing. Would love to chat to you more about how it's going!!

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SilverHighlights · 21/05/2023 19:36

Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 19:26

Oh wow amazing. Would love to chat to you more about how it's going!!

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Sure, I’m happy to chat 😊

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 21/05/2023 19:38

Channel your inner Amy Johnson and go do it. An older man at an air museum today was telling my 12 yo DD all about Amy Johnson’s exploits and how she fought prejudice. They’re not all bad, most aviators I know are thoroughly good eggs.

WestCountryFanatic · 21/05/2023 20:13

I got my PPL back in about 1980, then became a commercial pilot. There really weren’t many of us female pilots around in those days! I’m retired now.
But don’t worry, there are masses of women flying these days, both privately and commercially.
I guess there are still some old-school, ex-military types around somewhere in private aviation, but mostly pilots are friendly and enthusiastic and I’m sure you wouldn’t feel lonely or uncomfortable!
I used to belong to the British Women Pilots’ Association - try looking at their website, I’m sure they will inspire you.
Go for it!

FlightoftheKakapo · 21/05/2023 20:45

I listened to a podcast that briefly talked about imposter syndrome. Most people have it and the name itself is awful: imposter; a deliberate fake, syndrome; an illness, condition

Actually we are just trying to fit into rooms not designed for us, often created over years. We should know this and redefine the walls of the rooms. You should be an aviator. Best of luck

Gremlins101 · 21/05/2023 20:50

Do it.
I'd love it too and if I had the time or money I'd do it.
It's still a pipe dream for when my kids are grown and I've spare cash...

DeNeushoornHeeftEenHoorn · 21/05/2023 20:59

I am doing it OP! Have only had 4 hours flying time so far and need to rack up 45 hours flying time total before I’m eligible to sit the exams for my license, so goodness knows how long it will take me. It’s an expensive old hobby. I’m Cotswolds.

VenusClapTrap · 21/05/2023 21:09

I did this in my youth; got up to twenty odd hours but then was unable to continue, sadly, due to life events. It’s a fantastic hobby and I loved it. I was the only woman in my flying club at the time but everyone was very friendly and welcoming. There are loads of women now though.

Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 21/05/2023 21:56

Thank you all for your replies.
I think I might go for it! Very exciting!

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Butchyrestingface · 21/05/2023 22:00

I wouldn't want to fly one of those single-engine Cessna things. People always seems to be flying one straight into a chimney stack.

3luckystars · 21/05/2023 22:00

Would you consider being an air traffic controller? money is good and depending where you are, the training is free and sometimes you are even paid while training. It’s still in aviation an you could fly as your hobby then.

@FlightoftheKakapo I would love to listen to that podcast if you remember the name of it

AltitudeCheck · 21/05/2023 22:16

I know a few women pilots, they're awesome! One flies skydivers most weekends, she's in her 60s, another has a ppl and takes her daughter for fun flights, another is now flying commercial helicopter tours in the US and a third is an airline pilot... you absolutely can do it! I have no desire to fly one, I just like to jump out! I know plenty of male pilots and on the whole they're decent blokes, you'll be out numbered for sure but you'll find them on the whole very welcoming (if slightly geeky!)

BettyBoozer · 22/05/2023 07:04

There's a lot of pilots on
Tik Tok who talk about their training and their working lives. Might be worth checking them out eg pilot_geezer

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 22/05/2023 07:15

I am amazed you say you have young children and can easily afford the money and time to do this. No judgement, I am impressed that's all... as someone who struggles to find money / time for myself. I know several people who had their PPL but for most this was either before or after kids. If it's something you really love and can find the time & money required, then I don't see why you wouldn't go for it.

Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 22/05/2023 07:49

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 22/05/2023 07:15

I am amazed you say you have young children and can easily afford the money and time to do this. No judgement, I am impressed that's all... as someone who struggles to find money / time for myself. I know several people who had their PPL but for most this was either before or after kids. If it's something you really love and can find the time & money required, then I don't see why you wouldn't go for it.

It is time consuming but my instructor told me yesterday I could do it quite steadily while building up the 40 hours, every other week or something. It's only when I start the exams that it would get more intense. By then my DD will be in school and I'll have free days during the week.

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JMSA · 22/05/2023 08:03

Do you currently work, OP? To have the money AND time to follow one's dream is the ideal!

Snowtrails · 22/05/2023 08:03

SwedishEdith · 21/05/2023 17:51

Do it. I knew someone who did it in her 20s then had a business flying business people on short trips to Europe. Essentially, she had her own airline. Eventually she switched careers to become an air traffic controller.

You need more than a private pilots license to do that.

Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 22/05/2023 08:18

JMSA · 22/05/2023 08:03

Do you currently work, OP? To have the money AND time to follow one's dream is the ideal!

Yes but only part time.
We recently sold a company and have alot of investments/interest building up so we're very comfortable.

It helps, as it means I don't have to go back to work full time anytime soon so have extra time, too. My DH is full time but he owns a race car and is often off doing that in spare time so he's fine with me having my share of having an exciting hobby!

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VenusClapTrap · 22/05/2023 08:34

Butchyrestingface · 21/05/2023 22:00

I wouldn't want to fly one of those single-engine Cessna things. People always seems to be flying one straight into a chimney stack.

In the same way there are always people driving cars into trees/walls/other vehicles. Idiots who drive too fast or beyond their capabilities, or don’t check/maintain their vehicle.

Flying is actually a lot safer because there are more checks, and the sky is, on the whole, a lot more empty than the M25 at rush hour, so you’re less at the mercy of other idiots ploughing into you.

Butchyrestingface · 22/05/2023 08:46

VenusClapTrap · 22/05/2023 08:34

In the same way there are always people driving cars into trees/walls/other vehicles. Idiots who drive too fast or beyond their capabilities, or don’t check/maintain their vehicle.

Flying is actually a lot safer because there are more checks, and the sky is, on the whole, a lot more empty than the M25 at rush hour, so you’re less at the mercy of other idiots ploughing into you.

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I agree on the reduced traffic in the sky, but it's the single engine aspect that gives me the fear more than the hard-of-thinking at the controls.

Original poster
Muddygreenfingers · 22/05/2023 08:59

Butchyrestingface · 22/05/2023 08:46

I agree on the reduced traffic in the sky, but it's the single engine aspect that gives me the fear more than the hard-of-thinking at the controls.

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Planes don't just fall out of the sky if the engine fails.

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