Ready 4 Pushback

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

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, maintai

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 check

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, a

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 g

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 opportunit

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

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 Gr

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, Ni

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 car

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

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 tr

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

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

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 T

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

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 strength

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

Ep 366 The Power of Intellectual Margin

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 cockpi