You’ve given decades to this career.
And maybe, quietly, you’ve started wondering if there’s more. More time, more connection, or maybe more meaning.
But then the doubt creeps in: “Maybe I’m too busy, or it’s too late, or maybe I should just wait.”
That’s where these myths begin. They sound harmless and even responsible. However, they silently hold you back from the promised freedom and fulfillment.
This article is for the pilot who’s starting to ask the harder questions.
It starts with uncovering the lies that feel safe and embracing the one truth that can help you move forward.
Key Takeaways
- Retirement isn’t guaranteed: Medical issues or airline decisions can end your career early. Don’t wait to build a plan B.
- You can’t build a business alone: Trying to figure it out solo leads to burnout. Like flying, you need a system and mentorship.
- Time is not the problem: It’s leverage that you don’t have. You don’t need more hours, just better use of the ones you have.
- Waiting doesn’t make you a better parent: Parenting is about presence, not time. Start building a life that makes that possible today.
- Clarity comes with action: You don’t need to have it all figured out. Start with one step, like taking a short 3-minute quiz. It might show you what you’ve been missing.
Busting 17 Myths Pilots Tell Themselves During Their Career
Most pilots live by beliefs that seem practical but quietly keep them stuck. They say things like “I’ll figure it out later” or “My family understands.” But over time, these small assumptions become massive barriers to growth, freedom, and presence.
If you’ve ever felt the pull for more time, more meaning, or more flexibility, this list is for you. Here are 17 myths that keep pilots grounded:
Myth 1: “I’ll Stay in Aviation Until I Retire”
It’s the story many pilots cling to: fly the full distance, retire on schedule, and finally enjoy the rewards.
But reality doesn’t always follow that flight path.
Your career might end early due to medical issues, layoffs, or even unexpected airline decisions that were never part of the plan.
Myth 2: “I’ll Invest in Real Estate or the Stock Market Instead”
Many pilots see investing as a safer, passive route to long-term wealth. Real estate and the stock market might promise returns, but they are way riskier than starting a business.
What most people don’t see is the initial capital, time, and patience required to make this work.
A rental property rarely increases your cash flow well in the first year, and the stock market can dip at any moment without warning.
Myth 3: “I’ll Become an Instructor or Take a Ground Job”
The idea of staying in aviation after flying feels safe. It’s what you’ve known and been taught. Transitioning into a training or corporate role also seems like a smart and respectable next step.
However, becoming an instructor or taking a ground role only tightens your schedule, and you feel the urge to be a pilot again when you see someone fly.
Moreover, these roles pay a lot less than what you were making as a pilot, which means less leisure and more work. And it will only make you miserable and not happy, and won’t give you more time to spend with your family.
| Read the Mindset Myths that are keeping you grounded as a pilot. |
Myth 4: “I’ll Figure Out Business on My Own”
As a pilot, you’re used to solving problems alone. You’ve trained for independence, for focus, for personal responsibility.
When the idea of starting a business arises, it’s tempting to think, ”I’ll just figure it out.” But entrepreneurship without guidance is like flying IFR without instruments—risky and blind.
The data also backs it up. Research suggests that about 10% of most businesses fail in year one because the founders were navigating everything alone.
Myth 5: “My Pension Will Take Care of Me”
Pensions or End Of Service Benefits give the illusion of peace. On paper, it sounds like the reward at the end of a long, loyal career.
The reality, however, paints a different picture.
Over time, the costs of every service, including healthcare, rise, and retirement often lasts longer than expected.
When you add inflation, what looked like enough may not stretch as far as you hoped.
| Check out the four Passive Income Illusions that are keeping you from taking off. |
Myth 6: “Entrepreneurship Is Too Risky or Hard”
Many pilots hear the word “business” and immediately think of chaos, sleepless nights, financial stress, and high failure rates.
The irony is you already live with high-stakes risk every day.
You manage pressure, execute under stress, and follow systems that protect lives. That means you’re more prepared for entrepreneurship than you think.
All you need is the right checklist and guidance; your business journey won’t be chaotic.
Myth 7: “I’ll Just Do Freelance Consulting”
Consulting feels like a comfortable pivot. You get to keep your expertise, set your hours, and charge a premium based on your experience. Sounds ideal, right?
The truth is, you’re trading time for money.
When you don’t work, you don’t earn. There’s no scale, no leverage, and no freedom.
It is just another job in disguise, not ownership. So, if you want time freedom, you need something that even runs without you.
Myth 8: “I’ll Start a Side Hustle on the Side”
Side hustles seem productive. They make you feel like you’re doing something. However, most of them stay just hobbies and don’t really lead to freedom.
That’s because they aren’t designed to accommodate growth.
You end up splitting focus, draining your energy between a demanding flying career and a tiny project that never lifts off.
Myth 9: “I Should Get an MBA or Business Degree First”
Education is valuable, but it’s not a prerequisite for success.
Most pilots assume they need credentials before they can build something, but business isn’t learned in lecture halls.
It’s learned by doing. MBAs teach theory while entrepreneurship teaches execution.
In fact, some of the most successful founders have never taken a business class, which means it’s not necessary.
Myth 10: “I Don’t Have Time to Start a Business”
Time usually feels like your biggest enemy when you’re a pilot. Long trips, jet lag, commutes, family obligations, it’s hard to imagine where anything else fits.
But you don’t need more time. All you need is better leverage.
An hour of clarity beats five hours of guessing. Pilots who start while flying prove that progress doesn’t require quitting your job; it just requires commitment, focus, and the right systems.
Myth 11: “It’s Too Late to Start Something New”
It’s easy to believe your best shot at building something meaningful has passed.
You’d be surprised to know that the average successful startup founder is over 45. This means, even if you’re in your 50s, it’s never too late to start something you like.
At this age, you’ll have more clarity and discipline, and you already have everything younger entrepreneurs are still trying to build.
Myth 12: “I Need to Wait Until I Stop Flying”
This is one of the most convincing lies, yet the perfect window rarely arrives.
Life gets busier, pressure builds, and waiting too long turns urgency into desperation. That’s why smart pilots don’t wait until they’re grounded.
They start part-time, while they’re still flying. It gives them time to learn, adapt, and grow, so by the time retirement comes, they’re ready for the next chapter of life.
Myth 13: “I’m Not the Entrepreneur Type”
There’s no mold for a business owner. There is no specific look, voice, or personality, yet many pilots believe they’re not cut out for it.
That’s just a big lie because you already have all the core traits of a pilot, including structure, decision-making, discipline, and risk awareness.
You’ve trained your entire career to manage complexity under pressure. It means you don’t have to feel like a founder to actually become one. All you need is to reframe your identity.
Myth 14: “I’ll Spend More Time with My Kids After I Retire”
This one feels noble. But it’s the most dangerous one. By the time you retire, your kids will grow up and their need for your presence will have passed.
Studies also show that 75% of the time parents spend with their kids during their lifetime is by the age of 12. This highlights that the window doesn’t stay open forever.
They don’t just need your money; they need your attention, which is only possible if you start now.
Myth 15: “My Family Understands I’m Doing This for Them”
Your family probably does understand. They see how hard you work, how committed you are, and how much you sacrifice.
The issue is that understanding is not the same as connection. Your family may support your mission, but they still miss you.
Provision doesn’t equal presence. What they want isn’t more gifts or payment. They want you.
Myth 16: “My Spouse Is Fine With the Lifestyle – I Asked”
You asked and they said they’re fine.
But in reality, “fine” often hides fatigue. Most partners don’t want to complain, especially when they know how hard you work.
They carry more than they show, such as missed holidays, solo parenting, and emotional distance. Over time, that builds walls you didn’t mean to create.
Myth 17: “I’ll Be a Better Parent Once I Have More Time”
It’s a comforting belief: more time will make everything better.
Just know, time doesn’t just appear. Life never slows down how we imagine it will, and being a great parent isn’t about quantity but quality.
It’s about presence, energy, and focus. You just have to stop waiting for life to open a door and start building one that fits the life you actually want.
| Here are the four myths why you cannot parent on autopilot. |
The Truth That Could Change Everything For You
The main question is: What do you do when you let go of your wings?
For many pilots, that’s where panic sets in. Not because they’re unskilled, but because they never built something of their own.
This is where entrepreneurship becomes your biggest asset. It’s one of the paths that would give you time, income, and control on your terms.
Not tied to flight hours. Not limited by base assignments or bidding wars. It’s a way to create your next chapter.
A business that fits your life, not the other way around. You just need to start small, with structure and a willingness to build something that works while you’re still in the air.
If you’ve ever been in this position and wondered if you’re ready to take the next step, take our 3-minute self assessment checklist. It’ll help you figure out if you’re ready or not.
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!
