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

Aviation Mentors
Podcast Episodes
S02E14: Listener Questions (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
🎙️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into listener questions that cover everything from finding the ideal flight instructor (hygiene and all!) to navigating cockpit camaraderie with…
S02E13: Joe Conley - Stories Of One Of The Greatest Airmen (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:43
🎙️ In Part 2 of our special series, we continue our conversation with Dave Granville, as he shares more thrilling and emotional stories of his father, Vietnam War hero Joe Conley. In this episode, we dive deeper into Joe…
S02E12: Joe Conley - Stories Of One Of The Greatest Airmen (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:23
🎙️ In this special two-part series of the Aviation Mentors podcast, we welcome Dave Granville, a long-time family friend and son of Vietnam War hero Joe Conley. Dave shares incredible stories of his father’s heroic servi…
S02E11: What’s A Dirigible? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:59
🎙️ In this thrilling episode of the Aviation Mentors podcast, Brandon and Carson are back with more banter, big news, and a topic they've never covered before—blimps! Ever wondered what it’s like to fly one of these elus…
S02E10: Ruff Skies, Smooth Landings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:14
Ever wonder what it’s like to take a dog flying? In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, join Brandon and Carson as they improv their way through an episode without a script, and dive into stories about flying w…
S02E09: Aviation Insurance: Is Age Just a Number? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
🎙️ In this episode of Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle the hot 🔥 topic of SkyWatch’s new insurance solution for pilots 70 and older. 🚀 From skyrocketing insurance costs to game-changing policies, they…
S02E08: Reckless Aviation (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:44
🎙️ In this roller coaster episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, ✈️ Brandon and Carson dive headfirst into a jaw-dropping aviation story where stress levels hit sky-high, ✈️ and a pilot makes a terrifying choice mid-fl…
S02E07: Reckless Aviation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:59
🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, ✈️ we’re taking a second look at the infamous Trevor Jacob case that rocked the aviation world a few years ago. The former Olympian and YouTuber crashed his plane—on pu…
S02E06: Back in the Saddle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, after a break from the cockpit, Carson is back and ready to take to the skies once more! ✈️ We dive into the highs, lows, and everything in between as Carson shares why…
S02E05: Student Finance, Tragedy, and Military to Pro Pilot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors podcast, we dive deep into the essentials of student finance, reflect on the tragic aviation accident in Brazil, and answer a listener's burning question about the process of tr…