My Next 1500 | The Professional Pilot Podcast

Welcome to My Next 1500 — a podcast for ambitious pilots who think differently. Hosted by Jason, a professional pilot, this show explores what it really takes to thrive in aviation. Not just survive the next 1,500 hours. From student pilot struggles to jet cockpit breakthroughs, we dive deep into the mindsets, habits, and decisions that shape successful aviation careers. Through candid interviews with working pros, instructors, recruiters, and industry insiders — plus solo episodes packed with real-world insights; you'll learn how to train smarter, build time with purpose, and make bold moves in a fast-changing industry. This isn’t flight school theory. It’s the conversation you wish your CFI, DPE, and airline mentor had with you. If you're serious about becoming a professional pilot on your terms, you're in the right cockpit.

Last refreshed: August 21st, 2025 at 9:02 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

How To Make 3X More Money as a CFI (Most Instructors Don’t Know This)

Most CFIs are leaving THOUSANDS on the table — don’t be one of them. In this video, I break down the secret path flight instructors are using to make 3X more money than the average CFI: 👉 Why working at a flight school caps your income (and keeps you stuck) 👉 How independent CFIs tap into flying clubs and private students to earn more 💰 👉 The real numbers: $50–$60/hour (and higher) without owning an airplane 👉 How to build a client pipeline that never runs dry 👉 Why most instructors don’t ...

Aug 19, 2025•24 min•Ep. 8

Should You Skip College for Flight Training? Airline vs. Corporate Pilot Life + Flight School Scams & CFI Red Flags

🎙 LIVE: Should You Skip College for Flight Training? Airline vs. Corporate Pilot Life + Flight School Scams & CFI Red Flags 📅 August 7th | The Pilot’s Discord Morning Show Today’s episode is packed with raw insights, hot takes, and no-filter pilot talk: ✈️ College vs. No College – Do you really need a degree to get hired at the airlines? Or should you knock out your certificates and circle back later? 🛩 Airline vs. Corporate Pilot Life – We break down salary, lifestyle, family impact, and...

Aug 07, 2025•36 min•Ep. 6

A320 First Officer & Corporate Pilot React to Brutal Checkride Story

🎙️ Corporate Pilot Theo & A320 First Officer Ben Join the Pilot’s Discord Daily! Today’s live episode is one of our most important yet. We unpack a raw, emotional story from a pilot who failed their 121 checkride — their fourth checkride failure — and was asked to resign just days later. Now, they’re jobless, supporting a child, and unsure of their future in aviation. We dive deep into: ✈️ What a 121 failure actually means 🛫 How airlines view multiple checkride busts 📉 Why the industry tr...

Aug 06, 2025•51 min•Ep. 5

Pilot Career Advice, Checkride Failures, & Going Independent (ft. Theo - Corporate Pilot)

In this pilot episode, we dive deep into the realities of building a career in aviation—especially when the journey doesn’t go as planned. Jason is joined by Theo, a corporate pilot flying the Challenger 650, to talk shop, share stories, and give real, honest advice for pilots navigating setbacks. ▶️ Topics Covered: Life flying the Challenger 650 Challenges of old tech aircraft & flying into island airports Advice for pilots who failed their LOE or checkrides The mental toll of aviation setb...

Aug 04, 2025•38 min•Ep. 4

From 400 Hours to a 24-Year Corporate Pilot Career – Wayne’s Story

Meet Wayne, a seasoned corporate pilot with a 24-year tenure flying jets across the U.S. and internationally. In this episode, Wayne walks us through his aviation journey—from skipping college classes to chasing his dream of becoming a pilot, instructing with just a few students, and landing his first regional airline job with only 400 hours total time. We talk about: • How Wayne went from gliders to Gulfstreams • The evolution of hiring in aviation (and what mattered back then vs. now) • His ex...

Aug 03, 2025•46 min•Ep. 3

Airbus 320 First Officer Ben - From Fear of Flying to Major Legacy Airline Pilot

Pilot Journey: From Fear of Flying to Major Legacy Airline Pilot - Ben's Story Join us as we dive deep into Ben's incredible journey from initially being terrified of flying to becoming a major legacy airline captain. In this episode, Ben shares his fascinating origin story, overcoming early fears, navigating challenges such as air sickness, and progressing through the ranks in the aviation industry. From flying Learjets in an on-demand charter role to becoming a captain and Line Check Airman at...

Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 1

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