Ready 4 Pushback

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 fro…

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 …

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, hi…

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 A…

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 gro…

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 a…

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 …

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 bec…

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…

In this solo show, Nik reflects on one of the most overlooked yet critical parts of pilot development—reps. Whether you're learning to fly, prepping for an interview, or stepping into leadership, rep…

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…

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. …

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 le…

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 buil…

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. Ins…

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 L…

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-lif…

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 fu…

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 a…

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…