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Do you ever wonder why some airline pilots retire early, even though we have heard this is a dream job? Today we have a special guest, Max Kohnke, who recently retired early as an airline pilot, and he shares why he retired early and what he misses and doesn’t miss about the job one year later.

Talking Points:

Max’s journey to the fight deck.
Why did he choose to become an airline pilot?
What are his favorite things about being an airline pilot?
What are his least favorite aspects of being an airline pilot?
Why did he retire early?
Advice for those looking at this as a career.
What are some reasons you would advise people against becoming an airline pilot?
Why are many pilots cautious about flying outside of work?
Will you fly as a hobby now that you are retired?
What is next for Max?
Where can we find you online?

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/@Pilotsandpropwash-me6vq

https://www.youtube.com/@maxsmodels

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching
Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching
Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching.

Pay It Forward:

Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AviationCareersPodcast

Questions:

feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com

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I Hart flying scholarships have been in our scholarships guide since their inception. Don’t forget through the generous support of our listeners and sponsors you can get a scholarship guide for free by visiting https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/free/.

Rachelle from I Hart is joining us today to announce a new initiative to support women in flight. As many of you know a member of our team, Leslie Caubble is a recipient of a scholarship helping her to move forward in her career in aviation.

Talking Points:

Rachelle and how she developed her passion for aviation

Why she started https://www.ihartflying.org/

Organizational Focus & Industry Positioning

• Strengthening the Aviation workforce pipeline through a structured model supporting Women in Flight
• Positioning IHFF as a workforce pipeline solution, not just a scholarship organization
• Approaching our 10-year milestone and scaling national impact

HART-LED: Cleared for Takeoff Campaign

• Launch of our new multi-year initiative: HART-LED: Cleared for Takeoff
• Focused on ensuring Access, Advancement, and Completion throughout Flight Training
• A structured, measurable approach to long-term workforce development in Aviation

The Core Industry Challenge

• The real challenge in Aviation is not capability, it is continuity
• Financial gaps between certifications are the primary barrier to progression
• Why many aspiring pilots start training but do not complete it

The HART-LED: Approach

• A three-phase model: Access • Advancement • Completion
• Focused on eliminating funding gaps and maintaining momentum
• Creating a clear pathway from first flight to career readiness

2026 Scholarship Series

• Introduction of a two-part scholarship series aligned with different stages of training

First Series: Access Granted — Runway to Rise (Launching April 21)

• Focused on the earliest stage of Flight Training where Access is the greatest barrier
• Designed to power a scholar’s first step into Aviation and build early momentum
• Removing financial barriers that often interrupt progress at the start of training
• Establishing the foundation for continued Advancement and Completion

Broader Industry Impact

• Supporting the full Aviation ecosystem beyond pilots
• Strengthening workforce development across operations, maintenance, and leadership pipelines
• Reinforcing that when Women advance, Aviation leads

Role of Industry Partnerships

• Partners play a critical role in supporting Access, Advancement, and Completion
• Engagement extends beyond funding into visibility, mentorship, and alignment
• Creating connection between industry leaders and the next generation of Aviation professionals

Links:

https://www.ihartflying.org 

Scholarships, Mentorship, and Interview Preparation:

https://ValeriAviation.com

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching   

Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching 

Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. 

Scholarships Guide:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/scholarships/

Pilot Interview Course:

https://www.PilotInterviewCourse.com 

Pay It Forward:

Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCku2icAOvMuEmYs-UarMG7g/join

Questions:

feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com  

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Today we have a special guest who is living her dream flying a Falcon 50 to exotic and exciting airports.

Talking Points:

What fueled her passion for aviation?
Schools attended including college
Funny story from her training.
Tips for student pilots.
Why did you choose corporate aviation?
Advice for those looking to get into corporate aviation.
Giveaway link: https://www.instagram.com/brookemcampbell/

What is your favorite airport from a flying perspective
What is your favorite airport to visit?
What is next in your career?
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/brookemcampbell/

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching
Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching
Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching.

Pilot Interview Course:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/pilot-interview

Pay It Forward:

Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube.

Questions:

feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com

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Trying To Decide What Direction You Should Take In Your Career?

Contemplating Changing Your Career?

Preparing For An Airline Interview?

Can’t Decide If A Career Is Right For You?

We can help with our career coaching:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/coaching/

Our Career Coaching Services Will Help You:

Define Your Goals.

Create An Action Plan. Guide

You Towards Your Career Goal.

Obtain Unbiased Advice You Will Not Receive From Friends and Family.

Keep  You On The Path To Success.

Decide What Direction Is Best For You.

Prepare For Your Airline Interview.

To Find Out More Visit:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/coaching/

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Is flying safe as a career? Due to recent news I have received questions from people in our coaching community asking if flying is safe. First, if you have reached this video and are wanting to discover if flying is safe as a mode of transportation the answer is yes. Flying is the safest mode of transportation and there are numerous videos covering that topic.

https://www.statista.com/chart/18264/the-most-dangerous-ways-to-travel-in-the-us/

What is safety?
The condition of being safe from undergoing or causing
hurt, injury, or loss.
It is as safe as the pilot and the operation.
Everything has risks.
The pilot and operation reduce the risk.
As a professional pilot one of our primary concerns is hazard recognition
and risk mitigation.
Here is my advice to those who want to reduce the risk in their career until
they reach the pinnacle of aviation safety: the airlines.
1. There is no flight worth killing yourself to complete.
2. When evaluating risk and making a decision ask yourself what will
your rational sound like at the NTSB hearing
3. Use the many risk assessment tools at your disposal.
https://amzn.to/3PCR322
4. Look at the operation and any accidents or incidents reported or
otherwise related.
5. Would you fly your family on this flight?

Links:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/cwc/flying-too-high-workers-fatalities-in-the-aeronautics-field.pdf

https://www.bls.gov/iif/additional-publications/archive/dangerous-jobs.pdf

https://www.statista.com/statistics/187154/occupational-injury-deaths-in-the-us-by-private-industry-sector/

https://www.bls.gov/iif/fatal-injuries-tables.htm

https://www.oshaeducationcenter.com/dangerous-jobs-in-united-states/#:~:text=Fatal%20Injuries%20per%20100%2C000:%2050.9,Aircraft%20Pilots%20and%20Flight%20Engineers

https://www.statista.com/chart/26595/number-of-deaths-on-the-job-per-100000-full-time-equivalent-workers-in-the-us/

https://avweb.com/aviation-news/iata-2025-airline-accident-safety-report/

Book of the Month:
The Killing Zone: How and Why Pilots Die.
https://amzn.to/4kKScQE

Mentorship:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching

Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching

Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one
coaching.

Pay It Forward:
Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube.
Questions:
feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com

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In episode ACP406 FLYGIRL DETAILING : HOW A PASSION FOR AVIATION TURNED INTO A LUCRATIVE BUSINESSwe spoke with Claire Maher about her entrepreneurial journey into the aviation business. Now, over a year later, she has accomplished an important aviation milestone, the commercial pilot certificate. To give us a career update and discuss the journey is Clair Maher.

Talking points:

What is flygirl detailing, and why did you start the business (For those who have not listened to episode 406)

Your journey to the commercial rating and a big congratulations!

How has your business been beneficial for your flying career?

What challenges are in running your business and obtaining ratings at the same time?

What is next in your flying and business career?

========================
Links:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/acp406-flygirl-detailing-how-a-passion-for-aviation-turned-into-a-lucrative-business/

https://www.flygirlaircraftdetailing.com/

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching
Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching
Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching.

Pay It Forward:

Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube.

Questions:

feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com

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Today we discuss the workforce projections for 2026 from an aviation training perspective with CEO of Spartan College Of Aeronautics and Technology, Rob Polston.

https://www.spartan.edu

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching
Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching
Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching.

Pay It Forward:

Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube.

Questions:

feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com

Statistics From BLS.gov

What Airline Pilots Really Make and Why Sharing Your Pilot Paystub Is A Bad Idea

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Talking Points:

What pilots really make:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/airline-and-commercial-pilots.htm#tab-5
$239,200 or more scheduled air transportation 2024 stats
That puts you in the top 10% of commercial pilots
I will have a breakdown in more detail later.

Why you should not share your paystub online or anywhere else.
1. Personal & financial data exposure

2. Contractual or company policy issues

3. Context gets lost fast.

4. Online permanence

Book of the Month:
The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy
https://amzn.to/4jqVXKx

5. What pilots really make

Questions:

feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching
Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching
Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching.

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Should you become a pilot in 2026? Today we dive deeper into the hiring outlook for 2026 and beyond. If you want monthly updates and access to the pilot interview course and mentorship community visit https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching

Pilot Hiring Outlook 2026

Questions:

feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching
Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching
Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching.

Visit Our Sponsor Stratus Financial

Aviation Careers Podcast is sponsored by Stratus Financial – Where Dreams Take Flight. Stratus Financial offers loans for pilot training, and they understand your needs because they are pilots! You can find more at https://stratus.finance/

Whether financing your dream of flying or simplifying the process by taking care of your student loans, their efficient, hassle-free funding can connect you to the life of your dreams of becoming a professional pilot sooner than you ever thought possible! To find out more, click here: https://stratus.finance

As a sponsor of this podcast, Stratus Financial is giving away scholarship guides, and you can get yours for free using the coupon code “Stratus” when you visit https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/free/