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PODCAST

Runway Life

Runway Life is a general aviation podcast, seeking to shed light on current issues, and unpack the different opinions and angles of the industry. Runway Life aims to be the podcast for EVERYONE in aviation, not just the pilots.

leisure aviation

All Episodes

37:31

Airline Pilot Work Life Balance Explained

Runway Life ·

2025/12/19

In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down with Andrew Barton, a legacy airline First Officer soon upgrading to Captain, to talk honestly about what airline pilot work-life balance is really like. We cover the topics pilots and their families care about most: What airline schedules look like early vs later in your careerHow seniority directly affects quality of lifeThe reality of marriage and family life as an airline pilotFlying on holidays, weekends, and birthdaysHow upgrading to Capta...

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14:10

ATP CTP: Everything You Need Before Your ATP Checkride

Runway Life ·

2025/12/14

In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down with Alyshia of the AeroStar Training Services team to break down what pilots really need to know about ATP CTP courses, type ratings, and the current airline hiring environment. We discuss: What ATP CTP is and who actually needs itThe ATP CTP courses AeroStar offers and how they differAircraft type ratings available through AeroStarWhy some pilots are choosing to complete ATP CTP or a type rating before an airline interviewHow today’s pilot h...

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20:22

1500 Hour Rule EXPLAINED: What Really Happened After...

Runway Life ·

2025/11/28

In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down with Chief Pilot Jim Williams for a deep dive into one of the most debated topics in aviation: the 1500 Hour Rule. We break down where the rule came from, how the Colgan Air 3407 crash directly influenced the legislation, and how today’s airline industry applies (and debates) the rule when hiring and training new pilots. Whether you’re a student pilot, a flight instructor, or an aspiring airline pilot, this conversation gives you the real hi...

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7:13

WestJet St. Maarten Incident - Chief Pilot Reacts

Runway Life ·

2025/11/25

In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with First Landings Aviation Chief Pilot James Williams to break down the recent WestJet incident at St. Maarten (SXM). A viral video led many to believe it was a “hard landing,” but the truth is far more complex. James explains what actually happened on short final, why the aircraft reacted the way it did, and how a specific equipment failure caused the dramatic touchdown seen across social media. Whether you’re a student pil...

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35:36

Pilot SURVIVES Forced Ocean Ditching Emergency in Key...

Runway Life ·

2025/09/30

Craig sits down with pilot Adam Barney to hear his unbelievable survival story after experiencing dual engine failure and being forced to ditch his aircraft in the ocean off Key West. What started as a routine flight quickly turned into a fight for survival as Adam lost both engines and had no choice but to attempt a water landing. From the moment he called Mayday to the dramatic rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard, local police, and the involvement of the FAA and NTSB, Adam recounts the harrowin...

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20:34

Engine Failure at Night: Circling a Dark Runway to...

Runway Life ·

2025/09/22

In this episode of Runway Life, Adam Barney shares the unforgettable night when his airplane lost power over a dark runway. With his wife in the back seat and a flight instructor beside him, Adam had to circle over a grass strip with no margin for error. Hear what went through his mind, how training prepared him for the moment, and what every pilot can learn from this real-life emergency. Whether you’re a student pilot, a seasoned aviator, or just curious about what happens when an engine qui...

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13:01

Aircraft Leasebacks - What You Need to Know

Runway Life ·

2025/09/12

In this episode of Runway Life, Craig Butterworth sits down with flight school owner and president Adam Valencic to break down everything you need to know about aircraft leasebacks. They dive into the positives and negatives, what to consider if you’re thinking about a leaseback to offset the cost of flight training, the different styles of leasebacks, and all the details on how the process actually works. If you’ve ever wondered whether a leaseback could be the right financial strategy for...

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22:38

NAVY Top Gun to Legacy Airline Pilot

Runway Life ·

2025/09/04

In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Alex Howell — a former U.S. Navy F/A-18 Top Gun pilot who transitioned to the airlines and is now stepping into an instructor role on the Airbus A350 at a major legacy carrier. Alex opens up about his path from flying fighters off carriers to life as an airline pilot, what the transition really looked like, and how he built a successful career without coming from a “legacy” aviation background. He also shares valuable advi...

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7:52

New FAA Rule Changes EVERYTHING

Runway Life ·

2025/08/27

In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Adam Valencic, president and owner of First Landings Aviation, to break down the FAA’s new MOSAIC rules and what they mean for light sport aviation. Together, they explore how the updated regulations could reshape pilot training, expand opportunities for aspiring aviators, and potentially re-open the sport pilot pathway for those looking for a more affordable entry into aviation. If you’ve ever considered becoming a pilot o...

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20:39

Air India Crash from a Boeing 787 Instructor/Test Pilot

Runway Life ·

2025/08/19

In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down with James Williams — former A-10 pilot, United Airlines captain, and Boeing 787 instructor — to break down the preliminary report on the recent Air India 787 crash. James brings his unique perspective as both a combat veteran and current airline instructor to explain what we know so far, highlight the complexities of the 787, and share insights from his own training that shed light on the accident. Whether you’re a pilot, an aviation enthusia...

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6:37

Orlando Health Medevac Pilot and NEW Equipment

Runway Life ·

2025/08/11

In this episode of Runway Life, we take you behind the scenes with the pilots of Orlando Health’s brand-new medevac helicopter. From advanced avionics to lifesaving mission capabilities, we get an inside look at what it takes to fly critical care patients safely and efficiently. Hear firsthand from the pilots about their training, the challenges of EMS flying, and the rewarding moments that make the job worth it. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, an aspiring EMS pilot, or just curious a...

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15:25

Stage 4 Hodgkin’s to Flight Instructor

Runway Life ·

2025/08/03

In this powerful episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Ryan, a Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor who refused to let cancer take away his dream of flying. After losing his medical during treatment, Ryan fought to get it back — and not only returned to the skies, but became a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFI-I) at First Landings Aviation. Ryan shares his journey through diagnosis, recovery, and the long process of regaining his FAA medical. Now serving as ...

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16:45

How a Flight Attendant Becomes an Airline Pilot

Runway Life ·

2025/07/26

In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Daniel Gunther, a former JetBlue flight attendant who is making the jump from the cabin to the cockpit. Daniel shares what life was like working as a flight attendant, why he decided to pursue flying, and what it’s been like transitioning into pilot training. Now in the early stages of timebuilding, Daniel offers a unique perspective on seeing aviation from both sides of the flight deck and talks about his ultimate goal of...

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10:27

Why Should You Become a Pilot?

Runway Life ·

2025/07/19

In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Jonathan, a passionate student pilot who recently began his aviation journey at First Landings Aviation. Jonathan shares why he chose to start flight training, what his experience has been like so far, and how the supportive training environment at First Landings helped him grow. Jonathan is now joining the Runway Life team! Hear about his motivation to get involved behind the scenes, his creative background, and how he pl...

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6:27

Certified Flight Instructor with a TWIST

Runway Life ·

2025/07/12

In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with CFI-I Abby Lloyd, a passionate flight instructor who’s taking a bold and uncommon path — pursuing her A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certification while actively teaching students to fly. Abby shares how her aviation journey began at ATP Flight School, how she finished her CFI training at First Landings Aviation, and what inspired her to step into the world of aircraft maintenance. From her experience as a flight instru...

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18:46

Engine Failure at 900 Feet

Runway Life ·

2025/07/05

In this gripping episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Certified Flight Instructor Phil, who shares his real-life experience of an engine failure at only 900 feet AGL. With no time to waste, Phil talks us through how he kept his cool, made split-second decisions, and executed a textbook emergency landing in a field — walking away safe and sound. ✈️ What went wrong? 🧠 What was going through his mind? 🛬 How did his training kick in under pressure? This episode is a

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15:17

Is It Too Late to Become an Airline Pilot? Is the...

Runway Life ·

2025/06/08

In this episode of Runway Life, Craig and Adam tackle one of the most pressing questions in aviation today: Is it too late to become an airline pilot? With rumors swirling about the end of the pilot shortage and a shifting job market, many aspiring aviators are wondering if they’ve missed their window. Craig and Adam break down the data, the headlines, and the history—highlighting how pilot hiring is inherently cyclical, and how the aviation community often overreacts to short-term trends. W...

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17:55

How to START an Aviation Podcast

Runway Life ·

2025/06/01

In this special Runway Life episode, Craig and Derek take a look back at the journey of launching an aviation podcast — from brainstorming ideas to interviewing industry pros. Whether you’re thinking about starting your own aviation podcast or just curious about what goes on behind the mic, this episode is packed with insight, reflection, and inspiration.

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23:16

How HE Got His Private Pilot License in 36 Hours

Runway Life ·

2025/05/24

In this episode of Runway Life, Craig Butterworth sits down with Nicholas Burzotta, a recent graduate of First Landings Aviation’s Part 141 program, who earned his Private Pilot License in just 36 hours of flight time. Nicholas shares how structured training, focused dedication, and the right instructor support helped him fast-track his aviation journey. Whether you’re a student pilot or considering flight school, this episode gives a firsthand look at how achievable your goals can be...

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6:58

This Aviation App Might Change How You Fly

Runway Life ·

2025/05/10

In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with Sunjay, the CEO and founder of AvNav, a bold new aviation app that’s shaking up the general aviation world. Designed as a streamlined, affordable, and modern alternative to ForeFlight, AvNav is gaining traction fast among pilots looking for a powerful tool without the complexity or price tag of bigger apps. We dive into Sunjay’s inspiration behind the platform, what makes AvNav different, and how it’s helping both student pilots and experience...

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53 results

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