AIPA ‘Stick With It’

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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.

  1. 2d ago

    Safe Work is for Life — Dr Matt Thomas on fatigue and the long game

    Send us Fan Mail October is National Safe Work Month, and this year's theme — Safe work is for life — sits at the heart of this conversation. Work health and safety isn't only about the immediate hazard; it's about the long-term impact of work on a person's health, wellbeing and future. Few people have thought harder about that in an aviation context than our guest. Host William Kerr sits down with Associate Professor Matt Thomas — principal research fellow in human factors at CQUniversity's Appleton Institute, director of Westwood Thomas Associates, editor of Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, and vice president of the Australian Aviation Psychological Association — for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the flight deck to the layover hotel. Matt traces his path from a PhD on online learning environments into aviation human factors, and shares candid, sometimes painful reflections on LOSA (Line Operations Safety Audit): the war stories of observers, the hard truth that the safety change process is where airlines most often fall short, and the accident that shook his faith in safety science. From there the conversation turns to fatigue — the landmark long-haul study he worked on with Qantas and AIPA — and the growing body of evidence that shift work carries serious long-term health consequences, from cancer to cardiovascular and metabolic disease. The back half of the episode is a frank discussion of work design, psychosocial hazards and where responsibility really sits. Matt makes the case that the "lifestyle" of being a pilot isn't chosen — the work creates the lifestyle — and that the fallout too often lands on the family, the "village" and the union rather than the organisation that created the risk. It's a challenging, humane and occasionally provocative listen. 00:00 — Intro & meet Dr Matt Thomas 03:54 — LOSA, non-technical skills and observer war stories 06:51 — The Garuda Yogyakarta accident and a crisis of faith in safety science 10:50 — LOSA, Safety II and documenting what "good" looks like 19:19 — The Centre for Sleep Research and the landmark Qantas fatigue study 24:26 — Fatigue as culture: the "best compromise" between three forces 27:19 — Night work as a carcinogen and the long-term health toll 30:41 — Safe Work Month: "safe work is for life" and cancer in aircrew 36:21 — Two regulators, one gap: CASA, WHS and the FRMS 42:23 — Psychosocial hazards, Project Sunrise and the lever for change Fly safe and stick with it.

    Safe Work is for Life — Dr Matt Thomas on fatigue and the long game

  2. Sep 21

    A Pilot's Survival Story | Chris Fleer

    Send us Fan Mail Chris Fleer was a fit, healthy Qantas pilot when he collapsed in his backyard mid-workout and went into sudden cardiac arrest. He was clinically dead for 11 minutes. What kept him alive was a chain of near-impossible luck: his wife — an architect with zero medical training — started CPR she'd absorbed from watching Bondi Rescue, a neighbour who'd never done CPR leapt off his balcony to take over, and paramedics revived him on the fourth defib shock. His survival odds that day were 0.2%. In this episode, Chris sits down to talk about the day he died and everything that came after: the four shocks that brought him back, the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest, the hidden genetic heart condition no one could have caught, the defibrillator now implanted under his skin, and the five long years of uncertainty as he fought to understand what happened. He's candid about losing his aviation medical, leaning on PAN & AIPA Welfare peer support and therapy, rebuilding both his career and his outlook, and explaining why he now says he's a better person for it. CHAPTERS 0:00  Intro 0:28  Dead for 11 minutes 01:10  The morning it happened 03:51  Waking up in hospital 04:12  His wife's life-saving CPR 08:36  "Superman" jumps the fence 12:22 The ambulance & four defib shocks 14:02 Heart attack vs cardiac arrest 15:46 A 0.2% survival rate 16:46 Life after death & the pilot mindset 20:37 Two weeks of tests & the defib implant 25:38 Dark days, peer support & therapy 29:01 His wife, the trauma & broken ribs 34:25 Losing his medical & fighting insurers 44:38 A new career in safety & no regrets IN THIS EPISODE - How bystander CPR and early defibrillation saved Chris's life - Living with an implanted defibrillator - Navigating the loss of a CASA aviation medical - The role of peer support networks and mental health Fly safe and stick with it.

    A Pilot's Survival Story | Chris Fleer

  3. Sep 8

    Captain Ali Al-Wahabi

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we're joined by Captain Ali Al-Wahabi, a pilot and instructor with more than forty years of airline experience. Over a remarkable career, Ali has flown for five major airlines across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, thriving in the kind of multicultural environments that have shaped both his flying and his outlook on life. Ali graduated from Oxford Air Training College in 1976 and went on to fly the Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Airbus A320 and Airbus A330. He's a type rating examiner and instructor, as well as a CRM and simulator acceptance instructor. Alongside his flying, Ali holds a degree in psychology from the Australian College of Applied Psychology in Sydney, and is the author of several books. Today, he works with Qantas as a ground instructor. Chapters: 0:00 Welcome & meet Ali Al-Wahhabi 0:51 Growing up in 1950s Baghdad 2:05 Training as a pilot & returning to Iraq 5:04 Saddam, oil money & the "golden crew" 7:35 Meeting Saddam face to face 11:48 The Al-Wahhabi name & living under surveillance 14:26 The impossible "mission" & deciding to defect 15:03 The defection flight & its twist 19:36 Freedom in London & the family left behind 26:49 Building a career: Malta, Hong Kong & a "fake German" passport 33:10 The Gulf War & facing discrimination 40:05 Culture, communication & teaching assertiveness 47:55 Retirement, forklifts & joining Qantas 53:19 Returning to Baghdad? & closing thanks This is a fascinating conversation and a truly rare glimpse into a life lived at the sharp end of aviation history. We hope you enjoy! Fly safe and stick with it.

    Captain Ali Al-Wahabi

  4. Jun 26

    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.

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

  5. Jun 23

    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.

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

  6. Jun 23

    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.

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

  7. May 6

    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.

    Captain Richard Woodward (Ret)

  8. Mar 11

    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.

    Captain Sarah Davidson and F/O Allegra Taylor
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    AIPA
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 AIPA ‘Stick With It’
  • Show Website
    AIPA ‘Stick With It’

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