
#110 - The IRA Club Advantage: The Self-Directed IRA Strategy for Pilots with Ramez Fakhoury
05/13/25 • 54 min
In this episode, hosts Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson welcome Ramez Fakhoury from IRA Club. This episode dives into how pilots can unlock old 401(k)s, TSPs, and HSAs for real estate and other alternative investments. Hear a detailed story of a Southwest pilot transitioning to American Airlines and learn what decisions made the biggest impact. Whether you're changing airlines or just seeking better returns, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
Ramez Fakhoury is the Vice President of IRA Club, a leading self-directed IRA custodian. With a background in hospitality and entrepreneurship, Ramez discovered a passion for alternative investing and now helps individuals unlock their retirement capital for real estate and other private assets. His practical approach and deep knowledge make complex financial strategies accessible for pilots and high-income earners.
Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(01:07) Introduction to Ramez and IRA Club
(04:49) Three options when leaving an airline
(06:11) True vs. false self-direction explained
(10:27) Why you shouldn't rush rollover decisions
(14:39) What you can't invest in with IRAs
(20:48) Why IRA Club's structure stands out
(27:42) Contribution limits vs. rollover power
(38:56) Partnering personal and retirement funds
(46:59) Real estate in IRAs: tax pros and cons
(51:20) Outro
Connect with Ramez:
Website: https://www.iraclub.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ira-club/
—
You've found the number one resource for financial education for aviators! Please consider leaving a rating and sharing this podcast with your colleagues in the aviation community, as it can serve as a valuable resource for all those involved in the industry.
Remember to subscribe for more insights at PassiveIncomePilots.com! https://passiveincomepilots.com/
Join our growing community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passivepilots
Check us out on Instagram @PassiveIncomePilots: https://www.instagram.com/passiveincomepilots/
Follow us on X @IncomePilots: https://twitter.com/IncomePilots
Get our updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passive-income-pilots/
Do you have questions or want to discuss this episode? Contact us at [email protected]
See you on the next one!
*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.
In this episode, hosts Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson welcome Ramez Fakhoury from IRA Club. This episode dives into how pilots can unlock old 401(k)s, TSPs, and HSAs for real estate and other alternative investments. Hear a detailed story of a Southwest pilot transitioning to American Airlines and learn what decisions made the biggest impact. Whether you're changing airlines or just seeking better returns, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
Ramez Fakhoury is the Vice President of IRA Club, a leading self-directed IRA custodian. With a background in hospitality and entrepreneurship, Ramez discovered a passion for alternative investing and now helps individuals unlock their retirement capital for real estate and other private assets. His practical approach and deep knowledge make complex financial strategies accessible for pilots and high-income earners.
Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(01:07) Introduction to Ramez and IRA Club
(04:49) Three options when leaving an airline
(06:11) True vs. false self-direction explained
(10:27) Why you shouldn't rush rollover decisions
(14:39) What you can't invest in with IRAs
(20:48) Why IRA Club's structure stands out
(27:42) Contribution limits vs. rollover power
(38:56) Partnering personal and retirement funds
(46:59) Real estate in IRAs: tax pros and cons
(51:20) Outro
Connect with Ramez:
Website: https://www.iraclub.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ira-club/
—
You've found the number one resource for financial education for aviators! Please consider leaving a rating and sharing this podcast with your colleagues in the aviation community, as it can serve as a valuable resource for all those involved in the industry.
Remember to subscribe for more insights at PassiveIncomePilots.com! https://passiveincomepilots.com/
Join our growing community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passivepilots
Check us out on Instagram @PassiveIncomePilots: https://www.instagram.com/passiveincomepilots/
Follow us on X @IncomePilots: https://twitter.com/IncomePilots
Get our updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passive-income-pilots/
Do you have questions or want to discuss this episode? Contact us at [email protected]
See you on the next one!
*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.
Previous Episode

#109 - The Flight Plan for Syndications: Risk, Returns, and Real Wealth
In this episode, hosts Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson deliver an in-depth, pilot-friendly primer on syndications and passive real estate investing. They break down the risk spectrum from core to opportunistic deals, while sharing real-world analogies and experiences from their own projects, like the Canyon City land entitlement.
Learn how to properly evaluate risk-adjusted returns, the importance of DSCR vs LTV, and what preferred return really means in a syndication waterfall. This episode is a must-listen for high-income professionals looking to navigate passive investing with clarity and confidence.
Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(02:23) Active vs passive investing explained
(04:03) Is syndication risky? Understanding real risk
(05:22) Core, Core Plus, Value Add, Opportunistic defined
(10:11) Operational vs physical value-add
(13:35) What are risk-adjusted returns?
(17:19) How leverage impacts risk
(20:02) DSCR vs LTV: What's more important?
(22:59) Preferred return vs cash flow
(33:50) What is an accredited investor?
(38:55) Outro
—
You've found the number one resource for financial education for aviators! Please consider leaving a rating and sharing this podcast with your colleagues in the aviation community, as it can serve as a valuable resource for all those involved in the industry.
Remember to subscribe for more insights at PassiveIncomePilots.com! https://passiveincomepilots.com/
Join our growing community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passivepilots
Check us out on Instagram @PassiveIncomePilots: https://www.instagram.com/passiveincomepilots/
Follow us on X @IncomePilots: https://twitter.com/IncomePilots
Get our updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/passive-income-pilots/
Do you have questions or want to discuss this episode? Contact us at [email protected]
See you on the next one!
*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.
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