AIPA ‘Stick With It’

AIPA

5.0 (14)
Aviation

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.

15 hrs ago

Bonus Episode: Inside the 747's Captain Cook Lounge at Qantas Founders Museum

Send us Fan Mail Special bonus episode, recorded live in the legendary 747 Captain Cook Lounge at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach, QLD. When Qantas took delivery of its first 747s in the 1970s, the upper deck "bump" behind the cockpit wasn't just for the cockpit crew — it housed the Captain Cook Lounge: seating for 15 passengers, a stand-up bar, and décor that should have come with a volume control. Host Capt. Andrew Taylor sits down with Capt. Dave Thiess (ret) and Capt. Don Hill (ret) inside this very lounge to talk about the Qantas Founders Museum — the nostalgia, the pride, and the volunteers who keep its history alive — before diving deep into the origins of Qantas and the role it's played in shaping modern aviation. Guests: Capt. Dave Thiess, Capt. Don Hill (ret) Host: Capt. Andrew Taylor Recorded at: Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach QLD — 747 Captain Cook Lounge #Qantas #Aviation #747 #AviationHistory #QantasFoundersMuseum #PilotPodcast Fly safe and stick with it.

26 min
2 days ago

Lending + Wealth Strategy with Ian Fraser & Nathan Huehne (MGD Wealth)

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with proud partners of AIPA, MGD Wealth, Nathan Huehne and Ian Fraser break down how lending strategy and wealth planning work together to build long-term financial success for airline pilots. Nathan unpacks the lending side: how banks actually assess pilot income (base, allowances, overtime), current credit conditions, smart debt structuring, and the borrowing constraints unique to pilots. Ian covers the wealth strategy side: financial stewardship, classifying good vs bad debt, using equity effectively, the power of compounding, and managing risk along the way. What this episode covers: - How lenders assess pilot income (base vs allowances vs overtime) - Current lending environment (rates, APRA buffer, DTI limits) - Managing borrowing capacity and credit constraints - Financial stewardship and the role of discipline - Good debt vs bad debt vs deductible debt - Balancing mortgage repayment vs investing - Equity release and structured borrowing - Compounding returns and dollar-cost averaging - Interest-only vs principal & interest strategies - Risk management, buffers, and stress-testing - Federal Budget impacts on pilots (tax, housing, super, cash flow) - Real-world pilot scenarios and decision-making frameworks Whether you're early in your flying career or sitting on equity and wondering what to do next, this episode gives you a practical framework for making debt and wealth work together — not against each other. Financial disclaimer: The above information is general information only and should not be taken as constituting professional advice from AIPA. AIPA does not refer its members to any individual financial institution, financial group or financial adviser, or endorse or recommend any individual financial institution, financial group or financial adviser, or endorse or make recommendations about any financial advice, product, plan or scheme. AIPA excludes any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a result of a person acting in reliance upon any information disseminated to AIPA members. If you require financial, legal and/or taxation advice, you should obtain your own independent, professional advice. Fly safe and stick with it.

36 min
2 days ago

Build Lasting Wealth ft. Robbie Parkinson & Stephen Furness (MGD Wealth)

Send us Fan Mail As wealth grows, the questions that matter most start to change. In this episode, Robbie Parkinson and Stephen Furness from MGD Wealth explore how high earning professionals and families can think more strategically about building, managing and protecting wealth over time — moving beyond short-term performance and individual investments toward thoughtful portfolio construction, diversification and long-term decision making. Stephen and Robbie unpack how sophisticated investors think about risk, return and opportunity on an after-tax basis, and why portfolios often evolve beyond traditional shares, cash and property as wealth increases. The conversation also explores the role private markets can play within a well-structured portfolio — not as speculative or exclusive investments, but as tools to improve resilience, flexibility and long-term optionality for individuals and families. What we cover: - How wealth objectives change as income and assets grow - Why success in investing should be measured by outcomes, not benchmarks - The difference between chasing returns and managing long-term risk - Why diversification becomes more important as portfolios get larger - How sophisticated investors think about asset allocation - What private markets are and why they exist within portfolios - The role of private markets in diversification and resilience - Understanding risk beyond market volatility - Why after-tax returns and structure matter more than headline performance - Using wealth to create optionality — flexibility, choice and legacy Whether you're navigating growing wealth for the first time or looking to refine an existing strategy, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at what it really takes to build wealth that lasts. Financial disclaimer: The above information is general information only and should not be taken as constituting professional advice from AIPA. AIPA does not refer its members to any individual financial institution, financial group or financial adviser, or endorse or recommend any individual financial institution, financial group or financial adviser, or endorse or make recommendations about any financial advice, product, plan or scheme. AIPA excludes any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a result of a person acting in reliance upon any information disseminated to AIPA members. If you require financial, legal and/or taxation advice, you should obtain your own independent, professional advice. Fly safe and stick with it.

46 min
6 May

Captain Richard Woodward (Ret)

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an in-depth discussion with retired Captain Richard Woodward as he shares his pioneering work on pilot fatigue, the science behind it, and the development of fatigue risk management systems in aviation. Discover the history, challenges, and future of managing pilot fatigue effectively. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pilot Fatigue and Research 01:17 Richard Woodward's Career and Background 04:16 The Science of Fatigue Management 07:08 Crew Rest Standards and Regulations 10:25 The Evolution of Duty Hours and Regulations 13:24 The Fatigue Risk Management System 16:25 Pilot Fatigue Studies and Findings 19:28 Simulator Studies and Pilot Performance 22:20 Consequential Risks and Safety in Fatigued Crews 25:19 Real-World Implications of Fatigue Management 26:31 Navigating Fatigue in Aviation 27:51 Understanding Pilot Fatigue and Its Impacts 29:22 The Research Journey: Data Collection and Challenges 32:01 The Evolution of Fatigue Management Strategies 35:03 The Birth of FRMS: A Collaborative Effort 38:02 Regulatory Challenges and Pilot Representation 41:23 The Dilemma of Pilot Responsibility and Company Policies 45:37 Towards a Healthy Aviation System 48:19 Global Perspectives on Fatigue Management 51:51 Conclusion and Future Directions Fly safe and stick with it.

53 min
11 Mar

Captain Sarah Davidson and F/O Allegra Taylor

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Stick With It – Season 3! In our first episode of the new season, we kick things off by celebrating International Women in Aviation Week with two inspiring Qantas Group pilots: Captain Sarah Davidson, a Qantas 737 Captain, and Allegra Taylor, a Jetstar First Officer. They share their journeys into aviation, the challenges women pilots face, the importance of representation in the flightdeck and how they balance flying with family life — all while offering powerful advice for the next generation. Chapters: 00:00 - Welcome back to Stick With It Season 3 & International Women in Aviation Week 01:19 - Sarah's aviation journey 04:03 - Gender barriers and pioneering women pilots in aviation history 07:07 - Allegra's path to aviation 10:52 - Flying with other women pilots 13:57 - What makes a great flying partner and effective crew teamwork 22:02 - Balancing work and family life as pilots 25:20 - Captain’s story: managing breastfeeding while flying after maternity leave 36:33 - Final advice for young listeners — you can make it happen 🌐 Follow Us on Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aipa_pilots/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auspilots Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aipapilots/ #StickWithItPodcast #WomenInAviation #InternationalWomenInAviationWeek #WomenWhoFly #FemalePilots #PilotLife #AviationPodcast #Qantas #Jetstar #AviationCareers Fly safe and stick with it.

41 min
6 Feb

John Mullen

Send us Fan Mail For our final episode of the season, we’re joined by John Mullen, Chair of Qantas, and one of Australia’s most respected and globally experienced business leaders. With more than two decades spent leading major transport, logistics, and infrastructure companies around the world, John brings a rare mix of boardroom insight, historical perspective, and genuine curiosity to this conversation. John shares his own career journey and we dive into the enduring excitement of flying, how John came to take on the role of Qantas Chair, and the realities of leading an organisation made up of very different personalities — from managers to pilots. We discuss ambitious initiatives like Project Sunrise, reflect on the legacy of Sir Hudson Fysh and early aviation pioneers, and look ahead to what’s next for Qantas in an evolving global industry. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 00:58 - How Boards Function 04:20 - How Former Board Members Might View Today’s Boards 05:10 - How Boards Communicate Internally 07:04 - John’s Career Journey 13:27 - Interest in Maritime History 17:05 - The Feeling of Underwater Discovery & Adventure 20:00 - Flinders: Can Leaders Still Lead Like They Did Centuries Ago? 22:07 - How Qantas Compares to Other Companies 23:57 - How the Qantas Brand Evokes “Home” and Australian Identity 25:30 - Why Stay Involved in Leading Major Companies? 28:00 - The Importance of the Qantas Founders Museum 28:55 - The DNA of Qantas 30:43 - The Ongoing Excitement of Flying 31:34 - Becoming Qantas Chair: How the Role Came About 34:00 - Managers and Pilots: Navigating Different Personalities 37:20 - The Sunrise Project 40:00 - Sir Hudson Fysh: From Pioneering Aviation to Today 41:57 - What’s Next for Qantas 44:40 - Parallels Between Aviation and the Wine Industry 45:58 - Do People Want the Chairman’s Phone Number? 47:07 - Outro Fly safe and stick with it.

47 min
13 Jan

Dr Brendyn Appleby

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Brendyn Appleby, a seasoned strength and conditioning coach with over 25 years of experience in elite sport. Brendyn has worked with top organisations including the WA Institute of Sport, Western Force (Super Rugby), and the Australian Men’s Hockey Team across three Olympic Games (Rio, Tokyo, and Paris). Today, he serves as a Senior Lecturer in Allied Health at Murdoch University. Brendyn shares his journey coaching professional athletes and how he’s translating that knowledge to the world of aviation. Discover the fascinating parallels between high-performance sports environments and piloting, and why mindset, preparation, and health are critical for success in both fields. To help pilots monitor and achieve their personal health goals, Brendyn founded Huperco — a business dedicated to bridging the gap between elite athletes and everyday people. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Meeting at the airport heading to Olympics 03:03 - Brendyn's Career Background 04:14 - What does an S&C Coach do for professional athletes 06:37 - Bring a High Performance Mindset to Piloting 07:49 - FlyingFit Initiative 21:10 - Simple Things for Pilots 38:09 - Outro Fly safe and stick with it.

39 min
16/12/2025

Captain John Cawood

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Stick With It. In this episode, we are joined by Captain John Cawood, a Check and Training Captain on the Boeing 787 with Jetstar. John’s aviation journey began in South Africa, where he flew with the South African Air Force before moving into commercial aviation with South African Airways. His career then took him to Emirates, where he gained experience flying long-haul operations across multiple continents. Over the years, John has flown an impressive range of aircraft types, including the Airbus A340, A330, and A320, building a wealth of knowledge and expertise across both widebody and narrowbody fleets. When Jetstar introduced the A330 into its operations, John was offered to take on the role of Training Captain, helping shape the airline’s training culture and supporting pilots transitioning onto new aircraft types. Today, he is based in Melbourne as a Check and Training Captain on the Boeing 787, continuing his passion for developing and mentoring the next generation of pilots. In our conversation, John reflects on his early career and the lessons learned flying with both military and commercial airlines, before sharing his perspective on the unique challenges faced by today’s new pilots entering the industry. With more graduates coming straight from training academies and entering the airline with relatively low flying hours, John offers valuable insights into how training programs are structured, what skills are most important to develop early and how both resilience and discipline play a role in a pilot’s success. This is a fascinating discussion for anyone interested in the path for student pilots, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how training standards are evolving to meet the demands of modern aviation. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction 00:48 - Early Flying & South African Air Force 04:27 - Airline Career Path 06:51 - Joining Jetstar 13:07 - Training & Development 21:34 - Evidence Based Training 29:47 - Supporting Pilots During Training 33:40 - Satisfying Part of Being a Check Captain 35:34 - Aircraft Variants in Jetstar 36:28 - South African Airforce During War 39:30 - Closing Remarks Fly safe and stick with it.

44 min

5

out of 5

14 Ratings

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.

Creator

AIPA
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

38
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 AIPA ‘Stick With It’
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AIPA ‘Stick With It’

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