Ever frozen under pressure, knowing you were capable of more? This episode of Like a Pilot dives into why fixating on outcomes often leads to anything but success. From cockpit to canoe slalom, you'll hear how elite performers—pilots, Olympians, and race drivers—master their minds by focusing on what truly matters: the process. Discover how shifting your attention from the fear of failure to the precision of your performance can fundamentally transform your results, unpacking practical tools and revealing how even 'pink elephants' can help you silence self-doubts and stay laser-focused in the moment. Ready to unlock your true potential? Tune in now!

When life punches you in the face, what is that voice in your head saying?

When you’re beating yourself up, what’s the worst thing you tell yourself about yourself?

A military pilot earns her wings but can’t shake the feeling she got there by accident. A test pilot finishes a mission but still feels like a pretender.

In this episode, we unpack the voice that questions your competence, your right to be here, your ability to do the job. And you’ll learn three tools to challenge the stories you’ve been telling yourself—because the most dangerous beliefs are the ones you never stop to question.

Is your feedback resonating? Does it foster growth?

For pilots, every flight is a lesson, and well-facilitated debriefs provide the fuel for mastery. In this episode of Like a Pilot, Phil Wilkes explores how structured debriefs turn ordinary feedback into real growth.

This isn’t just about aviation—it’s about transforming how you listen, how you reflect, and how you lead. Whether you’re mentoring a colleague, coaching an athlete, leading a team, or parenting at home, stop telling—start guiding.

Discover how structured reflection, powerful questions, and active listening create space for people to own their learning and actually improve.

From the cockpit to the boardroom—and even your living room—this episode will change the way you approach leadership, teamwork, and communication.

How could experienced pilots forget something as critical as setting the flaps for takeoff? Checklists are meant to save lives—so why do they sometimes fail? This episode of Like a Pilot dives into the dark side of routine—complacency and expectation bias—that can trick even the best professionals into fatal mistakes. Join Phil Wilkes as he unpacks the human factors behind disasters like Spanair 5022 and Singapore Airlines 006, and reveals flight deck tricks you can use to stay sharp and fight bias in any field. And along the way, we’ll hop on a Japanese shinkansen bullet train to uncover the surprising power of shisa kanko, "pointing and calling".

In the wake of three major aviation accidents in as many months, the speculation machine has been in overdrive—fuelled by social media, 24-hour news cycles, and self-proclaimed experts. But what happens when misinformation spreads faster than the facts? In this episode of Like a Pilot, we examines why jumping to conclusions is dangerous, not just for aviation safety but for real people caught in the storm of public opinion.

Join your host, Phil Wilkes, as he explores James Reason’s Swiss Cheese Model, the systemic approach to accident investigation, and how we can apply these lessons beyond aviation. Because whether it’s in the cockpit or in life, sound reasoning always wins out over knee-jerk reactions.

In this episode of Like a Pilot, we delve into the extraordinary events of United Airlines Flight 232, one of the most dramatic and miraculous aviation stories ever told. What begins as a routine flight turns into a fight for survival when a catastrophic mechanical failure leaves the crew with no functioning flight controls. Join your host, Phil Wilkes, as he explores the remarkable airmanship, teamwork, and problem-solving that allows 184 people to survive against all odds. The lessons from this incredible story—leadership, communication, and persistence—resonate far beyond aviation and can be applied to any field. Tune in for a deep dive into one of aviation’s greatest feats of survival and human resilience.

What if the key to staying calm under pressure was something as simple as… breathing?

In this episode of Like a Pilot, we wrap up our two-part series on managing startle and surprise with a powerful yet often overlooked tool: breath control. From aviation to elite military training, controlled breathing has been proven to reset the mind and body, helping professionals navigate high-stakes situations with clarity and composure.

Discover how this technique, used by pilots, US Navy SEALs, and even athletes, can help you handle stress, fear, and unexpected challenges in your own life. With insights into the science behind startle responses and practical guidance on breathing techniques, this episode is your guide to mastering your physiological and emotional recovery in moments that matter most.

Don’t hold your breath—tune in now to learn more!

Ever wondered what happens when pilots encounter the unexpected? In this latest episode of Like a Pilot, we're diving into the critical skill of managing startle and surprise in high-stakes moments. We’ll explore how professionals respond to those jolting situations with clarity and control. Along the way, we’ll examine real-world aviation incidents, including China Eastern 583, Atlas Air 3591, West Air Sweden 294 and a we'll be returning to the lessons of Air France 447, to show why it’s essential to start recovering from startle before taking decisive action. And, as always, there’s a takeaway for you—a tool to help you tackle life’s unexpected twists with a calm, clear mindset. But be warned, this episode comes with a “BANG!” It’s not for the faint of heart!

In the early morning hours of 1st June 2009, Air France flight 447 was cruising at 35,000 feet, enroute from Rio de Janeiro Galeao to Paris Charles de Gaulle when the autopilot disengaged. Less than four and half minutes later, the Airbus A330 would plunge into the Atlantic Ocean with the tragic loss of the 228 souls on board. It would take two years for the flight data and cockpit voice recorders to be found and a further year for the French BEA to release the findings of their accident investigation. What they would uncover were lessons about human interaction with automated systems that are pertinent not just for pilots but for us all.

How can admitting mistakes save lives? Why is self-reporting crucial in aviation? In this episode of the Like a Pilot podcast, host Phil Wilkes answers a subscriber’s question as he explores the transformative power of a Just Culture, where honesty and transparency are key to maintaining safety. We’ll uncover how pilots use self-reporting to learn from errors without fear of punishment, ensuring safer skies for everyone. Join Phil as he takes you behind the scenes of airline operations, delves into real-life stories of pilots who’ve confessed their mistakes, and reveals how these practices can revolutionise other industries. Tune in for an eye-opening journey into the heart of aviation's Just Culture and its profound impact on safety and accountability.