What No One Tells Pilots About Changing Careers with Nik Fialka

In this episode, Adam sits down with Nik Fialka, retired Navy helicopter pilot, major airline captain, host of Ready For Pushback, and co-founder of Spitfire Elite Interview Consulting. Nik shares his unconventional career path, hard-earned lessons from career pivots, and what pilots often get wrong about decision making, identity, and timing.

This conversation goes deep into analysis paralysis, the hidden costs of staying stuck, the responsibility that comes with having a platform in aviation, and why authenticity and engagement matter more than influence. Nik also delivers a strong and emotional take on aviation media ethics, accident commentary, and why pilots must think long term when making career and life decisions.

Whether you are transitioning from the military, considering a career pivot, preparing for airline hiring, or questioning your next move, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and hard truth from someone who has lived it.

This group intends to expand our pilot network and help us all in future endeavors; to “pay it forward’ as it were. With the aviation career field comes the unknown, and a good network is often the difference in sitting on the sidelines or getting into the game. Some of us have the job we want; many of us don’t yet. The Pilot Network gives us the chance to reconnect to old aviation colleagues, seek out new avenues within this great career, or just give a helping hand to those coming up in this vocation. We have grown to over 30,00