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AIPA ‘Stick With It’

AIPA

Presented by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), Stick With It is a podcast for pilots who want to learn, reflect, and grow in their profession.

Each episode features conversations with experienced guests from current to former pilots and aviation experts, sharing stories, practical skills, and timeless advice for navigating a career in aviation.


Fly safe and stick with it.

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  • 24 episodes
  • Avg 43 min
  • English

Episodes 24

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  • S2 · E4
    Jul 21, 2025 · 43 min

    Captain Andrew Stewart (Ret'd)

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Stick With It! In this episode, we're joined by Capt Andrew Stewart (Ret’d), a former Qantas 747 Captain who is now a psychotherapist working with the Pilot Assistance Network (PAN). After retiring from flying, Andrew retrained as a therapist at Oxford, specialising in supporting pilots with the unique mental challenges of aviation. We explore the psychological blocks pilots often face in training, how to manage stress, deal with imposter syndrome, and practical strategies to build resilience throughout your career. While many of these themes may be familiar, we hope this conversation reinforces what you know or helps you learn something new, as you prepare for your next SIM, upgrade, or command training. Fly safe and stick with it.

  • S2 · E3
    Jul 10, 2025 · 52 min

    Captain Ryan Smith

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Stick With It. Today, we’re joined by Captain Ryan Smith, a QantasLink Dash 8 Q400 Check and Training Captain with a rich background that started in general aviation through the UNSW program. In this episode, Ryan walks us through his journey from flight training and GA operations into an airline operation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to transition into QantasLink. We dive into the challenges and steep learning curve of operating the Dash 8 Q400, a complex, high-performance turboprop and the mindset required to succeed in training and line operations. Ryan shares practical tips, reflections from his early days, and advice to new pilots. Whether you’re just beginning your aviation journey or building hours in GA, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and honest insights. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 00:44 – How Ryan's Flying Career Began 05:02 – Starting in QantasLink 06:45 – Moving from Q300 to Q400 09:08 – Starting at QantasLink as a New Recruit 14:49 – Flying Roles, F/O and Capt Flying 16:30 – Ground School Training 19:12 – First Days as a QantasLink Pilot 23:05 – Rostering & First Flights 33:17 – Memory Items & Recalls 34:50 – Training and Checking Secrets 38:00 – Diverse Operations 41:00 – Dealing with Setbacks 44:32 – Where AIPA Can Help 46:30 – Advice for Pilots 48:53 – 3 Key Things to Remember 52:32 - Outro Fly safe and stick with it.

  • S2 · E2
    Jun 30, 2025 · 55 min

    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.

  • S2 · E1
    Jun 17, 2025 · 40 min

    Captain Andrew Marshall

    Send us Fan Mail We’re kicking the new season off with my good mate, AIPA President Captain Andrew Marshall. We talk through his career so far, unpack where things stand with Reduced Crew Operations (RCO), dive into the latest on enterprise bargaining, and look ahead to what the future may hold for our profession. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and welcome to season two 00:29 – Guest introduction: Captain Andrew Marshall 02:38 – Andrew's early career and Qantas start 06:30 – Self-funded cadetship and pilot training 08:09 – Role and challenges as AIPA President 10:15 – Academic journey and Executive MBA 13:13 – Short haul EA implementation update 15:47 – Industrial relations and pay rise issues 17:50 – Negotiations and collaboration between groups 27:14 – Reduced crew operations concerns 31:35 – Importance of union representation 34:00 – Reasons for staying involved in AIPA 36:10 – Reflections on career and advice to younger self 37:59 – Enjoyment of flying and presidential role 40:05 – Closing remarks and farewell Fly safe and stick with it.

Showing 21–24 of 24 episodes