Ready 4 Pushback

When the interview invite finally lands in your inbox, excitement quickly turns into stress: "What documents do I actually need to bring?" In this episode, Nik Fialka walks you step-by-step through the essential paperwork you'll need to secure your dream airline job. From licenses and logbooks to transcripts, background checks, and even the dreaded FCC permit, Nik breaks it all down so you can sho...

In this episode Nik welcomes back Marty Medve, Delta Captain and President/CEO of Trident Home Loans. Marty shares his incredible journey of recovering from a serious eye injury, regaining his FAA medical, and returning to the flight deck—all while running one of the top VA lenders in the nation. Nik and Marty dive into the unique challenges pilots face when navigating mortgages and refinancing. F...

If you're on the path to the airlines, there's a good chance you'll face an assessment test along the way. These tests aren't just about checking your flying ability—they're designed to measure traits like decision-making, teamwork, and stress tolerance. In today's solo episode, Nik dives into what pilots need to know before sitting down for one of these crucial assessments. What You'll Learn in t...

This week, Nik sits down with his friend Man Phung for a two-part conversation that's as real as it gets. Man's path through aviation is full of twists, setbacks, and victories—and at the heart of it all is a powerful message: don't quit. Man fell in love with aviation as a kid in Hawaii, saving money as a teenager to earn most of his ratings before he even turned 18. But when the money ran out, h...

Every pilot dreams of that moment when the wheels lift off, the earth falls away, and the sky becomes home. But when it comes to landing your dream aviation job, skill in the cockpit isn't enough — it takes strategy on the ground. In this episode, Nik breaks down the art of the pilot resume. After reviewing more than a thousand real pilot resumes, he shares the top mistakes he sees and the top 10...

In this episode, Nik sits down with Michael Nixon, a flight attendant who is now preparing to begin his flight training to become a pilot. Michael's path hasn't been traditional—private security, marina work, a serious injury, and eventually the cabin—all of it shaped his drive to move toward the cockpit. Aviation is built on diverse backgrounds—military, civilian, international, first-generation...

Welcome back, pilots! Today, Nik is flying solo and diving deep into one of the most powerful qualities a pilot — or any leader — can have: GRIT. This episode unpacks why grit matters more than raw talent, how perseverance beats perfection, and what it takes to keep pushing when the skies get turbulent. From chair-flying one more rep to sending that next application, grit is the force that keeps y...

What happens when the unthinkable happens—and you crash an aircraft? For most pilots, it's the nightmare scenario we hope we'll never face. But for CDR AJ Edwards, U.S. Navy, it became reality. In this special extended episode, AJ takes us through the full journey: from the day of his helicopter mishap, to the intense investigations that followed, and ultimately, to how he rebuilt both his career...

In this solo episode, Nik shifts the focus from flying skills to life outside the cockpit. Too often, pilots struggle when asked to share something about themselves beyond aviation. Nik breaks down why that matters and how those personal stories can strengthen connections during meet-and-greets, interviews, and in the crew room. He walks through eight areas you can draw from—like community involve...

In this episode, Nik sits down with Air Force pilot Jared Butler, who shares his remarkable journey from flying in the backcountry of Idaho to operating the AC-130 gunship with Air Force Special Operations Command. Jared recounts high-stakes moments, including helping locate injured firefighters using low-altitude search patterns and riding out a sudden snowstorm at a one-way mountain airstrip. He...

In this solo episode Nik takes on an essential skill every pilot and leader must master: giving and receiving feedback. Drawing inspiration from a listener request, Nik explains how constructive feedback is the key to building trust, sharpening skills, and keeping crews safe. He compares feedback to ATC instructions—specific, timely, and critical to staying on course. Whether you're an instructor...

In this episode, Nik Fialka sits down with Joshua Lee, founder of RTAG (Rotary to Airline Group), about how the organization has grown to the point where it hosts the largest aviation convention in the U.S. RTAG's mission is simple: help veterans transition into aviation careers—not just as pilots, but across the entire industry. From scholarships to mentorship, RTAG connects veterans with opportu...

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...

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 per...

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 st...

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 f...

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 b...

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...

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 m...

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 pro...

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...

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 th...

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....

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 w...

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...