AIPA ‘Stick With It’

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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#StickWithItPodcast #WomenInAviation #InternationalWomenInAviationWeek #WomenWhoFly #FemalePilots #PilotLife #AviationPodcast #Qantas #Jetstar #AviationCareers

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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.

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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.