“It’s Never Too Late”: Pilot Encourages Older South Africans To Pursue Aviation
- A pilot shared a message that challenged common beliefs about age and career limitations.
- His advice resonated with many who have been hesitant to pursue long-held dreams due to timing
- The discussion opened up new perspectives on entering industries later in life
- Briefly News spoke to Thandokuhle Moalosi, a pilot who shared why she believes aviation should not be seen as a career only for young people, as well as Asiphe Gxobole, who is a private pilot
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Career paths are no longer as fixed as they once seemed. More people are exploring new opportunities later in life, challenging the idea that certain dreams have an expiry date. With access to information and evolving industries, the barriers to entry are shifting.
Source: TikTok
A video shared by @life.of.hugo on 29 April 2026 featured a pilot encouraging South Africans to consider entering the aviation industry, regardless of age. In the clip, he explained that even individuals in their 30s or 40s can pursue careers in aviation or learn to fly for personal fulfilment.
The pilot shared that he had previously trained a 45-year-old student, highlighting that learning does not stop at a certain age. He emphasised that the aviation sector offers a range of opportunities beyond commercial flying, making it accessible to people with different goals and interests.
How much is an aviation course?
The pilot, user @life.of.hugo, also broke down some of the financial requirements involved. According to his explanation, medical assessments can cost between R8,000 and R15,000, while obtaining a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) may range from R120,000 to R180,000. Additional costs can arise throughout the training process, depending on flight hours and certification requirements.
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Despite the expenses, he noted that flexible payment options, bursaries, and sponsorship programmes are available in some cases. These opportunities can help ease the financial burden, particularly for those committed to completing their training and entering the industry. The video highlighted a growing trend of people exploring alternative career paths and investing in long-held dreams, regardless of age.
How much do pilots earn?
According to Indeed job site, the compensation for pilots in South Africa is heavily influenced by their level of expertise and the specific company they work for, resulting in a typical monthly salary of approximately R36,600. For those just beginning their careers, annual earnings for entry-level commercial pilots generally fall between R250,000 and R300,000. In contrast, seasoned captains employed by major airlines have the potential to earn upwards of R1 million per year. Generally, pilots working in regional, charter, or cargo operations tend to receive lower pay compared to those flying for the country's primary carriers.
Thandokuhle told Briefly News that many people wrongly assume the aviation industry is only suited for younger individuals because of how demanding it appears.
“Yes, I do believe there is a misconception that aviation is only for young people. I think this comes from the idea that the industry is demanding, requires a lot of academic knowledge, and involves learning a lot of new information before starting training, but that is not always the case.”
She explained that aviation offers opportunities for people from different backgrounds and age groups.
“The industry is open to anyone with a passion for aviation and a desire to explore the world. It’s also not only about becoming a pilot or flight attendant. There are many other fields like engineering, research, communications, and more.”
Thandokuhle admitted that one of the biggest challenges in aviation can be adapting to the work schedule.
“The work schedule can be difficult because of the odd and long hours required in the industry, but I believe that is something people can work around if they are truly passionate about it.”
She encouraged older South Africans not to give up on dreams they may have postponed for years.
“You don’t want to live your life 20 years from now regretting not doing something you truly wanted to do. It’s never too late to start your aviation journey. As the Zulu saying goes, ‘Iphupho alifi umnikazi asaphila,’ meaning a dream never dies while its owner is still alive.”
Asiphe on the other hand told Briefly News that many people wrongly assume aviation is only for the young.
“That is a common misconception. The assumption is that airlines are looking for young pilots, but that’s just not the case. The idea that it’s ‘too late’ after 30 or 40 doesn’t match reality.”
He explained that while aviation training can be demanding, the biggest challenges often come down to practical life circumstances rather than age.
“The main ones are time, money, and the medical. When you’re older, you usually already have a job and a family, so training full-time becomes difficult. Medical exams can also get stricter with age, so you need to check that early.”
Asiphe encouraged anyone interested in aviation not to overthink age, but to start with small, practical steps.
“My advice is to take an intro flight first. It’s the fastest way to know if you actually love it and can handle it. Get your medical done early. Many people start later and still go on to fly for fun, instruct part-time, or work in charter and corporate aviation.”
Source: TikTok
Check out the TikTok video below:
Mzansi stunned by aviation fees
Kay said:
“R8k–15k for medical?? 😭 I pay R950.”
Sewa_ reacted:
“Dream down the drain. 😭”
pilotshawndouglas added:
“8k for medical? 💀 I pay 2–3k.”
3 Other Briefly News stories about pilots
- A South African pilot shared how his R1.3 million training was fully funded, encouraging youth to take education seriously.
- A desperate search is underway for a helicopter that disappeared in the Kruger National Park with four occupants and pilot on board.
- A private pilot’s casual decision to fly to Johannesburg for a burger caught attention by showing how differently everyday choices can look.
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Source: Briefly News
