Captain Wayne Kearns (Ret'd)

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Stick With It, we’re honoured to be joined by former AIPA President, Captain Wayne Kearns (Ret'd). Captain Kearns reflects on the early days of AIPA, sharing firsthand stories from a defining era in aviation. From navigating industrial challenges to flying alongside World War II pilots, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the past through the eyes of someone who lived it. With decades of experience both in the flightdeck and in leadership roles, Captain Kearns shares key moments from his career, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his advice for the next generation of pilots. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - Origins of AIPA 12:48 - Flying with WWII Veterans 14:07 - Time as AIPA President 18:29 - 1989 Pilots Dispute 24:30 - Working for Qantas post AIPA 31:54 - Managing Pilots 33:39 - Stories from Managing Pilots 39:43 - Flight Engineers 43:33 - Seniority List 44:32 - Mergers with Airlines 50:03 - Advice for Pilots 51:42 - Life in Retirement Fly safe and stick with it.