PODCAST · leisure
Ready 4 Pushback
by Nik Fialka
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 learn how to stay composed and articulate yourself with impact as we uncover airline-specific pilot selection demands, analyze the aviation industry's culture, and give you great interview advice.Listen to the Ready 4 Pushback podcast to transform yourself and gain valuable perspective about your dream job!
Episodes
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Ep 392 Are You Jaded
What happens when the dream of flying starts to feel like just another job? This episode is a reminder for pilots to break the cycle of negativity before cynicism takes over. Discover how to protect your passion, find the moments that make aviation incredible, and stay grateful for the privilege…
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Ep 391 Stop Pitching, Start Connecting
Think your next aviation opportunity comes from a perfect elevator pitch? Think again. Adam Uhan, co-founder of The Pilot Network, joins us to break down why authentic conversations, mentorship, and genuine relationships can open more doors than simply selling yourself. From airline conferences…
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Ep 390 Train Your Mind with Stress Inoculation
You don't get to choose the day everything goes wrong in the cockpit. Are you ready for it? In this episode, Nik breaks down how pilots can train their minds to stay effective when stress, workload, and multiple threats start stacking up. From simulator failures and check rides to real-world...
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Ep 387 Fly Better, Fly Safer: The Power of Aerobatic Training
Rob Dumovic joins us to explore how aerobatic training can make pilots more confident, capable, and safer. From competition aerobatics to upset prevention and recovery, Rob explains why learning to operate outside your comfort zone builds a stronger pilot. We dive into mentorship, understanding…
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Ep 386 The Fun is Getting There
The fun isn't just reaching the left seat, the major airline, or the next big milestone. It's the journey getting there. Flying is hard. Training, check rides, self-doubt, long hours, and constant learning are all part of becoming a professional pilot. If you're feeling stuck, discouraged, or...
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Ep 388 Be Ready to Pivot
Your airline career can change overnight. Are you prepared if it does? In this episode, Nik breaks down the practical steps pilots can take now, from keeping logbooks and applications current to maintaining their professional network. Learn why preparing for a Plan B isn't betting against your...
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Ep 389 The Power of the Pilot Network
Your next aviation opportunity might come from the pilot sitting next to you. Nik sits down with Haley Ageton, Air Force C-130 pilot, United pilot, and Spitfire Elite coach, to talk about the power of relationships in aviation. From military camaraderie and transitioning to the airlines to…
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Ep 385 United Airlines Pilot Hiring: What Recruiters REALLY Look For in 2026
Nik Fialka sits down with Justin Ritter, Director of Pilot Hiring at United Airlines, for an inside look at what it really takes to get hired in 2026. United is hiring, but the competition is real. Justin breaks down what recruiters are seeing, what makes a pilot stand out, and how to maximize…
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Ep 384 When You're a Pilot, You've Gotta Have a Plan
In this episode of Ready 4 Pushback, we dive into one of the most important habits a pilot can develop: having a plan before you ever get to the runway. When do you slow down? When do you configure? What does "stable" actually look like? And what do you do when the approach isn't going according…
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Ep 383 Pilots Are Getting Hired! How to Win at RTAG 2026
Joshua Lee, President of RTAG, joins Nik Fialka for an inside look at the veteran aviation community and the RTAG National Convention. They break down how pilots, maintainers, and aviation professionals can turn military experience into career opportunities across the industry. Joshua shares...
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Ep 382 Desire: A Pilot's Career Hack
What does it really take to become an airline pilot? Nik Fialka explores the desire, discipline, and persistence behind a career in aviation. From flight school and checkrides to airline interviews, setbacks, and the path to the major airlines, success takes more than talent. Whether you're a...
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Ep 381 The Logbook Mistakes Pilots Need to Know About
Your pilot logbook is more than a record of flight time. Nik Fialka sits down with Airos founder David Spektor to discuss common logbook mistakes, airline applications, and why accurate flight records matter. Learn how digital logbooks, ADS-B and FAA data can simplify flight logging while helping...
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Ep 380 Speaking Into People. Be the Positive Change.
Your words have the power to build confidence or create fear, especially when you're leading, teaching, or mentoring another pilot. In this solo episode, Nik shares why great leaders speak life into others and focus on building people up, not tearing them down. Discover how small, intentional…
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Ep 379 LPA 2026: Amazing Career Opportunities in Aviation and Aerospace
In this episode, Claudia Zapata Cardone, President of Latino Professionals in Aerospace (LPA), joins us to preview the 2026 LPA Aerospace Industry Expo and the opportunities it creates for aviation professionals. We discuss airline recruiting, scholarships, mentorship, and the growing need for...
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Ep 378 OBAP '26 The Path to American Airlines from Somone Who Knows!
Alan Johnson, Vice President of Flight Operations at American Airlines, joins us for an inspiring conversation on aviation, leadership, and career growth. Alan shares his perspective on pilot hiring, interview preparation, mentorship, and what it really takes to build a career at a major airline....
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Ep 377 Beyond the Checklist: How Great Pilots Think Under Pressure
What separates a pilot who can run a checklist from one who can actually manage the airplane when things go sideways? Nik sits down with airline captain and instructor Graeme Perry to unpack the nine core competencies, decision-making under pressure, shared mental models, and the knowledge pilots...
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Ep 376 Solo Checkride Complete! What to Avoid at all Costs!
The checkride isn't just about knowing your stuff, it's about how you perform when things start coming at you. After last week's nerves and preparation in Episode 374, Nik is back with the full debrief: simulator ermergencies, unexpected "gotchas," and the power of turning two pilots into one…
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Ep 375 The Power of the Pivot
When Plan A falls apart, that's when the real journey begins. Harry Yi shares his journey through rejection, unexpected opportunities, and the decisions that shaped a career he truly values. From military aviation to dispatching and instructing future dispatchers at Flight Innovation...
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Ep 374 Checkrides Make You Nervous?
Checkrides can bring out nerves in even the most experienced pilots, but fear doesn't have to take the controls. In this episode, Nik Fialka shares his own pre-checkride anxiety and the mindset that helps him turn preparation into confidence. The key? Trust your training, trust your reps, and...
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Ep 370 Solo A Good Plan to Get Where You Want to Be
A good plan today beats a perfect plan next week, especially when preparation becomes procrastination. Nik explores the fine line between being truly ready and getting trapped in analysis paralysis. Learn how overplanning can steal your confidence, momentum, and opportunities for growth. Discover...
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Ep 373 How to Build Hours, Build Relationships and Build a Career
The best aviation opportunities often come from the relationships you build long before you're ready for the job. In this episode, Vinh Do returns to share how moving to Alaska helped launch the next chapter of his aviation career. He discusses building more than 400 flight hours, upgrading to...
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Ep 372 The Art of Happiness
Happiness in aviation isn't found in the next promotion, paycheck, or aircraft. It's built through the habits and mindset you choose every day. In this solo episode, Nik shares why fulfillment comes from strong foundations like faith, family, relationships, and purpose, not just career…
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Ep 371 From Division I Athlete to Air Force Two: Saj El Amin's Aviation Journey
Saj El Amin never planned to become a pilot until one conversation changed the course of his life. From flying C-17 missions around the world to serving as an Air Force Two pilot transporting the Vice President and senior U.S. leaders, his military career was anything but ordinary. Now a United...
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Ep 369 Dating Advice to Ace Your Airline Interview
What do first dates and airline interviews have in common? More than you think. Dating and relationship coach Lauren Mathues shares why authenticity, confidence, and real connection create lasting first impressions. Learn how to overcome self-doubt, connect with recruiters, and stop trying to...
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Ep 368 Naked in Public
The biggest mistake on your application isn't failure. It's hiding it. Hiding failures creates doubt and can cost you the opportunity. Learn how transparency can strengthen your airline interview and career. This episode explains why integrity is your greatest competitive advantage. CONNECT WITH…
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Ep 367 When One Airline Closed, Another Door Opened
Former Spirit pilot Steffany shares her journey from cargo flying to the Airbus flight deck, what made Spirit's culture so special, and how she navigated the uncertainty of the airline's closure. She discusses interview preparation, networking, logbook organization, and how those efforts led to...
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Ep 365 Out of the Tower Into the Cockpit: Ben Lobaugh's Jump from ATC to JSX
Nik sits down with Ben Lobaugh, a former FAA air traffic controller and now a First Officer at JSX, to discuss how he left a stable FAA career to get back into the cockpit. Ben shares what ultimately drove his decision to make the leap, including staffing pressures, pay trade-offs, recency...
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Ep 364 The Summer Slump: What to Do When Hiring Slows and Everything Feels Like It's on Hold
Summer hiring slowdowns can feel frustrating, but delays don't always mean your career has stalled. Learn how to stay current, prepare for training, and keep your options open while waiting for class dates. Discover why treating uncertainty as part of the process—not the end of it—gives you a...
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Ep 363 Flying Flexjet Worldwide, The Honest Details
Flexjet captain Zach DiGiovanni returns to give an honest, detailed look at life flying in the international large‑cabin program at a 91K/135 fractional. He breaks down the Red Label model, schedule structure, and what pilots can really expect from days on and days off, especially with a young...
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Ep 361 Inside Medevac: The Real Life of a HEMS Pilot
Nate "Kiwi" Jaenichen joins Nik for an inside look at helicopter emergency medical services, from base operations and single-pilot flying to the reality of a seven-on/seven-off schedule. Drawing on his military rotor-wing background, he shares what led him to air ambulance flying and what the...
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Ep 360 Key to a Great Interview: Don't Close Past the Sale
Nik breaks down why pilots tend to talk themselves out of strong interview answers by "closing past the sale." He explains how over‑explaining and filling silence can cause interviewers to lose interest, even when you start with a solid response. You'll learn how to balance brevity and substance,...
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Ep 359 From Canvas to Cockpit: Jakhar's Path from Artist to Pilot
Jakhar Yunussov, a Kazakhstani pilot known as "@artmonster_" on Instagram, joins Nik to share his unique journey from art school to an architecture degree to his upcoming Airbus training. He reflects on his transition into aviation, including the challenge of rapidly advancing his English and...
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Ep 358 The Aviation Imbalance: Finding Time, Being Present
Nik unpacks what it really means for pilots to be present with their families despite long overnights, junior schedules, and constant transitions. He contrasts airline life with his former corporate consulting job, showing how pilot schedules can actually create deeper presence at home when used...
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Ep 357 Perseverance Through Failure with Tim Manley
Tim Manley, a current Part 135 pilot, joins Nik to discuss his journey - one shaped by setbacks, resilience, and growth. He emphasizes the value of persevering through failure and turning those moments into opportunities to learn and improve. With his faith, support from his wife, and an ability…
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Ep 355 The Future of Flight Training
Donald Maloy of Maloy Aircraft joins Nik to share his vision for a more streamlined path from zero experience to becoming an airline-ready pilot. Drawing on his background as a Naval Aviator, he explains how the structure, standards, and consistency of military flight training could translate to...
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Ep 354 Think Before You Talk: Applying Radio Discipline to Pilot Interview
Nik returns in this solo show with a clear message: think before you speak. While that advice applies in the air with the push-to-talk switch, it's just as critical in an interview setting. Rather than relying on improvisation in the moment, he encourages preparing in advance: identifying key...
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Ep 353 Flying Paychecks into Property Wealth with Marty Medve
In this Ready for Pushback episode, Nik reconnects with wide‑body captain and Trident Home Loans owner Marty Medve to talk about building a financial legacy beyond the cockpit. Marty breaks down how today's high rates, low inventory, and hot pilot hubs shape decisions around first homes, second...
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Ep 352 Solo Sick With Envy
On today's solo episode, Nik draws on a powerful excerpt from John Steinbeck to highlight the excellence, discipline, and consistency demanded of aviation professionals. While today's pilots may differ from the Vietnam-era aviators who left Steinbeck "sick with envy," the standard of mastery...
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Ep 351 Commanding a Navy Reserve Squadron with Ted Kyriopoulos
In this special on-location episode, Nik sits down with Ted Kyriopoulos, Commanding Officer of the VR-58 "Sun Seekers," moments after his change-of-command ceremony at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. Ted shares his aviation journey – from early flights in a Cessna as a teenager to flying the...
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Ep 350 Know When to Stop Talking in an Interview
Nik is back today with a simple reminder: don't talk too much in an interview. Rambling can create confusion, invite contradictions, and sometimes signal a lack of confidence. By contrast, pilots who communicate with brevity and clarity tend to make stronger, more confident impressions and put…
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Ep 349 Using the GI Bill to Kickstart Your Career with Pray Aviation
In this episode, Doug Mitchell of Pray Aviation joins Nic to break down how veterans can make the most of the GI Bill for flight training. He explains why earning a private pilot license is a crucial first step to unlocking these benefits, walks through the costs and structure of VA-approved...
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Ep 348 Don't Overthink the Path to Your Dream Job
Do you tend to overthink things? You are not alone! In this solo show, Nik implores listeners to go back to the basics and stop overthinking the hiring process. He emphasizes the importance of intentional thinking, creating a simple plan, and executing that plan one step at a time. As always, Nik...
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Ep 347 Developing Aviation Professionals at Kansas State University with Ty Pina
In this episode, Nik sits down with Ty Pina, Aviation Department Head at Kansas State University. Drawing on 21 years of service in the Air Force, Ty reflects on his journey leading K-State's aviation program and shares his perspective on mentorship, networking, and cultivating a strong culture…
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Ep 346 After Spirit: A Pilot's Playbook for What's Next Webinar
In place of this week's solo episode, Nik is joined by Jaron Roux and Haley Ageton of Spitfire Elite Consulting on a recent webinar focused on helping former Spirit pilots navigate their next career move. Spitfire's core message is simple: Spirit pilots are highly qualified and competitive, but...
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Ep 345 Professional Aircraft Detailing with Chris Hibben and JetGlow Aviation
Former Navy and Air Force combat photographer Chris Hibben joins Nik to discuss how his unique aviation background led him to create JetGlow Aviation, an aircraft detailing company based in Oshkosh, WI. Chris explains why aircraft paint, brightwork, and interiors are more than cosmetic – they're...
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Ep 344 Stop Telling, Start Offering: Show Hiring Teams Your True Value
It's normal for people to have wants, but Nik is here today to remind everyone that wants don't get you hired. Instead of telling companies what you want, shift your focus to what you offer and how you can address a company's needs. If you're struggling to think of what you provide, Nik offers...
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Ep 343 Serving Your Country and Passengers: The Air National Guard and Part 121 Life
Nik sits down with Vincent Cheval, a C-130 pilot in the Montana Air National Guard and First Officer at Allegiant, to explore the balancing act of serving in the Guard while flying Part 121. Vincent shares his unconventional path from Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech to the flight deck, along…
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Ep 342 Two Days of Work Every Day: Accelerating Your Process
Are you worried about falling behind? Are you looking for ways to stand out? Everyone's path to success involves varying costs, especially in the forms of time, effort, and money. This episode gives us insights on making your process more efficient and intentional, specifically by completing two...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 learn how to stay composed and articulate yourself with impact as we uncover airline-specific pilot selection demands, analyze the aviation industry's culture, and give you great interview advice.Listen to the Ready 4 Pushback podcast to transform yourself and gain valuable perspective about your dream job!
HOSTED BY
Nik Fialka
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Ready 4 Pushback have?
Ready 4 Pushback currently has 392 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Ready 4 Pushback about?
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...
How often does Ready 4 Pushback release new episodes?
Ready 4 Pushback publishes regularly with 392 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Ready 4 Pushback?
You can listen to Ready 4 Pushback on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Ready 4 Pushback?
Ready 4 Pushback is created and hosted by Nik Fialka.
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