Who is learning to fly today?

[mnewbery]

While doing some research for an upcoming blog post I hit a wall. Last night I was in a group flight briefing. It was a big bunch of people and this was the second night. That was good news for the flying school.

 

I looked around. All of the students were men and most of them looked like me - single or recently married, mostly childless and mostly 25 to 35 years old. Two were retirees. No women and no kids.

 

I'm sure the school is happy to have people in their peak earning years occupying the seats and I am comfortable with my fellow students, but...

 

Is this the normal flying school demographic?

 

There is no information readily available that I can see. Please reply to this post. I will also seek input from RFACA.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

[Guest Duke]

Well funny,

 

I am just about to start... and I am about to hit 33... so ill say yup...:biggrin:

 

 

[edfathead]

That is Interesting. I'm about to Turn 33 and have only put 5 hours under my belt so far.

 

 

[Zordah]

I'm 43 and have done 17 hours of training so far. Haven't been up for a few months though to let the finances recover :/

 

 

[red750]

This goes back a bit, to 1968, but I was 24 and unmarried when I learnt to fly. I did a 21 day course at Moorabbin during my annual leave. So I guess the demographic hasn't changed much over the years. I allowed my licence to lapse when I was 42, due to financial commitments with kids in secondary college.

 

 

[Guest SierraAlphaMike]

I'm 19 and have been learning to fly since I was 14. (yes slow progress)

 

Have about 75hrs under my belt now. Where I learn we have a huge variety of people learning. Young to mid-aged men and women.

 

 

[Guest mirage]

When I did my CPL there was quite a few women learning to fly, most were 18-25 but there was a few 40+. I had 2 female instructors for most of my CPL training as well, one who was very experienced and would have been pushing towards her 70's (Still teaching aerobatics as well).

 

When I moved onto my instrument rating, well that was a different story. It was mainly 20ish year old males and the odd 40+ year old. I noticed that very few of the private guys seem to go down the IFR road here in Aus compared to say the US / EU where I believe its quite common.

 

 

[winsor68]

I have just turned 43 and recently completed my RA Cert. I wonder if there would be a difference in average age between RA and GA?

 

 

[Spin]

I think there probably is Don, I know where I did my RA cert, I was one of the younger people at 45. GA has a broader mix, including those just starting out on a career in flying.

 

I going to go mess up those stats though, got my PPL in my late 20's, RA in my 40's, now going GA again.

 

 

[TAA Student Pilot]

My first lesson was in 1978, done a few hours since. I will be flying today, hopefully I will still learn something.

 

 

[Guest PeterG]

Hi, I'm nearly 48. Started learning just over a year ago and have about 40hrs. Haven't flown since March so I can get through the theory. Didn't anticipate the amount of reading involved. I spend most free time on theory as I want to get it completed so I can get back in the air.