At 250 hours, I thought I was doing everything right.
I was instructing, logging time, and slowly climbing toward the magic number: 1,500 hours. The industry had me convinced that hitting that number would be the turning point. But I was wrong—and the price was paid in wasted time, missed opportunities, and burnout that nearly derailed my entire aviation path.
Looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight (and scars), here’s exactly what I’d do differently if I had to build from 250 to 1,500 all over again.
1. Stop Saying “Yes” to Every Hour
Early on, I said yes to everything—short hops, dead legs, sketchy aircraft, poorly maintained schedules. More hours = progress, right?
Wrong.
I should have prioritized quality over quantity. Multi-engine time, IFR-heavy routes, crew-style ops, and even some SIC time under Part 135 would’ve built a stronger, more marketable logbook.
Lesson: Be picky with your hours. Every entry in your logbook should move you closer to the job you actually want, not just the hour total.
2. Start Building a Network on Day One
You know what’s better than 1,500 hours?
A referral from someone who matters.
I waited too long to build genuine relationships with check airmen, DOs, charter pilots, and other instructors who had access to the right doors. Time-building is lonely when you’re trying to do it all yourself.
If I started over: I’d spend just as much time building a networking system as I did building flight time. Think: airport walk-ins, LinkedIn outreach, meetups, and follow-ups that go deeper than “Hey, just checking in.”
3. Treat Every Phase Like a Business
Most CFIs treat their job like a stepping stone. I did too. But once I started thinking like a business owner—tracking revenue per hour, minimizing downtime, retaining students longer—I tripled my income and cut months off my timeline.
Do this instead:
Track your income, expenses, and downtime like a CEO. Maximize dual given, offer stage checks or ground sessions, and build a waitlist by being findable online.
4. Create a Personal Brand (Yes, Even as a CFI)
No, you don’t need to become a TikTok star. But if I had just built a basic website, posted helpful tips for students, or even written a monthly blog, I could’ve turned my instructor role into an opportunity magnet.
Think: Flight schools asking you to join, not the other way around. DPEs knowing your name. Regional recruiters remembering your face.
5. Know When to Pivot
One of the hardest lessons?
Grinding isn’t always growing.
I hit 800 hours and felt stuck. Low pay. No leads. No momentum. What I needed wasn’t more time—it was betterstrategy.
I finally pivoted: part-time charter, networking at the airport, getting serious about job apps, and even hiring a coach. From there, my career took off.
Final Thought: Don’t Time-Build Alone
If I could give one piece of advice to every 250-hour pilot reading this:
Don’t go it alone.
You can time-build for years and still feel lost. Or you can learn from the pilots who’ve already made the mistakes—and get there faster.
About My Next 1500
My Next 1500 is the pilot companion program designed to help you go from student to professional—with less guesswork, more momentum, and a plan that actually works. Join a community of future captains building smarter, not just logging hours.
