Is it too late for me?

[Builds By Baz]

I'm 56 this year and have wanted to fly since I was a child. I spent many years in the Australian Army, flying and working in all kinds of service aircraft parachuting, dispatching air land, air drop and airlift.

 

Never flown one.

 

Is it too late? Can I fly anything at my age? Can I build one?

 

I built this over seven years, but it is a display only and not airworthy even if I did miraculously fit engines.

 

how would I even start?

 

Baz.

Edited 6 hours ago by Builds By Baz

[Blueadventures]

Yes and yes, get started.

[Builds By Baz]

4 minutes ago, Blueadventures said:

Yes and yes, get started.

Where would I start? I live in Canberra.

 

[Siso]

Started flying sailplanes at 56. Go for it.

[sfGnome]

56? No worries. Medically, if you can drive a car, you can fly a plane. Talk to Go Fly at Canberra airport (there may be others there too). There are no other airports close by, so for you, it’s Canberra or bust. Alternatively, there’s the Canberra gliding club about an hour south (past Bredbo). That’s a good way to learn too, but the 2 hour round trip might get a bit tiresome. It’s no problem when you’re enthusiastic at the beginning, but if you start to struggle (many do), then the longer trip becomes a good excuse to quit. 🫤
 

As for building, there probably is an SAAA chapter at Canberra (https://saaa.asn.au/). If you’re thinking of building, it really helps to have people around who have already done it. Just don’t let them talk you into building what they built. Make sure that you check all the options and get something that matches your needs and wants. Anyway, that’s a fair way off. Get your license/certificate first! 😀

[pmccarthy]

My mother told me when she was 82 that she wished someone had told her at 70 that she was still young and could start new things. You have many years to enjoy flying if that is your dream. I am 74 and fly regularly, lots of friends are older and still fly.

[Builds By Baz]

1 hour ago, Siso said:

Started flying sailplanes at 56. Go for it.

I looked it up. It's a reasonable alternative. Thank you.

33 minutes ago, sfGnome said:

56? No worries. Medically, if you can drive a car, you can fly a plane. Talk to Go Fly at Canberra airport (there may be others there too). There are no other airports close by, so for you, it’s Canberra or bust. Alternatively, there’s the Canberra gliding club about an hour south (past Bredbo). That’s a good way to learn too, but the 2 hour round trip might get a bit tiresome. It’s no problem when you’re enthusiastic at the beginning, but if you start to struggle (many do), then the longer trip becomes a good excuse to quit. 🫤
 

As for building, there probably is an SAAA chapter at Canberra (https://saaa.asn.au/). If you’re thinking of building, it really helps to have people around who have already done it. Just don’t let them talk you into building what they built. Make sure that you check all the options and get something that matches your needs and wants. Anyway, that’s a fair way off. Get your license/certificate first! 😀

Thanks mate. I will chase that one up. Cheers.

 

Baz.

[Builds By Baz]

Just now, pmccarthy said:

My mother told me when she was 82 that she wished someone had told her at 70 that she was still young and could start new things. You have many years to enjoy flying if that is your dream. I am 74 and fly regularly, lots of friends are older and still fly.

Thank you. I appreciate the encouragement.

 

Baz.