Considering a career switch to piloting at 30 — ADHD, mediocre academic record, looking for real advice
Hey all — long-time lurker, first time poster. I'm 30 years old and seriously considering starting pilot training, but wanted honest input before committing.
A bit about me:
I have ADHD (currently undiagnosed formally, planning to get evaluated soon)
I was a below-average student growing up — struggled with traditional classroom learning, tend to overthink decisions
I'm drawn to flying because I want something engaging that won't bore me — the hands-on, high-stimulation nature of it feels like a much better fit than a desk job
Long-term goal is something like Emirates or another major international carrier, though I know that's realistically a mid-career target, not an entry point
Questions I'd love real pilot input on:
Is 30 too late to start from zero? How common is it to see career-changers my age in training programs?
For anyone with ADHD — how did ground school go for you specifically? Any strategies that helped?
Is the "below average student" thing something that actually affects you once you're in flight training, or is it a different skill set entirely like I've heard?
Any regrets or things you wish someone told you before you started?
Not looking for hype, just honest experiences — good and bad. Thanks in advance.