Over the past year, I've built what I call a "one-man aviation business" using AI agents and smart automation, generating passive income through iOS apps, KDP publishing, and digital products while maintaining my commercial flying career.
The Problem: Time vs. Opportunity
As a commercial pilot with 369.5 hours (AMEL/IR), my schedule is unpredictable. One week I'm flying back-to-back trips, the next I have unexpected downtime. Traditional business models require consistent time investment—something pilots rarely have. I needed a side hustle automation strategy that could work whether I was at 35,000 feet or grounded for weather.
The aviation industry is full of entrepreneurial pilots, but most struggle with the same problem: how do you scale a business when your primary career demands irregular hours and complete focus? The answer isn't working harder—it's working smarter with AI productivity tools.
Enter AI Agents: My Digital Workforce
My breakthrough came when I discovered OpenClaw and started experimenting with AI agents like Talos. These aren't just chatbots—they're sophisticated automation tools that can handle complex, multi-step business processes without constant supervision.
OpenClaw: The Command Center
OpenClaw serves as my central nervous system for business operations. I use it to:
- Content Creation: Generate blog posts, social media content, and marketing copy for my aviation products
- Customer Service: Automatically respond to inquiries about my study guides and apps
- Market Research: Analyze aviation trends and identify new product opportunities
- Project Management: Track progress on multiple income streams simultaneously
Talos: The Heavy Lifter
While OpenClaw handles coordination, Talos tackles the heavy lifting:
- Code Generation: Helps develop and maintain my iOS app, FeedFare
- Publishing Workflow: Automates the formatting and uploading process for my KDP aviation study guides
- SEO Optimization: Ensures my content ranks well for aviation-related keywords
- Analytics: Tracks performance across all revenue streams and suggests improvements
Building Multiple Revenue Streams
The beauty of AI business automation is its ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Here's how I've diversified my aviation business:
FeedFare: Digital Wellness for Pilots
My iOS app, FeedFare, started as a personal project to help pilots manage information overload during study sessions. Using AI, I was able to:
- Rapidly prototype features based on user feedback
- Automate beta testing workflows
- Generate App Store optimization content
- Handle customer support inquiries
The app now serves hundreds of student pilots who need focused, distraction-free study environments. AI handles most of the backend operations, allowing me to focus on strategic decisions and user experience improvements.
KDP Publishing: Aviation Study Guides
My collection of aviation study guides on Amazon KDP has become a steady income source. AI automation handles:
- Content Research: Identifying gaps in existing study materials
- Formatting: Converting my expertise into professionally formatted study guides
- Marketing: Creating compelling product descriptions and keyword strategies
- Updates: Keeping materials current with changing regulations
The one-man business model works because AI can process regulatory updates faster than any human, ensuring my guides stay current while I'm focused on flying.
YouTube: "Late to the Left Seat"
My YouTube channel documents my journey from lower-time pilot to building multiple aviation businesses. AI assists with:
- Content Planning: Suggesting topics based on trending aviation discussions
- Script Writing: Helping structure complex technical topics for general audiences
- SEO Optimization: Ensuring videos rank well in aviation-related searches
- Thumbnail Creation: Generating eye-catching visuals that drive clicks
The Systems That Make It Work
Success with AI productivity isn't just about having powerful tools—it's about creating systems that work even when you're not available.
Morning Routine Automation
Every morning at 0500 (or whenever I wake up in a different time zone), my AI systems:
- Check overnight sales and customer inquiries
- Generate priority task lists based on current projects
- Update social media with relevant aviation content
- Analyze performance metrics from the previous day
Flight Day Protocols
When I'm scheduled to fly, my AI agents:
- Put customer service on auto-respond mode
- Continue content creation workflows
- Monitor for urgent issues that need human intervention
- Prepare daily summaries for review during layovers
Recovery Day Focus
On days off, I review AI-generated recommendations and focus on high-value activities that only humans can do: strategic planning, relationship building, and creative problem-solving.
The Financial Reality
In 2025, my side hustle automation generated enough passive income to cover my monthly living expenses. This wasn't luck—it was the result of systematically applying AI to scale human expertise.
Revenue Breakdown:
- FeedFare iOS App: 35% of total revenue
- KDP Study Guides: 40% of total revenue
- YouTube/Affiliate Marketing: 25% of total revenue
The key insight: AI doesn't replace pilot expertise—it amplifies it. My aviation knowledge remains the foundation, but AI handles the operational complexity that previously prevented scaling.
Lessons Learned
Building a one-man aviation business taught me that success isn't about working more hours—it's about leveraging technology to multiply your impact.
Key Principles:
- Start Small, Scale Smart: Begin with one well-defined problem (like study guide formatting) and expand systematically
- Automate Repeatedly: If you do something more than twice, create an AI workflow for it
- Maintain Quality: AI speeds up production, but human oversight ensures quality remains high
- Stay Pilot-Focused: Never lose sight of serving the aviation community's real needs
Your Turn: Getting Started with AI Business Automation
You don't need to be a tech expert to start building your own AI-powered side hustle. The tools exist today, and the aviation community is hungry for innovative solutions to age-old problems.
Whether you're a CFI looking to scale instruction, an airline pilot with entrepreneurial dreams, or a maintenance professional with specialized knowledge, AI can help you build systems that work around your aviation schedule.
The future belongs to pilots who embrace both traditional aeronautical skills and modern digital tools. The question isn't whether AI will transform aviation businesses—it's whether you'll be leading that transformation or watching from the sidelines.
Ready to build your own AI-powered aviation business? Download my complete automation blueprint and join hundreds of pilots who are already building location-independent income streams. Your next layover could be the start of your entrepreneurial journey.