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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.
45 Episodes
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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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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 mus...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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 without prior coordination or communication, local pilots are pushing back. Is this the future of general aviation? Or is it a misuse of public flight data? We dive deep into the controversy, explore t...
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 entirely by electricity. In this episode of Runway Life, we go behind the scenes at Sun ’n Fun to explore how H55 is shaping the future of general aviation—and what it means for pilots everywhere. #E...
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 propulsion system, how it’s changing the game for trainers and GA aircraft, and why they’re being recognized as future innovators in sustainable aviation. Whether you’re a pilot, aviation nerd, or just...
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 reselling aircraft components. They break down: https://www.acshares.com/ ✅ How aircraft are parted out and repurposed ✅ The market for used airplane parts – who buys them and why ✅ Challenges & op...
🚛✈️ 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, what he thinks of his decision so far, and why he chose aviation over other career paths. He also talks about his experience training at First Landings Aviation, how he’s handling the challenges of beco...
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 six-figure salaries of major airline captains, Andrew shares his first-hand experience navigating the unique world of pilot compensation. They cover how airline pay scales work, the impact of union contract...
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 they all work together to generate spark for an aircraft engine—without relying on the aircraft’s electrical system. If you’ve ever wondered what’s inside a magneto, how it produces high-voltage pu...
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 thoughts on the recent DCA crash. #AviationNews #DCA #RunwayLife #AviationPodcast #PilotPerspective #FlightSafety #MajorAirlinePilot #FlyingDCA #PilotTalk
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