#104 - Active vs. Passive: Storage Strategies from the Flight Deck with Michael Meylor

Passive Income Pilots

In this episode, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson sit down with Michael Meylor, a seasoned pilot and self-storage investor who has built an impressive portfolio without raising outside capital. Michael shares how he transitioned from military to commercial flying, how he and his wife started investing in single-family rentals, and why they pivoted to commercial self-storage. The episode covers everything from identifying the right-sized deals to financing with SBA loans, and even touches on family involvement, tax strategies, and the realities of active vs. passive investing.

Michael Meylor is a major airline pilot and former military aviator who has successfully built a self-funded real estate portfolio focused on self-storage facilities. With a background in tech and an MBA, Michael applied his analytical skills to real estate investing, scaling from single-family rentals to large commercial properties. Alongside his wife, he’s built a lean operation and shares practical insights into active investing, SBA loans, and family wealth-building strategies.

Show notes:

(0:00) Intro

(02:32) Overcoming fear of real estate investing

(06:21) Why self-storage and the first deal

(09:36) Adding value and refinancing strategy

(12:35) Learning financial modeling and analysis

(18:06) Where to get educated in self-storage

(23:34) Minimum viable size for self-storage

(27:11) Active investing: The reality check

(35:09) Why go active? The long-term upside

(45:22) Most surprising lesson from investing

(48:18) Outro

Connect with Michael Meylor:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-m-4588101a/
• Website: https://greenlightstorage.com/
• Email: [email protected]

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*Legal Disclaimer*

The content of this podcast is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson, and do not reflect those of any organization they are associated with, including Turbine Capital or Spartan Investment Group. The opinions of our guests are their own and should not be construed as financial advice. This podcast does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are advised to consult with their own legal or financial counsel and to conduct their own due diligence before making any financial decisions.