Ready 4 Pushback

• International 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 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 into what it’s like flying internationally out of Hong Kong, how airline structures differ between Asia and the West, and the often-overlooked challenges of adapting to expat life in one of the world’s densest cities. Ash also opens up about transitioning to the U.S. aviation system and earning his FAA ATP certificate, and offers his thoughts on CRM culture and cockpit dynamics across borders. What You'll Learn: How Ash built an international flying career starting with training in New Zealand What it’s like flying single-engine aircraft in the challenging terrain of Indonesia The unique structure and expectations of working for an airline based in Hong Kong How cockpit resource management (CRM) and cockpit culture differ between Asia and the West What to expect when transitioning from an ICAO license to an FAA ATP The lifestyle realities of expat pilots living and working in Hong Kong Why global flying experience can give pilots a unique edge—if they’re willing to adapt CONNECT WITH US Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Use the promo code “R4P2025” and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates! SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US. Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order. #Aviation #AviationCareers #aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #flying #flyingtips #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment #flightschool #aviationschool #pilotcareer #pilotlife #pilot

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• Episode 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 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 make safety the top priority—even when it’s uncomfortable or causes delays. If you're training or already flying, this episode is a reminder that being a pilot means making tough calls and leading with confidence and care. What You'll Learn: How to recognize when an aircraft issue crosses the line from inconvenience to safety concern Why communication and empathy matter—especially when passengers are frustrated The process and pressure behind refusing an aircraft in an airline operation How tough decisions build your confidence and credibility as a pilot CONNECT WITH US Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Use the promo code “R4P2025” and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates! SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US. Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order. #Aviation #AviationCareers #aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #flying #flyingtips #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment #flightschool #aviationschool #pilotcareer #pilotlife #pilot

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• Episode 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 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 process. But that isn't the end of his story. Mark opens up about how he rebuilt his confidence, regained his momentum, and ultimately secured a position at Sun Country Airlines. He shares what he did differently the second time around and offers valuable advice for pilots navigating setbacks of their own. This episode is both a cautionary tale and an inspiring comeback story—about how to prepare for every stage of training, how to recover if you’re let go, and how resilience and honesty can help you keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles. What you'll learn: What went wrong for Mark during his training at a regional airline—and how he handled it How to deal with failure and rejection in aviation How Mark built his confidence back How to prepare for training so that you don't get 'behind the power curve' Tips for staying focused, bouncing back, and owning your career path  CONNECT WITH US Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Use the promo code “R4P2025” and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates! SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US. Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order. #Aviation #AviationCareers #aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #flying #flyingtips #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment #flightschool #aviationschool #pilotcareer #pilotlife #pilot

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• You 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 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 interview, and what to expect during training once you're hired. They also dive into why professionalism, attitude, and cultural fit matter just as much as flight time—and how every interaction with the company can influence your path. Whether you're just getting started or looking to move up to a legacy carrier, this episode offers practical advice straight from the decision-makers at American Airlines. What You'll Learn: What American Airlines looks for in pilot candidates beyond flight hours How to build a clean, complete application that gets noticed Common resume mistakes and how to avoid them Why professional presence and preparation matter at conferences and interviews What the training pipeline looks like once you’re hired The role of servant leadership in the cockpit and on the ramp How authenticity and attitude play into hiring decisions Why culture and character matter just as much as qualifications How American’s values—Safety, Care, Dependability, Efficiency—guide everything they do CONNECT WITH US Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Use the promo code “R4P2025” and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates!  SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US. Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order. #Aviation #AviationCareers #aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #flying #flyingtips #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment #flightschool #aviationschool #pilotcareer #pilotlife #pilot

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• Episode 269 Reps Remove Doubt

  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, repetition builds the confidence, clarity, and capability you need to succeed. With a packed schedule of pilot hiring expos on the horizon, Nik shares a personal reminder to aspiring aviators: don't wait until the last minute. Get your reps in now. Drawing on his own experience—where he completed more mock interviews than anyone in Spitfire history—Nik explains how consistent, intentional preparation not only removes doubt, but makes you more agile, professional, and confident under pressure. What You'll Learn: Why repetition is essential at every stage of your pilot career How building muscle memory improves your performance in the sim, flight deck, and interview room The difference between showing up confident versus showing up unprepared What real preparation looks like—and how it can give you an edge at hiring events and beyond Why even a failed opportunity can become a launchpad—if you've done the work  CONNECT WITH US Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don’t wait until it’s too late. Use the promo code “R4P2025” and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates! SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out to Marty and his team by visiting www.tridenthomeloans.com to get the best VA loans available anywhere in the US. Be ready for takeoff anytime with 3D-stretch, stain-repellent, and wrinkle-free aviation uniforms by Flight Uniforms. Just go to www.flightuniform.com and type the code SPITFIREPOD20 to get a special 20% discount on your first order. #Aviation #AviationCareers #aviationcrew #AviationJobs #AviationLeadership #AviationEducation #AviationOpportunities #AviationPodcast #AirlinePilot #AirlineJobs #AirlineInterviewPrep #flying #flyingtips #PilotDevelopment #PilotFinance #pilotcareer #pilottips #pilotcareertips #PilotExperience #pilotcaptain #PilotTraining #PilotSuccess #pilotpodcast #PilotPreparation #Pilotrecruitment #flightschool #aviationschool #pilotcareer #pilotlife #pilot

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