Episode 271 Hot Day, Hard Decisions

Ready 4 Pushback

In this solo episode, Nik talks about a tough day at work when a broken APU and hot brake warning forced him to make the hard call to refuse an aircraft right before takeoff. He shares what happened behind the scenes—from managing the rising cabin temperature to coordinating with maintenance and keeping passengers informed.

Nik explains why it's so important to speak up, trust your judgment, and make safety the top priority—even when it’s uncomfortable or causes delays. If you're training or already flying, this episode is a reminder that being a pilot means making tough calls and leading with confidence and care.

What You'll Learn:

How to recognize when an aircraft issue crosses the line from inconvenience to safety concern

Why communication and empathy matter—especially when passengers are frustrated

The process and pressure behind refusing an aircraft in an airline operation

How tough decisions build your confidence and credibility as a pilot

CONNECT WITH US

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If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at [email protected], and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates!

SPONSOR

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