Financial Planning for Airline Pilots

Advice-Only, Fee-for-Service Planning for Aviation Professionals

A career in aviation is defined by precision, checklists, and managing complex systems. Your financial life requires the exact same approach.

Pilots face a unique financial flight path: a high income, a rigid mandatory retirement age, and a compensation structure involving block hours, per diems, and union-negotiated benefits. "Standard" financial advice often fails here because it assumes flexibility that you simply do not have.

You don't need a sales pitch. You need a co-pilot who understands the specific mechanics of your union contract, your pension options, and the hard reality of the Age 65 rule.

Why "Standard" Advice Misses the Approach

We find our aviation clients are masters of their craft but need a specialized partner to handle the variables that standard advisors often overlook:

• The "Hard Deck" (Age 65): Unlike other professionals, you cannot choose to "work a few more years" if the market dips or inflation spikes. Your career has a federally mandated expiration date. This makes precise, defensive planning non-negotiable.

• The "Bridge" Gap: Many pilots aim to retire well before 65. This creates a "cash-flow valley" between your last flight and the start of your full pension or government benefits. Funding this gap requires a specific strategy, not just general savings.

• Variable Altitudes: Your income isn't a flat salary. Between flight pay, per diems, and profit-sharing, your cash flow fluctuates. We help you turn variable income into consistent, long-term wealth.

Systems Check: An Analytical Approach

At Mountainview Planning, we specialize in clear, unbiased, advice-only financial planning.

We offer no products and take no commissions. Our incentives are aligned with yours: safety, efficiency, and reaching the destination. We analyze your finances with the same rigor you apply to a flight plan.

Our "Aviation Framework" Services

We have developed a specific planning protocol for pilots that focuses on:

• Pension Optimization: Whether you have a Defined Benefit plan or a Defined Contribution portfolio, we model the commuted value vs. monthly pension decision to ensure your biggest asset lands safely.

• "Loss of License" Integration: Your union (ALPA/ACPA) disability benefits are excellent, but complex. We review exactly how your specialized coverage integrates with your personal insurance to ensure you are protected against medical disqualification.

• The Retirement "Bridge" Fund: We design a specific drawdown strategy to fund the years between your early retirement (e.g., age 60) and the start of your statutory benefits, ensuring you don't deplete your capital too early.

• Tax Efficiency on High Income: With a high marginal tax rate, every dollar counts. We optimize your RRSP, TFSA, and non-registered accounts to minimize drag and maximize net worth.

You Don’t Fly Without a Flight Plan. Don’t Retire Without One.

Your career is dedicated to safety, precision, and navigating complex environments. Your financial plan deserves the same level of care.