PODCAST · leisure
Runway Life
by 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.
Episodes
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The Fight to Save America's Airports
What happens when an airport becomes the target of development pressure, local government decisions, or changing community priorities? In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with Stacey Heaton from AOPA to discuss the growing challenges facing airports across America and the efforts underway...
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He Took On the Entire System—and Won
For years, general aviation pilots have fought back against efforts to use ADS-B data to track and bill aircraft for airport operations. Few people have been more involved in that fight than Don Frano. In this episode of Runway Life Podcast, Don joins us to discuss the latest developments in the...
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A UNANIMOUS WIN FOR PILOTS
Florida pilots and aircraft owners just received major news for general aviation. Both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate have unanimously passed legislation that halts the use of ADS-B data for airport landing fee billing. The bill now heads to the desk of Ron DeSantis…
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Part 61 vs. Part 141 : What You NEED to Know
In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down with Pete Lankester, co-owner of First Landings Aviation, for an in-depth, honest conversation about one of the biggest decisions a future pilot will make: Part 61 or Part 141 flight training? If you’re considering flight school — or already…
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Best Aviation Headsets for Student Pilots
In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down to break down one of the biggest purchases a new flight student will make—their aviation headset. From the legendary Bose A20 and A30, to Lightspeed Zulu, David Clark, and other Quiet Technologies headsets, we cover the real differences in price,...
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NEW ADS-B Bill PASSED Committee
In this episode of Runway Life, we break down the latest development on the ADS-B billing issue — the proposed bill has passed committee and is now moving forward toward the U.S. Senate! This is a major step in the effort to protect general aviation pilots from unfair billing practices using…
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Airline Pilot Work Life Balance Explained
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...
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ATP CTP: Everything You Need Before Your ATP Checkride
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 it The ATP CTP...
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1500 Hour Rule EXPLAINED: What Really Happened After Colgan 3407
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...
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WestJet St. Maarten Incident - Chief Pilot Reacts
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…
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Pilot SURVIVES Forced Ocean Ditching Emergency in Key West
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...
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Engine Failure at Night: Circling a Dark Runway to Survive
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...
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Aircraft Leasebacks - What You Need to Know
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…
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NAVY Top Gun to Legacy Airline Pilot
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...
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New FAA Rule Changes EVERYTHING
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…
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Air India Crash from a Boeing 787 Instructor/Test Pilot
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...
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Orlando Health Medevac Pilot and NEW Equipment
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…
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Stage 4 Hodgkin’s to Flight Instructor
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…
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How a Flight Attendant Becomes an Airline Pilot
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...
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Why Should You Become a Pilot?
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...
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Certified Flight Instructor with a TWIST
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…
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Engine Failure at 900 Feet
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...
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Is It Too Late to Become an Airline Pilot? Is the Shortage Over?
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...
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How to START an Aviation Podcast
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...
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How HE Got His Private Pilot License in 36 Hours
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...
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This Aviation App Might Change How You Fly
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...
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Pilots vs. Landing Fees: The ADS-B Controversy at Kissimmee
In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with two longtime tenants of Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) who are raising serious concerns about how their ADS-B data is being used — not for safety, but to charge unexpected landing fees. With Vector collecting tracking data and invoicing flights...
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Test Pilots Reveal What It’s Really Like to Fly an Electric Plane
What’s it really like to test fly an all-electric airplane? We sat down with the official test pilots of H55’s revolutionary electric aircraft to hear their unfiltered thoughts. From the silence in the cockpit to the surprising performance, they share what it’s like to fly a plane powered…
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Electric Airplanes are HERE - Meet the FUTURE Tesla of General Aviation
We came down to Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo to get an exclusive first look at the future of flight: Bristell's brand-new electric aircraft for general aviation, powered by H55. ⚡✈️ In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with the CEO and CTO of H55 to talk about their revolutionary electric...
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What Happens to Old Airplanes? How Aircraft Parts Get a Second Life
Ever wonder what happens to retired airplanes? In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down with Daniel and the team at AC Shares to dive into the fascinating world of aircraft parting and resale. AC Shares is a leading airplane parts supplier, specializing in recycling, refurbishing, and...
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I Quit Trucking to Become a Pilot!
🚛✈️ From Trucking to the Sky! Join us on this episode of Runway Life as Daniel Borquez sits down with Craig Butterworth to share his incredible journey from life on the road to life in the cockpit. Daniel explains why he saved up while trucking to dive headfirst into full-time flight training,...
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Airline Pilot Breaks Down Airline Pilot Pay Structure
In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Andrew Barton, a First Officer at a major airline, to break down pilot salaries, pay structures, and what future pilots can expect throughout their careers. From flight instructing wages to regional airline pay and the…
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How Does A Magneto Work?
In this episode of Runway Life, A&P mechanic Adam takes us inside a magneto, breaking down its components and explaining exactly how it works. As he opens one up on camera, Adam walks through each part, from the coil and impulse coupling, to the contact points and distributor gear, showing how…
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Former DCA Regional Pilot Thoughts on DCA Crash
Today we e sit down with a major airline pilot who previously flew for the regionals and has extensive experience operating in and out of Washington National Airport (DCA). He shares his insights on the unique challenges of flying into DCA, the demanding procedures pilots must follow, and his...
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Orlando Executive Airport Landing Fee Update
In this episode of Runway Life, Craig shares an important update on the ongoing discussion about landing fees. Thanks to coordinated efforts within the aviation community, the push to implement landing fees has been put on hold—for now. But what does this mean for pilots, flight schools, and...
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CFI for Less Than 30k!
In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sit down with Adam Valencic, owner of First Landings Aviation, to explore how becoming a Light Sport Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) for under $30,000 is not only possible but also a smart, cost-effective way to kickstart your aviation career. Adam shares...
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747 Cargo Pilot Traveling the World
In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with Cody Barber, who began his aviation career at First Landings Aviation over six years ago. Starting with just 97 hours, Cody immersed himself in instructing and walked away with over 3,700 hours of flight experience. Known for his dedication and...
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A&P Mechanic Gives Preflight Check Advice
Giveaway Link: https://runwaylifegiveaway.com/ Welcome back to Runway Life! In this episode, we’re joined by experienced mechanic Stuart Lankester as he shares valuable preflight check advice that goes beyond the standard checklist. From spotting smoking rivets to identifying subtle signs of wear...
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Pilot + A&P Mechanic? The Ultimate Aviation Career Combo!
In this exciting episode of The Runway Life Podcast, host Craig Butterworth sits down with Stuart Lankester, a rising star in aviation who’s carving out his path as both an A&P mechanic and a pilot. Together, they dive into the unique advantages of combining these two skill sets in the aviation...
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My Airline Interview Experience – Here’s What Happened!
runwaylifegiveaway.com In this episode of Runway Life, host Craig Butterworth sits down with 1500-hour CFI Anthony Hachem, who’s on his way to a major airline with a conditional job offer and a set class date. Anthony dives into the nitty-gritty of the airline interview process with a 121...
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Never Become a Commercial Pilot for the Money
This week, Craig Butterworth is joined by Anthony Hachem, a 1500-hour CFI with a conditional job offer and class date at a 121 airline operation. Anthony’s career is about to take off (literally!), but not without hard work, dedication, and lessons learned along the way. 🎙️ Here’s what you’ll…
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CFI Tails: Jumpers on Final Approach
Subscribe and Sign Up for a chance to Win 5 Free Flight Hours! https://runwaylifegiveaway.com/ This week on Runway Life, we sit down with Anthony Hachem, a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFI-I) who recently crossed the 1,500-hour milestone on his journey toward becoming an airline pilot....
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Spin Training, Student Errors, Simulated Emergencies
In this episode of Runway Life, Craig sits down with Joe Skurkis, an experienced Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFI-I), to dive into some of the most crucial aspects of flight training. From mastering spin training to understanding emergency procedures, Joe shares his insights on...
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How to PASS the CFI Checkride
In this episode of Runway Life, Derek shares his journey of tackling the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) checkride! Fresh off the experience, he sits down with Craig to break down how the day went—from the oral exam to the flight portion. Together, they dive into the CFI Airman Certification...
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Pilot Joe's Essential Advice for Student Pilots
In this insightful episode of Runway Life, CFII pilot Joe joins us to break down the essential questions and actions every student pilot should consider to make the most of their training journey. From choosing the right instructor to mastering foundational skills, Joe shares tips and strategies...
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My FIRST Day at the Airline
In this episode of Runway Life, join Andrew Barton, a First Officer at a major airline, as he pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to transition from 1,500 hours to the right seat of a commercial jet. Andrew takes us step-by-step through the intense experience of simulator training,...
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Timebuilding to 1500 Hours
In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with Andrew Barton, a seasoned First Officer at a major airline, to explore one of the most formative stages in any pilot’s career: the 250 to 1500-hour journey as a flight instructor. Andrew dives into how those critical hours spent teaching others not...
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The FIRST Steps in Becoming a Pilot
In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with Andrew Barton, a First Officer at a major airline, as he shares an in-depth look at his early journey through flight training and the crucial first 250 hours. Andrew recounts the challenges, milestones, and memorable moments that shaped his path to...
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Ask the Flight School Owner
In this episode of Runway Life, we sit down with flight school owner Adam Valencic for a special Q&A session! We dive into your most pressing general aviation questions, covering everything from flight training tips to industry insights. Adam also shares his expertise as we answer questions from...
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X Insurance CEO's Different Approach to Insurance
X Insurance is a leading provider of customized insurance solutions for individuals and businesses in high-risk industries. Unlike traditional insurance carriers, X Insurance offers specialty coverage tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, providing solutions where other insurers might...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Runway Life have?
Runway Life currently has 59 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Runway Life about?
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.
How often does Runway Life release new episodes?
Runway Life has 59 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Runway Life?
You can listen to Runway Life on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Runway Life?
Runway Life is created and hosted by Runway Life.
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