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PODCAST

Ready 4 Pushback

If you"re looking to enter the commercial aviation industry, we"ve got the right podcast for you! With pilot and interview coach Nik Fialka as your host, we will deliver exceptional and insightful content to help you understand the landscape of professional aviation. We will help you organize your thoughts, score interview points, and ace the aviation recruitment process. You will get a deep dive into all the facets of the aviation industry by hearing directly from leaders and recruiters. You"ll

leisure aviation

All Episodes

08:57

My Mistake

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/09/04

In this solo episode, Nik records live from OBAP 2025 and opens up about one of the biggest mistakes of his aviation career: letting entitlement and frustration hold him back. After transitioning from Navy helicopters to the airlines, Nik admits he carried the wrong attitude—expecting opportunities to come quickly instead of putting in the work. That mindset not only stalled his career growth but also bled into his home life and relationships. It wasn’t until a blunt conversation with a senior

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46:43

Opening Doors in Aviation - Embrace the Hustle

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/09/01

Episode 276: In this interview episode, Nik speaks with Army aviator Vinh Do about his path from military flying to pursuing a civilian aviation career. Vinh shares how he used his GI Bill, earned a fully funded ATP-CTP scholarship, and built flight hours while serving on active duty and in the Army National Guard. He also talks about moving to Alaska, how he found flying jobs by showing up in person, and what it’s like to fly in one of the most challenging and rewarding places in the U.S. Vinh's

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07:35

Pick Yourself Up

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/08/28

Welcome back! In this solo episode, Nik records live from OBAP 2025 in Tacoma, WA, and shares a powerful reminder for pilots at every stage of their career: give yourself grace. Between long days, high stakes, and the pressure to perform—whether at a conference, in training, or in the cockpit—it’s easy to stumble and even harder to forgive ourselves when we do. Nik uses a simple moment—a missed step, spilled coffee, and a stranger’s encouragement—to highlight the importance of self-compassion and

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32:12

2025 LPA Aerospace Industry Expo: A Conversation with...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/08/25

In this episode, Nik sits down once again with Claudia Zapata-Cardone, President of Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), to talk about career opportunities, representation, and the upcoming LPA Aerospace Industry Expo. Claudia shares why the organization expanded beyond pilots to include all aerospace professionals, and how mentorship, sponsorship, and scholarships are breaking down barriers for the next generation. She also opens up about overcoming self-doubt, the importance of not

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14:43

Aviation: Don't Go It Alone. Use the Pilot Pyramid.

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/08/21

Episode 273 - In this solo episode, Nik shares how a casual conversation with his wife, Anna, sparked a powerful idea now known as the Pilot Pyramid—a simple yet impactful framework to guide your growth, connection, and leadership throughout your aviation journey. He unpacks the three essential roles every pilot should develop in their network and explains how being intentional with each one can build stronger relationships, accelerate your learning, and replace ego with empathy. Whether you're

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21:38

International Pilot - Interviews from the Floor:...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/08/18

Episode 272 - In another episode from the floor of PAPA - Nik sits down with Ash, an international pilot currently flying the Airbus A320 for a major carrier based in Hong Kong. Ash shares a global aviation journey — from flight training in New Zealand to flying single-engine caravans in the mountainous terrain of Indonesia, and eventually landing a career with a world-class Asian airline. We dig into what it’s like flying internationally out of Hong Kong, how airline structures differ between Asia

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13:38

Episode 271 Hot Day, Hard Decisions

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/08/14

In this solo episode, Nik talks about a tough day at work when a broken APU and hot brake warning forced him to make the hard call to refuse an aircraft right before takeoff. He shares what happened behind the scenes—from managing the rising cabin temperature to coordinating with maintenance and keeping passengers informed. Nik explains why it's so important to speak up, trust your judgment, and make safety the top priority—even when it’s uncomfortable or causes delays. If you're training or already

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45:37

Episode 270 Failing Forward: Mark Paterson's Story of...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/08/11

Welcome back! In this episode, Nik sits down with Mark Paterson, a pilot who shares the full story of his aviation journey—from leaving a career in the restaurant industry to chasing his dream of becoming a professional pilot. Mark speaks candidly about the challenges of flight training, the pressure to perform at a Part 121 carrier, and the harsh reality of being sent home during the training process. But that isn't the end of his story. Mark opens up about how he rebuilt his confidence, regained

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58:13

You Won't Get This Information Anywhere Else!...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/08/08

In this episode, Nik Fialka gets an exclusive interview with Alan Johnson, VP of Operations, and Dina Payne, Senior Manager of Pilot Hiring at American Airlines, for a conversation centered on the AA hiring process—packed with insights valuable to anyone pursuing a career at a major airline. Together, they walk through what makes a standout application and resume, how to show up prepared for your interview, and what to expect during training once you're hired. They also dive into why

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10:38

Episode 267 Make Strong Decisions

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/31

In this solo episode, Nik shares a recent experience flying with a new First Officer on a long-duty day. After a long sit, worsening weather, and pressure to finish the trip, the FO spoke up and said he wasn’t comfortable taking off . . . and it was the right call. Nik walks through how that moment showed the importance of Crew Resource Management (CRM), especially when the pressure is high and the decision might be unpopular. He explains how clear communication, mutual respect, and knowing your

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40:40

Episode 266 Interviews from the Floor: Professional...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/28

Recorded live at the Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA) convention, this episode features two powerful conversations that shine a light on the global and deeply personal sides of aviation. First, Nik speaks with Captain Saurabh Chauksey, a 737 check airman for Air India. Saurabh shares his unique path from flight training in the U.S. to flying for one of India’s fastest-growing carriers. He offers insight into India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, what it’s like training and operating

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11:22

Episode 265 Virtue Through Habit

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/24

In this solo show, Nik shares a personal story from the flight line that highlights how small actions—like picking up a misplaced safety cone—can reflect who you are as a pilot. That simple moment led to a reflection on discipline, habits, and what it really means to build trust and professionalism in aviation. Drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle, Nik breaks down why success as a pilot comes from what you do every day—not just when you're in the spotlight. What You'll Learn: Why small, consistent

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30:00

Episode 264 Podcaster, Law Enforcement and Aspiring...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/21

Welcome back! In this episode, Nik talks with Jim Schilling, a passionate aviator, law enforcement professional, and host of the Flying Midwest and Fly the Transition podcasts. Jim shares how he built a meaningful aviation career outside the airlines by combining his flying goals with a full-time job and a love for storytelling. Jim talks about getting started in aviation after serving in the Air Force, why he’s pursuing his CFI despite medical limitations, and how podcasting became a creative

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09:45

Episode 263 The Waiting Place

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/17

In this solo episode, Nik talks about the trap that many aspiring and current pilots fall into: waiting. Waiting for the perfect time, the right opportunity, or for someone else to take the lead. Inspired by a reading of Oh, The Places You’ll Go! to his kids, Nik reflects on how easy it is to get stuck in “The Waiting Place” — and why it’s time to move. Nik shares a personal story of loss that reminds us just how short life can be and how important it is to act with purpose. If you've been holding

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24:21

Episode 262 Conversations from PAPA: Real Stories...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/14

Welcome back! In this special episode, guest host and fellow Spitfire Elite coach, Jason Batchelor, "JB", records live interviews from the Professional Asian Pilot's Association Convention floor in Las Vegas, NV. You'll hear honest, unscripted conversations with aspiring aviators—some just days into their airline journey, others preparing for a major transition after decades of military service. From rapid interview timelines to navigating a cold, stoic interview environment, Kelly shares her

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17:28

Episode 261 Do All the Things

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/11

Flying a fully loaded 757 with shifting weather and unexpected system faults isn’t the kind of day any pilot hopes for—but sometimes, it’s the one you get. In this solo episode, Nik shares a real-life flight that became a case study in slowing down, resetting, and leaning on your team. He walks us through a recent scenario that started with a simple maintenance issue during taxi-out but escalated into a near runway incursion. It’s easy to think, “That would never happen to me.” But after hearing

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33:33

Episode 260 Kenny Hyman Checks In. Amazing What...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/07

In this episode, Nik welcomes Kenny Hyman back to the podcast. The last time we heard from Kenny, he had just interviewed with American Airlines. Now, three years later, he’s flying the Airbus and full of perspective on how life has changed since leaving the military and the regionals behind. Nik and Kenny dig into everything from training and culture to contracts and cockpit challenges. Kenny shares what it was like transitioning from Navy to SkyWest and now to American Airlines, and how he’s

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09:01

Episode 259 Be Like Ben

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/07/03

In this solo episode, Nik shares a story about what it takes to succeed in today's competitive airline hiring environment. Sparked by a text from a friend and fellow Citadel alum who just landed an airline interview after years of hard work, Nik reflects on the mindset, preparation, and sacrifice required to stand out and seize the opportunity of a lifetime. Whether you're just beginning your aviation journey or you're deep in the hunt for a major airline job, this episode will remind you of the

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01:23:55

Ep 258: Behind Enemy Lines: A Desert Storm Combat...

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/06/30

You won't want to miss this tale of heroism and calm under pressure! In this episode, Nik sits back and lets Colonel (Retired) Scott “Vapor” Walsh share his experience as a young Marine Harrier pilot who was shot down behind enemy lines, his recovery process, and his return to flying. He also discusses his transition from military aviation to a career as a commercial airline captain and instructor. This episode provides insight into the challenges faced during combat, injury, and recovery, as well

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09:29

Episode 257 Having Impact

Ready 4 Pushback ·

2025/06/26

In this solo episode, Nik dives into one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of building a career in aviation - impact. Whether you’re a student pilot, CFI, or trying to move up to the majors, the question is the same: What separates you from everyone else? Nik shares a story about a young pilot named Will who took action, stepped into leadership, and created real value in his community. His decision to start a new Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA) chapter at his

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298 results

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