Shows / Ready 4 Pushback
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…
Episodes
Ready 4 PushbackMy Mistake
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…
Ready 4 PushbackOpening Doors in Aviation - Embrace the Hustle
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…
Ready 4 PushbackPick Yourself Up
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…
Ready 4 Pushback2025 LPA Aerospace Industry Expo: A Conversation with LPA President - Claudia Zapata-Cardone
In this episode, Nik sits down once again with Claudia Zapata-Cardone, President of Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), to talk about career…
Ready 4 PushbackAviation: Don't Go It Alone. Use the Pilot Pyramid.
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…
Ready 4 PushbackInternational Pilot - Interviews from the Floor: Professional Asian Pilot Association Expo 2025
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 271 Hot Day, Hard Decisions
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 270 Failing Forward: Mark Paterson's Story of Failure and Recovery
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…
Ready 4 PushbackYou Won't Get This Information Anywhere Else! Straight Talk from American Airlines Leadership.
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 267 Make Strong Decisions
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 266 Interviews from the Floor: Professional Asian Pilot Association Expo 2025
Recorded live at the Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA) convention, this episode features two powerful conversations that shine a light on the global…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 265 Virtue Through Habit
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 264 Podcaster, Law Enforcement and Aspiring CFI: Jim Schilling's Aviation Journey
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 263 The Waiting Place
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 262 Conversations from PAPA: Real Stories from the Conference Floor
Welcome back! In this special episode, guest host and fellow Spitfire Elite coach, Jason Batchelor, "JB", records live interviews from the Professional Asian…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 261 Do All the Things
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 260 Kenny Hyman Checks In. Amazing What Changes in Just Three Years!
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 259 Be Like Ben
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 258: Behind Enemy Lines: A Desert Storm Combat Story You Won't Believe!
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 257 Having Impact
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…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 256 Funding the Dream: Mastering Aviation Scholarships with Cherry Kan
Nik is back! In this episode, he sits down with Cherry Kan—an international student and first-generation pilot whose aviation journey is anything but ordinary…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 255 Pilots Struggle with Self-Awareness
In this solo episode, Nik Fialka dives deep into one of the most underrated skills in aviation—and life: self-awareness. Drawing from personal reflection, his…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 254 Flight Plan to Homeownership: A Pilot's Guide to Home Loans with Marty Medve
Why this could be the perfect time to buy a home, even though lending rates are higher than they have been in the last several years. Benefit of having a…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 253 Do the Hard Work, Then Enjoy the Day
Welcome back! In this solo episode, Nik Fialka shares a glimpse into his fulfilling (yet sometimes chaotic) home life, including a special cameo from his…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 252 Flying Through Setbacks: A Story of Grit with Arthur Walley
In this inspiring episode, Nik chats with Arthur "Art" Walley, who shares the winding journey that took him from enlisting in the Marine Corps out of high…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 251 How Your Journey Starts DOES NOT Define How It Ends
Nik Fialka is back and opens up about setbacks, self-doubt, and the long road to success in aviation. Whether you're a student struggling in training, a…
Ready 4 PushbackEpisode 250 From Zero to ATP by 21: Mason Jackson's Fast-Track Flight Path
What does it take to become a 21-year-old with an ATP and a CJO in hand? In this interview, Mason Jackson joins Nik Fialka to break down his journey from high…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 249 It's Hard to See the Road...When You're On It
In this solo episode, host Nik Fialka reflects on the perseverance, purpose, and the long journey to becoming a professional pilot. Drawing inspiration from…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 248 Flight Plan Interrupted: A Midlife Journey from Runway to Recovery
GO FUND ME: https://gofund.me/bf973f3f In this emotional and motivating episode, host Nik Fialka welcomes Trent Dyrsmid—known to many from "Fly With Trent"—to…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 247 Suck Your Thumb or Get After It!
Host Nik Fialka shares a motivational solo episode, challenging pilots to take control of their aviation careers by becoming action-takers rather than sitting…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 246 Fit to Fly: A Pilot's Guide to Fitness and Nutrition
Host Nik Fialka sits down with Lashea Bacon, founder of Mile High Health Club, to explore the often-overlooked topic of pilot wellness. As both an airline…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 245 Life is Great...Chaos: Thriving in an Unpredictable World
In this solo episode, host Nik Fialka dives into the unavoidable chaos of life and aviation, exploring how embracing unpredictability can lead to personal and…
Ready 4 PushbackEp. 244 Wrenches, Waves, and Warbirds: Maintaining Naval Air Dominance in WWII
Welcome back to Ready 4 Pushback! Host Nik Fialka welcomes Stan Fisher — Naval Academy professor, PhD, aviator, and author of Sustaining the Carrier War — for…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 243 Anna Talks Chickens: Finding Fulfillment Even with Ruffled Feathers
In this episode of Ready 4 Pushback, Anna Fialka—Nick's wife—takes the mic and reflects on finding creativity and connection amid the structure of aviation and…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 242 What's a Pilot Union? Inside ALPA's World of Negotiations, Grievances, and Support
In this episode, Nik Fialka sits down with Tom Cross of ALPA—the largest union for airline pilots—to pull back the curtain on union life. Together, they cover…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 241 Asking Questions: The Secret to Building Relationships in Your Career and Beyond
Nik Fialka is back and shares a powerful reflection from a recent trip with a fellow pilot—one where the conversation never turned into a true connection. The…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 240 The Recruiter's Playbook: Key Tactics to Shine at Airline Networking Events
In this episode, Nik Fialka sits down with "Jimmy"—a recruiter from a major airline—to delve into what it takes for pilots to make a lasting impression during…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 239 Lean Into A Challenge: Why Taking Action Makes You A Better Pilot
In this motivating solo episode, host Nik Fialka explores what it means to lean into the challenges that come with an aviation career. Challenges are constant…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 238 Time-Building, Failure, and Focus: One Pilot's Real Journey
In this candid and motivating episode, Nik Fialka sits down with Tyler Wyman, a bartender and aspiring pilot who is carving his own path through flight…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 237 Just Keep Swimming: Navigating Uncertainty Without Losing Sight of the Dream
In this episode of Ready for Pushback, host Nik Fialka reflects on a recent conversation with a close friend who's battling the fear and uncertainty of…
Ready 4 PushbackEP 235: The Life-Changing Aviation Camp That's Transforming the Industry!
In this episode, we sit down with flight instructor and dedicated volunteer Sarah Bauermeister to discuss her journey in aviation and her passionate…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 234. Practice Makes Permanent: The Secret to Flying, Training, and Interviewing
Welcome back to Ready for Pushback! Today, Nick Fialka dives into a game-changing insight from Spitfire coach Jason Batchelor: "Practice Makes Permanent."…
Ready 4 PushbackEP 233: Pilots, Don't Ignore This! The Medical Battle That Almost Ended a Career
Former Army Black Hawk pilot and airline captain Ross McClure shares his deeply personal story of struggling with a back injury that nearly ended his flying…
Ready 4 PushbackEP 232. Pilot Career Survival Guide: Smart Strategies for Your Pilot Career
The aviation industry is full of opportunities—but many pilots struggle to find the right path. Whether you're just starting flight school, transitioning from…
- Ready 4 Pushback
Ep 231: Stop Making These Resume Mistakes: Hiring Hacks from an Industry Recruiter
Struggling to get hired as a pilot? In this episode, Ralyn Wheeler shares her journey from estate management to aviation and her role as a Part 135 pilot…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 230: Stop Flying on Autopilot! Take Control of Your Aviation Future
In this episode, we dive into the dynamic and evolving world of aviation, and learn to reflect on the continuous growth and learning that come with every…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 229: Mastering the Skies: Phillip Cooke's passion for aviation and Flight Simulators
Phillip Cooke, a pilot for Air Transport International (ATI), shares his journey from flight simulation enthusiast to professional aviator. Growing up with a…
Ready 4 PushbackWant to be a more successful and inspire others? Start leading like this!
In this episode, we explore the power of humility in leadership—how standing with others rather than above them transforms teams, fosters growth, and creates…
Ready 4 PushbackJustin Ritter, United Airlines Chief of Hiring, explains how to get hired in 2025!
In this episode, we sit down with Justin Ritter, United Airlines' Chief of Hiring, to uncover exactly what it takes to land a pilot job at United in 2025…
Ready 4 PushbackEP 227: Behind the Scenes of Metro Aviation's Air Ambulance Operations with Director John Vance
John Vance, Director of Operations at Metro Aviation, shares his journey from leaving the military for one of the top air ambulance providers. He discusses how…
Ready 4 PushbackEp226: Run Your Own Race: Why Comparing Yourself Holds You Back
Aviation hiring can feel overwhelming, especially in a competitive market. But comparing yourself to others won't help—you need to focus on your own progress…
Ready 4 PushbackEp 225: Chasing the Dream: How Tom Pinit Built His Career One Flight at a Time
Tom Pinit's path to becoming a pilot was anything but conventional. As the son of Thai immigrants, he grew up believing he couldn't be a pilot due to vision…
Ready 4 PushbackEp224: Your Aviation Future Depends on It: How to Prepare and Ask Questions That Matter
Navigating a career in aviation requires more than just flying skills—it takes research, mentorship, and preparation. In this episode, we explore how talking…
Ready 4 PushbackEp223: From the ER to the Cockpit: Matt's Path to the Airlines
Matt Hevey always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but a vision impairment in his left eye led him to believe it was impossible. Instead, he pursued a career as an…
Ready 4 PushbackEp222. Military to Civilian Aviation: Building Your Career with the Right Strategy
Leaving the military and stepping into the aviation industry can be stressful, but with the right preparation, you can make the transition smoother and more…
Ready 4 PushbackEp221: From Pakistan's Skies to U.S. Airways: Talal's unstoppable determination in Aviation
Talal Janjua's aviation journey is one of resilience, sacrifice, and determination. A former Pakistan Army pilot, Talal moved to the U.S. with no set plans for…
Ready 4 PushbackEp220: The Best Route to Becoming a Pilot: Training Paths, ATP Requirements, and Career Considerations
Not all flight training paths are the same—so how do you choose the best one for your goals? In this solo episode, Nik breaks down the different routes to…
Ready 4 PushbackEp219 : ATP-CTP and Type Ratings: How Flight Training International Prepares You for Success
ATP-CTP is a critical step toward becoming an airline pilot, but how do you prepare for it and make the most of your training? In this episode, Dan Wilborn…
Ready 4 PushbackEp218: Flying with Wisdom: Why Prudence and Virtue Make You a Better Pilot
Summary Good pilots don't just react—they think ahead, assess risks, and make informed decisions. In this episode, we explore the role of prudence in aviation…
Ready 4 PushbackEp217: Earning your ATP and Type Rating: The Preparation, the Challenges and Keys to Success
Getting your ATP is just the beginning—standing out in today's competitive airline hiring process requires preparation, professionalism, and the right mindset…