#272: Cleared for Takeoff: A Pilot Trainer's Insights in Communication- Phil Wilkes
April 01, 2025Categories: Public Speaking, Communication, Leadership, Stage Fright, Podcasting
The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin
The Toastmasters Podcast is like a radio talk show featuring interviews with Toastmasters usually featured in the Toastmaster magazine. The purpose of the podcast is to amplify the magazine - to dig deeper or to put a voice to a face or written wordBut unlike a radio show, a podcast is on the Internet, and available, for free, to anyone in the world with an Internet connection, and a connected device capable of playing audio. 260+ episodes are at ToastmastersPodcast.comThe Toastmasters Podcast is co-produced by Toastmasters International and Archieboy Holdings, LLC, for our global audience of Toastmasters and those interested in public speaking and leadership.
[31:37] We rarely consider how skills from one profession apply to another—especially aviation. Beyond flying and landing a plane, what can pilot training teach us? You might be surprised! Today, our guest, Phil Wilkes shares how lessons from the flight deck benefit anyone, anywhere.
Phil shares his background as a pilot, how his experience both helped and challenged his public speaking journey, and what inspired him to join Toastmasters. He explains how Toastmasters transformed his approach to communication.
We also hear about how he effectively communicates with passengers and crew, the structured processes pilots use to relay information, and one powerful pilot training mindset that every professional can benefit from and more.
Phil also discusses his podcast journey, the importance of sharing lessons from the flight deck with a broader audience, and how The Toastmasters Podcast, the Pitch Us Your Podcast (Idea) contest, to celebrate the podcast's 200th episode all played a role in inspiring him to launch his own show and subsequently get an article published.
About Phil:
Phil Wilkes' passion for human performance has led him on a unique journey—from amateur race-car champion to ski instructor, hockey coach, airline pilot, and now airline pilot trainer. He is the co-author of Performance Pilot, an Amazon best-seller exploring performance principles in aviation. His podcast, Like a Pilot, inspired by public speaking and Toastmasters, delves into how pilots' soft skills extend beyond the flight deck.
A Toastmaster since 2021, Phil is the Immediate Past President of Hawthorn Toastmasters.
His article, "A Pilot’s Perspective on Public Speaking: Taking My Lessons in Aviation from the Flight Deck to the Lectern," is featured in the My Turn section of the July 2024 issue of Toastmaster Magazine.
Phil lives in Melbourne, Australia, and can be reached at PhilWilkes.com, on his Facebook author page, and LinkedIn. His book, Performance Pilot, is available at PerformancePilot.net and on Amazon. His podcast, Like a Pilot, is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
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