Send us a textWelcome back to Stick With It.In this episode, we are honoured to sit down with a true pioneer of Australian aviation, Captain Sharelle Quinn (RET).Sharelle’s story is one of determination, courage, and history-making achievements. Inspired at just eight years old by a Qantas stamp design competition where the prize was a flight in a Cessna 172. Despite the challenges women faced at the time, and following Deborah Lawrie’s groundbreaking fight to open the skies to female pilots, Sharelle pursued her dream with relentless passion and resilience.In 1984 she joined Qantas as one of the airline’s first two female pilots, a remarkable breakthrough in an industry that had only just begun to open its doors to women. By 1992, she had achieved another milestone, becoming Qantas’s and Australia’s first female captain. For much of her career she flew the legendary Boeing 747, the “Queen of the Skies,” commanding flights across the globe and earning deep respect from colleagues, passengers, and aspiring aviators alike.Her career reached a symbolic moment in 2020 when she captained the very last Qantas 747 flight out of Australia. She recalls the mixture of pride, nostalgia and emotion as she stepped off the aircraft for the final time, knowing she had been part of both aviation history and cultural change.In our conversation, Sharelle reflects on the early days when passengers would do a double take at the sight of a woman entering the flight deck, the way attitudes have shifted over the decades, the highs and challenges of her career.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro01:59 - Inspiration for flying 03:30 - First steps in becoming a pilot16:34 - Interview for Qantas24:20 - Joining the Airline27:00 - Career Path and Journey in Qantas36:50 - Last Jumbo Flight 44:40 - Life After Qantas47:13 - Closing RemarksFly safe and stick with it.
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Anthony Mangan
Send us a textWelcome back to Stick With It.In this episode, we are joined by AIPA’s rostering and scheduling expert, Anthony Mangan.Anthony’s aviation career began with Qantas in 1996, where he gained experience across a range of operational roles before moving into the Integrated Operations Centre. There, he worked at the heart of airline logistics, managing the complex and ever-changing movement of pilots across the network. This hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of the pressures and priorities that shape rostering and scheduling in a 24/7 global airline environment.In 2024, Anthony brought this knowledge to AIPA, where he now leads the association’s rostering and scheduling service. His team provides support around the clock, seven days a week, helping members navigate the intricate and often confusing systems that govern rosters. It is no surprise that this service has quickly become one of the most valued benefits among AIPA members.In our conversation, Anthony shares his perspective on current trends in rostering, explains common challenges faced by pilots, and offers practical tips on how to get the most out of AIPA’s rostering support. This episode is a must-listen for any pilot wanting to make sense of the complexities of scheduling.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro04:23 - Pattern Protection17:08 - Commuting31:06 - Sick Leave39:36 - Consultative Meetings42:40 - Open Time Allocation45:20 - Quick Fire Questions46:54 - Closing RemarksFly safe and stick with it.
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Carolyn Vaughan
Send us a textWelcome back to Stick with It!In this episode, we’re joined by Carolyn Vaughan, Principal Human Factors Specialist in Aviation Psychology and Human Factors. We explore the mental and emotional challenges pilots face throughout their training journeys, and how to better prepare for them from the very beginning. Carolyn shares why adopting a “novice mindset” can be so powerful, even for experienced pilots in recurrent training, and offers practical ways to build resilience and bounce back from setbacks like failed sim sessions or difficult feedback.We also discuss how pilots can strengthen study habits, use deliberate practice to retain technical knowledge long-term, and how instructors can support learners through plateaus while creating a psychologically safe environment in high-stakes training.Whether you’re starting out or returning for recurrent checks, this conversation is packed with insights to help you train smarter, stay resilient, and grow as a pilot.🎧 Fly safe and stick with it!Timestamps:00:00 - Intro02:31 - History of Human Factors in Aviation05:51 - Carolyn's Career Path07:00 - New Training Guides08:58 - Training Pathways & Shifting Mindset15:11 - Retaining Information & Learning22:02 - Learning as Adults29:00 - Training Tips for Pilots34:23 - Help Available to Pilots36:13 - OutroFly safe and stick with it.
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Captain Ben Holland & Chris Mulholland
Send us a text🎙 Stick With It – Inside the IOC: Real-Time Decisions, Real-World PressureWelcome back to Stick With It. In this episode, we're going behind the scenes of Qantas operations with Captain Ben Holland, A330 pilot and Manager IOC, and Chris Mulholland, Manager IOC Operations, who brings over 47 years of experience to the table.We dive deep into the Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) the nerve centre of airline operations. What actually happens when a pilot makes a call mid-flight? How does the IOC respond during emergencies or security incidents? And what tools and processes help keep flights running safely and smoothly across the globe?From daily operations to real-world incidents including emergency calls, international airspace challenges, and crisis communications. Ben and Chris walk us through how decisions are made under pressure and why the IOC is critical for pilots and the broader airline network.You’ll hear first-hand:What the IOC actually is and why it mattersThe inner workings of IOC departments and reporting structuresReal incidents handled by the team from Baku to the MaldivesHow the IOC reacts to PAN calls and emergenciesWhat pilots should know about the support available behind the scenesThis one’s a must-listen for anyone curious about what happens beyond the flight deck.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro 00:47 - What is the IOC?03:05 - IOC Operations Overview05:14 - Chris's Aviation Career05:43 - IOC Team Structure08:16 - Communication and Information Flow08:58 - Crisis Management and Escalation13:52 - Middle East Airspace Situation 18:50 - Team Concept and Similarities to Flight Operations21:47 - Medical Emergencies and Unusual Situations22:39 - Baku Diversions25:05 - Evidence-Based Training (EBT) Comparison26:10 - Normal vs Abnormal Days28:19 - On-Time Performance (OTP)32:15 - QF520 Engine Failure Incident37:44 - Pilot Perspective on IOC Operations39:15 - Decision-Making Processes41:01 - Communication Improvements43:57 - Memorable Incidents44:45 - How Pilots Can Help IOC45:37 - Closing RemarksFly safe and stick with it.
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Captain Kev Sullivan (Ret'd)
Send us a textWelcome back to Stick With It! In this powerful and exclusive episode, we’re joined by Capt Kevin Sullivan (Ret’d), whose aviation story is nothing short of extraordinary.Kevin began his career as a U.S. Navy pilot, flying the iconic F-14 Tomcat and training as part of the elite Top Gun program. After his military career, he made the transition to commercial aviation, joining Qantas and flying widebody aircraft across the globe.But it was one fateful day in 2008 that would forever define Kevin's career and test every ounce of his skill and resilience. As the captain of QF72, a flight that experienced a sudden and violent in-flight upset caused by a malfunctioning flight control system, Kevin’s quick thinking and calm leadership under extreme pressure helped save countless lives.In this candid conversation, Kevin shares the highs and lows of his aviation journey from the structured intensity of Top Gun to the deep personal impact of QF72. He speaks openly about the mental toll, the moments of doubt, the support systems that mattered, and the lessons he believes all pilots should carry with them.This is a rare insight into the life and mindset of a pilot who’s seen and experienced it all, from the thrill of fighter jets to the unforgiving reality of real-world emergencies.Whether you're in training, on the line, or in command, Kevin’s story will resonate deeply. It’s not just a story about flying it’s a story about leadership, responsibility, and the human side of aviation.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Intro00:42 - Top Gun & Flying the F-1417:08 - Life in Australia & Flying for Qantas21:49 - QF7231:52 - Aftermath of QF7243:44 - Automation 46:28 - Reduced Crew Operations 51:43 - Life after flying 55:05 - Closing wordsFly safe and stick with it.
Presented by the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), Stick With It is a podcast for pilots who want to learn, reflect, and grow in their profession.Each episode features conversations with experienced guests from current to former pilots and aviation experts, sharing stories, practical skills, and timeless advice for navigating a career in aviation.Fly safe and stick with it.
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