Is it too late for me?

[johnm]

hello Baz

 

You do meet people from time to time that did not 'get it' when coming to flying (instructors no doubt meet them more).

 

Main thing is flying is a detachment from things normal - its great fun - and its a learning thing of things unknown. ................. I recommend you jump in a plane and do / pay 2 or 3 hours of lessons - you'll know from that, or have an idea if you'll fit into 'the slot'

 

Also if you know someone that flies - ask & go for a fly with them - that way there is no learing / instructor obligation - just the fun of it (learning and instruction is / are fun - just a different sort of fun (should be))

 

 

[facthunter]

Flying is near 100% Newtonian physics plus aerodynamics. You probably have a good knowledge of that, Baz. I also doubt you would have a fear of flying Block but a flight with a fool show off trying to scare/impress you, can change that. Do the  full Medical  assessment off the record.   (That's better to do now than find out later that you have a problem)  If OK get a Designated Medical and get a student licence issued , then you can log your flying and have an ARN.   I'm happy to Mentor you privately if you  wish. No obligation. I've done it before.  Nev

[Builds By Baz]

Thanks John and Nev. I'm clearing some obstacles to get a foot in the door. Hopefully next Monday or Tuesday I'll walk in to the flying school and get the ball rolling.

[440032]

Footnote for Baz - There has been no such thing as a general aviation (VH-aircraft) Student Licence for many many years, CASA did away with it. Doesn't exist.

Odd but true. Student pilots are just student pilots these days. They are authorised for solo flights via some other means than having a student licence now.

Edited June 22 by 440032

[Builds By Baz]

Where do I go for a flight medical? Is there paperwork I need to download? What is the medical called? Can my GP do it? Is the paperwork flying-school specific or generic?

 

Baz.

[BurnieM]

If you are going for a RAAus RPC then there is no formal medical.

You simply make a declaration when you join RAAus. About $300-ish per year.

 

If you are going for a CASA RPL or PPL then first you need a ARN.

Go to the CASA website and create an account to generate your ARN (Aviation Reference Number).

They will ask for some ID documents. No charge for this.

Then submit a photo for your ARN.

 

Simplest CASA medical is Class 5.

You do a short online course and then make a self declaration where you say you are fit to have a car license and have no major illnesses.

You do this in the account you created for your ARN. Costs $10.

Restrictions are VFR only, up to 10,000 ft, one passenger and aircraft up to 2000 kg MTOW.

 

Other CASA medicals commonly used by recreational pilots are Class 2 Basic and Class 2. 

Info here - https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/aviation-medicals/learn-about-medical-certificates/basic-class-2-class-5-medical-self-declaration-and-rampc#BasicClass2medicalcertificate

You go to a doctor with higher costs.

Less restrictive and able to carry more passengers.

 

If you want to do an IFR endorsement later you will need higher than a class 5 medical.

 

Note if you fail a class 2, class 2 basic or class 1 you cannot go and get a class 5 (ie you are f*cked).

Maybe have an informal discussion with a DAME first.

 

[Moneybox]

On 17/6/2026 at 7:56 PM, Builds By Baz said:

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.

Baz, I’ve followed your build and from what I’ve seen you have all the skills required plus some. You’ll easily knock it off and your age is certainly no barrier. 
 

I didn’t decide to learn to fly until I hit 70 and took a serious look at my bucket list. I’m 72 now and have flown 95 hours but would have done a lot more if my other interests didn’t get in the way.

 

I think it’s important to make sure your finances are in order before commencing. I’ve seen too many unfinished projects and too many dropouts before finishing flying lessons and that is a waste of time and money. 

[skippydiesel]

"I think it’s important to make sure your finances are in order before commencing."

 

100% Agree - Flying is far from cheap, so do do your budget/cash flow(out)

 

"I’ve seen too many unfinished projects and too many dropouts before finishing flying lessons and that is a waste of time and money."

 

Dont agree.

 

Many aspiring pilots reach a point in training (often when they solo) and feel they have satisfied the "itch"  - thats okay (keeps the schools viable).

 

Unfinished projects can be passed on. My Sonex Legacy is one of those.

 

The real tragedy is when the builder can't bring themselves to pass on the project - this happens sometimes to the point where the beneficiary of the Will have a "fire" sale of the departed's assets. All to often the "project" is overvalued by the non flying relative but in the end goes to someone who will further the build (or the tip).

 

The above happens to completed aircraft as well - The Oaks has at least 7-8 aircraft gathering dust and another one or two, that seem to be heading that way.😈

 

[Moneybox]

20 hours ago, Builds By Baz said:

Where do I go for a flight medical? Is there paperwork I need to download? What is the medical called? Can my GP do it? Is the paperwork flying-school specific or generic?

 

Baz.

I went for a class-2 medical because I hadn't had a decent medical checkup for many years. The mistake I made was disclosing 70 years of medical history that they used to put me through the wringer. After months of tests and analysis they were calling for more so I spoke to my GP, he said "Don't worry there's nothing wrong with you, I'll write them a letter". That did it, I immediately passed but it only lasted two years so next time I just did the class-5 declaration. 

 

Your flight instructor will direct you to the correct quack for your CASA medical. Mine flight instructor told me, after the fact, that you just tick all the right boxes and you'll pass. I thought that might be ok until you attempted and insurance claim and some relevant medical history was disclosed then you'd be stuffed.

[Builds By Baz]

So I booked my introductory flight today. Looking forward to it.

 

The journey begins.

[BrendAn]

1 hour ago, Builds By Baz said:

So I booked my introductory flight today. Looking forward to it.

 

The journey begins.

did you go with a local canberra school

[Builds By Baz]

38 minutes ago, BrendAn said:

did you go with a local canberra school

Yep. learn2Fly

 

[BrendAn]

18 minutes ago, Builds By Baz said:

Yep. learn2Fly

 

excellent. if you can train close to home its a lot easier.

[skippydiesel]

1 hour ago, Builds By Baz said:

Yep. learn2Fly

 

Did you ask for cost estimates etc & compare their fees with possible competitor's???😈

[BurnieM]

Learn2Fly are the only flight school at Canberra that I am aware of.

 

[Moneybox]

The problem I had was getting available hours. I camped in the car park at Cloud Dancer for weeks for just an hour here and there. I ended up driving over 1000 km and camped in Esperance to finish my training with another instructor. 

[BrendAn]

14 hours ago, Moneybox said:

The problem I had was getting available hours. I camped in the car park at Cloud Dancer for weeks for just an hour here and there. I ended up driving over 1000 km and camped in Esperance to finish my training with another instructor. 

That's why I asked if he was training local. So much easier. 

 

[BurnieM]

Yes and no.

I chose to drive 2 hours to ShellHarbour rather that drive 45 min to Bankstown on account of (lots of) stories of taxiing for 25 minutes, 10 min to training area and 10 min back. Did not leave an lot of time in a 1 hour lesson for actual learning.

 

[Student Pilot]

On 30/6/2026 at 4:02 PM, Builds By Baz said:

So I booked my introductory flight today. Looking forward to it.

 

The journey begins.

It can be a different experience to what you expect, just go with the flow and enjoy it

[skippydiesel]

On 30/06/2026 at 8:06 PM, BurnieM said:

Learn2Fly are the only flight school at Canberra that I am aware of.

 

That mat be so however, as others have pointed out, its not necessarily the closet that meets the aspiring pilots needs (finial/time/personalities/etc) the best.

 

Many students have opted for an intensive course, offered by a school a long way from home, simply because it meets their needs & wants.😈

[skippydiesel]

52 minutes ago, Student Pilot said:

It can be a different experience to what you expect, just go with the flow and enjoy it

Up to a point - The student must feel comfortable with the schools instructors, confident their choice is the best bang for their particular  buck.

 

Many a student has left a school, after significant time & $$ investment, feeling they have been let down.

 

It will be time well spent investigating ALL the options BEFORE commiting.

 

😈

[BurnieM]

A lot of times you do not know what you do not know.

 

You probably need to get 10-15 hours into it before you have a general idea if a school is good for your learning style.

If it is not and you decide to change schools then you probably need another 10 hours to judge that school.

A school can be ok but not perfect and sometimes you decide to stick with it at a cost of additional hours.

You also need to put in the after hours theory study to make it all work.

 

[facthunter]

By definition, you CAN'T Know what you don't know. It's between Baz and his Instructor now.  If it's any comfort, the cost is Much less than it was when I started. A weeks wages got you 1 &1/2 Hours in the Air. We discussed this at my men's shed on wednesday . Nev.

[skippydiesel]

14 minutes ago, BurnieM said:

A lot of times you do not know what you do not know.

 

You probably need to get 10-15 hours into it before you have a general idea if a school is good for your learning style.

 

 

Jesus wept! You could be $7,000 + down the tube by that time.  

 

Subject to number of available instructors  - make your decision to change instructor/move school within the first 3 hrs.

 

Dont be shy - hang around the school office, talk to the other students, get a feel for each instructors "teaching style" (hint the most relaxed are likly the best)

 

Find the instructor that you feel sympatico with. Stick with that one, don't chop & change  - you will will learn faster, it will be vastly more enjoyable  and you will save $$.😈

 

 

[facthunter]

Baz is a "grown up" person Skip.   He's made a decision.  You don't HAVE to be "soul mates" with your Instructor,. Mutual respect is enough.  They all "teach" much the same syllabus.  A school is not going to keep an instructor that gives them a bad name. They ALL operate under the CFI. Nev