Ready 4 Pushback

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…

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 t…

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. With grit, community support, and relen…

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 experience coaching pilots, and insights…

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 lender that understands pilot pay: Not all le…

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 two-year-old son. Between playing zone defens…

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 school and deploying to Iraq to the cockpit …

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 regional pilot facing turbulence, or someone n…

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 school to flight school to the cusp of b…

In this solo episode, host Nik Fialka reflects on the perseverance, purpose, and the long journey to becoming a professional pilot. Drawing inspiration from the grueling 21-day stage races of profess…

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In this emotional and motivating episode, host Nik Fialka welcomes Trent Dyrsmid—known to many from "Fly With Trent"—to share his remarkable journey from entrep…

Host Nik Fialka shares a motivational solo episode, challenging pilots to take control of their aviation careers by becoming action-takers rather than sitting back and feeling discouraged. Drawing in…

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 pilot and certified personal trainer, Lashea…

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 professional growth. From messy kitchens…

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 a deep dive into the untold story of air…

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 parenting. Using her family’s adventure…

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 everything from the basics of union memb…

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 key takeaway? Asking questions matters. …

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 meet-and-greets. Jimmy shares the critic…

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 and unavoidable, but how you face them d…