Is age 15-16 good age to start flight school?

Question

I am 15 and a half, living in CA. I was to become a airline pilot. I want to start flight school, but I am not sure if age 15 is ok. I am thinking if I can, to start this coming summer (i will be 16 then). I would also like to get some more information on flight school etc.

Please help me! thanks!

Answer 1

It's not a good age, nor is it a bad age.  If you have the money go for it, if not it won't hurt your career at all.  I usually recommend concentrating on school and college first.  You can go from 0 hours to flight instructor in less than a year if you can do it full time.  I waited until after I had a few years in another career before I did my flight training.  I'd say about half the airline pilots I flew with started flying in college and the other half started later in life due to career changes.

Answer 2

If you have the time and money now, go ahead. The more experience you have the better.

Answer 3

If this is your dream then no I do not think it is too early.  I started at 17 and completed my license by 18, my little brother started at 16 and finished by 17 and now works in the airline industry.  You will have a few delays in your career due to age, (can not solo until 16, can not get your license until 17), but one of the big big advantages is you will be building hours and experience and that is very valuable later in your career.  

Any flying job will ask you about experience.  If you can tell them you have for example a couple of thousand hours experience it helps promote you.  Also a good education and experience in a vary of aircraft and ratings will promote your future career.

So start your lessons, build your hours, build your experience, get new rating (commerical, instrument, multi-engine), get a good education and you will be on your way to a good aviation career.