From $7,300 in 9 Months to $100K: The Real Airline Pilot Salary Story

From $7,300 in 9 Months to $100K: The Real Airline Pilot Salary Story

Author: Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez March 7, 2026 Duration: 38:19

From $7,300 in 9 months to breaking $100K. What does the real airline pilot career path actually look like? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with Chad Freeman, a major airline pilot with 7 type ratings and founder of MHP Investors, a mobile home park investment company focused on building passive income and financial stability outside the cockpit. Chad shares his unfiltered journey from scraping by at a regional airline to flying the Boeing 787 internationally, and why he turned to real estate to protect himself from aviation's unpredictability. They discuss:

  • What it's really like flying the Boeing fleet, from the 737 to the 787
  • How augmented crews work on 16+ hour international flights (and yes, getting paid to sleep)
  • Why airline pay has changed dramatically and what student pilots can expect
  • Why Chad invests in mobile home parks and how it gave him financial freedom outside the cockpit
  • The passive income mindset every pilot should develop early in their career
  • Practical advice for student pilots and flight instructors trying to break into the airlines

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, aspiring airline pilot, or already in the right seat, Chad's story is an honest and inspiring look at what it takes to build a career and a life in aviation.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday. Join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

🔗 Connect with Chad Freeman: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chad-freeman-90967411a Website: mhpinvestors.com


Every Friday, Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez settle in for a conversation that feels like hanging out in the best kind of pilot lounge. Their Aviation Mentors podcast is built on the idea that the world of flight is vast, connecting everything from engineering and history to personal stories and global culture. They bring their own perspectives as active aviators, mentors, and entrepreneurs to each discussion, creating a space that’s as welcoming to a first-time student pilot as it is to a seasoned airline captain or someone who just loves the sound of a radial engine. You’ll hear episodes that dive into the nuances of technique, the stories behind iconic aircraft and airports, and the broader ways aviation shapes our society and sense of place. It’s a weekly exploration driven by genuine passion, moving far beyond textbook talk to capture the real conversations aviators have when they’re just sharing their love for flying. Tune in for thoughtful, wide-ranging dialogues that remind you why the aviation community is so uniquely compelling.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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