If you're looking for maximum efficiency, I would not start as early as I did—I'd wait until 15 or 16. That said, I do think that taking flight training before graduating high school is an excellent idea for any youth interested in a flying career (including those planning on a military track).
Is 23 too old to become a pilot?
Some students ask themselves, “Am I too old to become a pilot?” and wonder how long they will be able to pursue a career in the air. No one is too old to attend flight school, as long as they are physically capable of operating an aircraft.
What is a good age to become a pilot?
What is the average age of starting pilots?
The FAA requires student pilots to be at least 16, or 14 if training is limited to balloons or gliders. As of 2019, pilot age statistics reported the average age of student pilots as 33.5, according to the GAMA Databook.
Is 30 too old to be a pilot?
The reality is that you only become too old to start flight training when you can no longer hold a class one medical. However, if you are starting your training over the age of around forty, what you are looking to achieve takes some serious consideration.