In this episode of Like a Pilot, Phil answers a question from Miss Seven that’s crossed every passenger’s mind: "What do pilots actually do up there when the autopilot is flying?" (Apart from drinking coffee and chilling, of course.)

We’ll step inside the cockpit to unpack workload — the finite mental capacity we all have, how overload creeps in quietly, and why too little workload can be risky too. Along the way, we’ll revisit two devastating reminders of how quickly margins can disappear: American Airlines 965 and Swissair 111.

And you’ll leave with a simple, practical workload management framework you can use immediately — whether you’re flying an approach, running a shift, leading a team, or drowning in emails.

Where’s Wilkesy? In training. I’ve been back in full student mode while changing fleets, so the Like a Pilot podcast has been put into a holding pattern until the New Year. In the meantime, why not dive into the back catalogue. Perhaps start with the Christmas themed checklist episode, or revisit our most-listened-to deep dive on automation lessons from Air France 447 (a few lawyers in the news lately could probably use a refresher on that one!). Search Like a Pilot on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

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.