Ready 4 Pushback

Latest Episodes:

Ep 397 From Paper Airplanes to Fighter Jets: An 11-Year Old's Extraordinary Passion for Aviation Nov 02, 2026

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In this inspiring episode of Ready for Pushback, host Nick Fialka interviews 11-year-old Rishaan Dwivedi, a remarkably talented young aviation enthusiast whose passion for airplanes has grown into an impressive collection of intricate aircraft models and a miniature replica of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Ri,/shaan's story demonstrates how curiosity, creativity, discipline, and encouragement can turn an early interest into a potential lifelong career. Despite his young age, he has developed impressive craftsmanship, maintains a demanding schedule as a competitive speed skater, prioritizes academics, and already has a vision for his future in aviation.

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Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don't wait until it's too late. Use the promo code "R4P2026" 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 podcast@spitfireelite.com, and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates!

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Ep 396 Rise - The Culmination of Incremental Gains Oct 29, 2026

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Career success comes from consistent, incremental improvement - not comparison, perfection or one big breakthrough. This episode reflects on conversations at the 2026 Latino Professionals in Aerospace Expo and explains that "Rising" means getting 1% better every day, being honest about your strengths and weaknesses, and allowing others to help you grow.

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Ep 395 Enlisted Marine to Airline Pilot: Building Flight Time While Serving Oct 26, 2026

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You don't have to wait until you leave the military to start your airline pilot journey. Marine Gino Morato shares how he balances active duty, family, and flight training while working toward an airline career.

Learn how to navigate flight schools, manage training costs, and build flight time while still serving. Watch to discover practical strategies for turning your military experience into a head start on your aviation career.

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Ep 394 Coffin Corner Leaves No Margin For Error Oct 22, 2026

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What happens when the opportunity you've been waiting for arrives, but you're not ready for it? This episode draws a powerful connection between aviation's coffin corner and the career mistakes that leave pilots with no margin for error.

Learn why preparation creates options, confidence, and the ability to capitalize when the right opportunity appears. If you're pursuing an airline career, don't wait until the opportunity is in front of you to get ready.

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Ep 393 The Redbird Story: Building the Future of Flight Training Oct 19, 2026

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What does it take to change the way pilots learn to fly? In this episode, Nik Fialka sits down with Charlie Gregoire, founder of Redbird Flight, to explore how a simulator built in a Texas barn grew into a company helping shape the future of aviation training.

Charlie shares the risks, mentors, technology, and unconventional decisions behind Redbird while explaining why simulation can play such a critical role in developing better pilots. If you are a pilot, instructor, aviation professional, or simply curious about where flight training is headed, listen in and discover why the future of pilot training is being built before the wheels ever leave the runway, then visit Redbird Flight (www.redbirdflight.com).

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Ep 392 Are You Jaded Oct 15, 2026

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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 of flying. If you've ever felt burned out, frustrated, or jaded in aviation, this episode is for you.

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Ep 391 Stop Pitching, Start Connecting Oct 12, 2026

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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 and coffee lines to building lasting pilot communities, this episode reveals how to network without making every interaction transactional. Watch if you want to build the kind of aviation network that creates opportunities you cannot predict, and relationships that last long after the conference ends.

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Ep 390 Train Your Mind with Stress Inoculation Oct 08, 2026

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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 emergencies, every difficult experience builds the mental library you may need when it matters most. Learn why slowing down, trusting your training, and using your resources can be the difference when the pressure is on.

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Ep 387 Fly Better, Fly Safer: The Power of Aerobatic Training Sep 28, 2026

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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 the "why" behind flight training, and knowing when to reset rather than force a maneuver. Rob shares his experience with Spread Aviation (https://spreadaviation.com) and SAFE- Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (https://safepilots.org), both dedicated to helping pilots become better, safer aviators.

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Ep 386 The Fun is Getting There Sep 24, 2026

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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 impatient for the next step in your aviation career, this episode will help you see your journey from a different perspective. Because someday you'll look back on your career and realize: the fun was getting there.

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