Ask Captain Lim

Hello Capt Lim,

My name is Rashid Billimoria. I am truly amazed at the information in your web site. I am currently living in the U.S.A. I am 30 years old. My questions are as follows:-

Is it too late for me to be an airline pilot?

I am currently in a Masters program. Could this help me towards becoming an airline pilot?

How many certifications does it take to reach, say, the level of a Boeing 737-400? How many hours and how much is the cost?

Please reply at your earliest convenience

Thanks,

Rashid Billimoria

Hi Rashid,

It is never too late, at 30 years, to be a pilot if you really yearn to be one. Of course, it would be better if you had started your flying career earlier, for experiences are based on the flying hours that you have accumulated. So, if you start late, then you can expect to be absorbed into the airlines that much later. Getting a Master degree would not necessary expedite your promotion. It would probably give you a better edge when you apply to join a major airline.

There are some Flying Institution whereby you will graduate with a Boeing 737 rating but I am not sure of the latest cost and minimum hours required. Please refer to a previous FAQ . You can contact the six institutions listed there for the details.