# I just turned 32 and I've decided I want to fly a fighter jet. Possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 27, 2002, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155 "2002-10-27T21:02:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VanLandry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@VanLandry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VanLandry)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155/1 "2002-10-27T21:02:19Z")
I have no military exp. and am about semester’s worth of credits away from an Associates degree. Would the Navy or Air Force let tryout for flight school or am I too old to start the process? ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155/2 "2002-10-27T21:15:58Z")
From [navy.com](http://navy.com), Prerequisites for Naval Officers: BA/BS from an accredited university 19-34 years old Pass a physical exam and be in good shape Attend Officer Candidate School [airforce.com](http://airforce.com) says To be considered for the Officer Training Program, you must be 18-35 years of age, meet certain physical requirements, be a U.S. citizen and possess above-average grades and good health. Pilot candidates should turn in their application to the selection board no later than age 28-1/2. You must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and have strong moral character. It’s also important to score well on the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. It is not impossible. ---
**Author:** ![BZ00000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@BZ00000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BZ00000)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155/3 "2002-10-27T21:23:25Z")
There are prbably other counties with lower standards. You could become citizen of some other country. ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155/4 "2002-10-27T21:45:28Z")
The Russians used to sell MiG29 rides. or, you could try this route: [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1871192228](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1871192228) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155/5 "2002-10-27T21:47:25Z")
If all you want to do is fly it, without necessarily having to join the military, I suggest you get a conventional pilot’s license, study very hard, develop as many skills as possible, plus get very very rich. Then you’ll be able to afford to “rent” a [MiG](http://www.incredible-adventures.com/migs/). ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155/6 "2002-10-27T23:11:30Z")
Yes, or you could buy an F86 Sabre, a T28, various different brands of Mig, and many other obsolete military jet aircraft. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2002, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-turned-32-and-ive-decided-i-want-to-fly-a-fighter-jet-possible/134155/7 "2002-10-28T00:51:48Z")
The L39 Albatross is a popular jet. There enough of them avaialble in the US that parts are not a problem. They aren’t THAT expensive (as planes go). Its the per hour cost that will hurt… Brian