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 experience instructing, upgrading, and mentoring pilots
• The realities of flying Metroliners with no autopilot in weather
• Corporate flying vs. airlines—and what companies really look for in interviews
• Honest advice for today’s CFIs and time-builders navigating a slow hiring market
• How to prepare now before the next wave of hiring begins

If you're a student pilot, CFI, or career changer, this conversation is full of wisdom, perspective, and timeless advice from someone who's been through the ups and downs of the aviation industry.

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