Captain Curt's Journey: From Working 3 Jobs to Flying Gulfstreams | Aviation Success Story

Flight training costs, career timelines, and generational wisdom—what does it really take to make it as an airline pilot? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with Captain Curt, a third-generation airline pilot and current Gulfstream captain, in Curt's brand-new podcast studio. They dive deep into the realities of building an aviation career, including:Why every year you delay flight training costs you $500,000+ in lost career earningsThe $2 million impact of seniority numbers on your lifetime airline salaryCaptain Curt's journey: working 3 jobs, paying cash for flight school, and surviving the 2008 financial crisisWhy student loans and speed matter more than slowly working your way through trainingThe harsh realities of medical issues ending careers early—even for the healthiest pilotsFrom ferry pilot to Gulfstream captain: building hours fast without instructingAviation family legacy: 4 generations of pilots and checking out his dad on a GVCorporate aviation vs airlines: pay, lifestyle, and work-life balance trade-offs 🚀 Whether you're a student pilot deciding on flight school financing, a CFI building hours, or aspiring to fly corporate jets, this episode is packed with honest advice and real-world career strategies from someone who's lived it. 🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.