Flying Straight

In today’s episode, I speak with Captain Billy Peterson. He was born and bred in the New York city area and is now living in Manhattan.

This interview is a little longer than the others, but I tell you, after recording then playing it back, there is not one word I could cut out, its such a powerful account of his life.

My guest today is Hylton Ward. I have no doubt that his story will resonate with quite a few, especially if you have worked in out of the way places. Hylton calls Winton, Queensland home. He is an owner/ operator of a successful charter business, managing both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He is a remote area expert flying in the desert as well as lonely islands at the top of Australia. His schedule is always changing so I am very grateful that things worked out and his plans to visit the Sunshine Coast eventuated. We chat, amongst other things, about living a life free of alcohol in isolated areas where a strong drinking culture is often the norm.

Mike is a psychiatrist, addiction specialist, and keen surfer. He has been awarded awarded a Fellowship of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine- a FAChAM. He explains why people become addicted to alcohol and other drugs and shares his thoughts on the power of connection

Today's conversation is with a super interesting guy, Captain Roger Healey Roger's career path is an enviable one. Soon after school, he joined the Royal Australian air force, flying a diverse range of aircraft, including P three Orions, which is a four engine Anti submarine aircraft, as well as rotary wings. He left the military after 16 years and started flying for a large airline being based in Hong Kong, as well as in the United Kingdom. He currently operates out of Asia flying freight a heavy jet. How good is that? Roger shares with us, his story of the impact alcohol had on his life. It was a slow transition from social drinker fitting in with the other crew members to that realization that something just wasn't quite right and was getting worse. He shares insights on the life as an international airline pilot and expectorate, a father and a recovering alcoholic. And he tells us how sobriety has given him everything alcohol had promised.

Our guest today is retired Airline Captain, Tony Driza. Throughout his amazing career

He operated his last flight in command of a Boeing 777 between Dallas Ft. Worth and Tokyo. As Tony will shortly explain, his career not one you would expect from such an experienced pilot. Tony had a problem with alcohol, so much so when he drank, he would “break out in handcuffs” a direct quote from him.

In this introduction the host, Andrew O'Meally, will tell you what to expect in the upcoming episodes