We worked hard. Paid our dues. Climbed the seniority list. Maybe we finally got that long-haul route or the schedule we used to dream about.
But still, something feels off. Not broken, just weird.
We scroll past stories of people building businesses, creating freedom and making an impact. And there’s a part of us wondering, “Could I ever do something like that?”. Then it hits. “No way. I don’t have the time.”
These thoughts aren’t facts. They’re myths. Subtle, believable, and dangerous myths that convince pilots to play safe.
So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bust these myths and help us achieve the freedom we always thought wasn’t possible for us.
Key Takeaways
- Time isn’t the issue, focus is: We waste hours on things that don’t matter. If you use just 1 hour a day with intention, that’s 30 hours a month. You just haven’t assigned it a mission yet.
- Success doesn’t expire: Most top entrepreneurs are in their 40s and 50s. Why? Life has taught them. They take smarter risks. They know themselves. If you’re flying planes, you’re already doing hard things.
- Start with small time blocks: Just one focused hour in your hotel room or on layovers compounds fast. That’s over 300 hours a year.
- Hire help early: You don’t need to learn design, video editing, or bookkeeping. Use Fiverr or Upwork. Focus only on what moves the needle.
Two Lies (Myths) That Pilots Tell Themselves in Their 40s and 50s
By the time we’re in our 40s or 50s, most of the turbulence feels behind us. We’ve earned our stripes and may even be considering an early retirement.
That’s where most pilots think: “Maybe I should just enjoy the ride from here.”
However, for many pilots, that mindset can quietly become a trap. Instead of freedom, it breeds complacency and convinces us to shrink our potential.
That’s why we’re here: to call out two of the most common lies that keep pilots stuck, and what’s truly beneath them.
Myth #1: “I Don’t Have Time to Start a Business”
It actually sounds reasonable for once. Between standby duties, irregular sleep, commuting, and squeezing in family time, it genuinely feels like there’s no room for anything else.
But that’s where most pilots are wrong. It’s not about time, but how we use it.
According to Exploding Topics, an average person spends around 7 hours on their phone, including professionals. Even if we cut it down to 3.5 hours in the case of pilots, there’s still time that we can use wisely.
Many pilots overestimate the time needed to start. We picture a huge commitment, when in reality, an hour a day of focused effort is all we need.
Many successful business owners started something as a side hustle while holding a full-time job, and still managed to make it big through consistency and discipline.
The bottom line is, we don’t need more hours in a day. We need a strategy to manage our time better without burning out.
The idea of our downtime as free time is actually the trap here. Nobody values anything given for free so it would be better to view that time as discretionary time.
And discretionary time is defined as the time we choose how to spend, not out of obligation, but intention and choice. It’s the space where our deepest priorities could be building, connecting, creating, and growing.
When we see it this way, every hour becomes a vote for the life we want. It’s all about perspective!
Myth #2: “It’s Too Late to Start Something New”
This one hits harder because it’s rooted in fear, not facts. Many pilots worry that if they haven’t launched something by 40 or 50, the window has closed.
Even so, the data paints a different picture.
According to a report by Harvard Business Review, the average age of a successful startup founder is 45. MIT Sloan has also busted that myth. Research has shown that 50-year-old founders are 180% more likely to build high-net-worth companies compared to 30-year-old founders.
Crazy, right? If you’re around that age, or a little beyond, then buckle up, because you can be one of them too.
How Pilots Can Leverage Time Without Quitting the Cockpit?
We understand we might not have all the time we need to build something, but if our spending between 8-16hrs a day building someone’s dream surely a discretionary hour can’t be a huge ask. Here are some time-leverage strategies that you can use to be an entrepreneur.
1. Win the Margins (Not the Whole Day)
We don’t need 8 hours to start something; instead, 45 to 60 minutes of focused work is sufficient. Most business-building momentum happens in small, consistent windows.
As pilots, we can use deadhead flights or hotel downtime to brainstorm, write and research. Make sure to set a timer and use 25-minute Pomodoro sprints between flights or at the gate.
Replace one show per week with one business session. That’s 52 hours a year, more than a full workweek.
2. Use Tools That Work While You Fly
In aviation, autopilot doesn’t mean “do nothing”. It means letting systems handle routine tasks, allowing you to focus on higher-order thinking.
Your business should work the same way.
Here are some tools that you can actually use:
- AI Assistants like ChatGPT or Copy.ai can help you ideate. We know pilots are highly intelligent people and seeking help often feels like an admission of weakness and these tools can be a safe space without the friction.
- No-code platforms like Carrd or Webflow let you build websites without learning to code.
- Zapier to automate tasks between tools, like sending email responses and more.
3. Outsource Before You’re Overwhelmed
Doing everything on our own will only slow us down. Even with a small budget, we can find help on freelance platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork.
Simply outsource the tasks that drain our energy, so we can focus on building the parts only we can handle.
Success Stories of Founders Who Made It Late in Life
If you’re in your 40s or 50s and thinking it’s too late to start something new, we’re actually in great company.
Let’s find out who those successful founders are.
1. Colonel Harland Sanders – KFC (Age 65)
When most people were settling into retirement, Harland Sanders was just getting started. After a long string of failures and odd jobs, including being a farmhand, he began franchising his fried chicken recipe.
In less than a decade, KFC grew into a global brand, and Sanders sold it for $2 million in 1964. His story highlights how perseverance and consistency can help you become the best version of yourself, regardless of your age.
2. Vera Wang – Fashion Icon (Age 40)
Before launching her fashion empire, Vera Wang was a competitive figure skater and then an editor at Vogue. She entered the fashion industry at age 40, frustrated by the lack of bridal designs she loved. Today, Vera Wang is a billion-dollar global brand. She proved that creative reinvention is possible at any stage of life.
3. Reid Hoffman – LinkedIn (Age 43)
Reid Hoffman had already worked in tech for years, but didn’t co-found LinkedIn until age 43. It launched in 2003 and was eventually acquired by Microsoft in 2016 for $26.2 billion. Today, Hoffman is a legendary investor and tech leader, but his defining success came well after his 40th birthday.
4. Sam Walton – Walmart (Age 44)
Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in 1962 at age 44, after running a modest retail operation for years. His strategy of low prices and high volume was initially mocked, but it changed retail forever.
By the time he passed, Walton had built the largest retail corporation in the world.
Still Dreaming About Something More? This Might Be Your Moment
Being in our 40s or 50s is not late; it’s the prime window for entrepreneurship. A lot of pilots feel that they can’t do it when they totally can.
You’ve got wisdom, stability, and real-world experience. If you can fly a 200, 300 million dollar aircraft across continents for breakfast, you’re already operating at a level most entrepreneurs dream of. What you’re missing is a roadmap and a way to leverage your life without sacrificing what you love.
If you’re curious about what you’re capable of, take our 3-minute quiz to find out how close you actually might be to being successful.
Invitation to join our FREE Strategy Session
Most pilots are one honest conversation away from clarity. This is that conversation.
Complete our “Life After the Sky” checklist, then join me for a FREE 15-minute “Strategy Session” via Zoom.
This session has been created for pilots who want to take ownership of what comes next.
Those who want action, not just to talk about it.
In just 15 minutes, we’ll:
- Review your checklist results
- Identify the one obstacle holding back your reinvention
Translate your checklist results into a clear starting point
Start your pre-flight assessment for the next chapter of your journey by Booking your free strategy session here!
