Runway Life

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 hiring market is influencing training decisionsCommon misconceptions about getting typed earlyWhat re...

Duration: 00:14:10

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 conv...

Duration: 00:20:22

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 pilot, a commercial pilot, or an aviation enthusiast, this episode will help y...

Duration: 00:07:13

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 harrowing details of what it’s like to face th...

Duration: 00:35:36

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 quits in flight, this is a must-watch story of qu...

Duration: 00:20:34

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 you as a pilot or aircraft owner, this is a must-watch conversation pack...

Duration: 00:13:01

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 advice for aspiring pilots who are working toward their own aviati...

Duration: 00:22:38

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 or want to understand how these changes impact the future of flight training, this conversation is packed with insights you won’...

Duration: 00:07:52

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 enthusiast, or just curious about how modern airliners operate, this conversation offers a rare insider’s look at...

Duration: 00:20:39

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 about what happens in the air during a medical emergency, this episode puts you in the...

Duration: 00:06:37

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 both a CFI-I and the flight school coordinator, his story is an inspiring look at r...

Duration: 00:15:25

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 flying for the airlines as a pilot.

If you’ve e...

Duration: 00:16:45

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 plans to contribute to the podcast as we continue to tell the stories of aviators, mechanics, and...

Duration: 00:10:27

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 instructor to the hands-on work of an A&P apprentice, Abby offers a fresh perspective on why unde...

Duration: 00:06:27

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 must-listen for student pilots, instructors, and aviation fans who want to understand w...

Duration: 00:18:46

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. Whether you’re just starting your flight training or considering a career shift, this episod...

Duration: 00:15:17

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.

Duration: 00:17:55

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 with the right plan.

Duration: 00:23:16

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 experienced aviators navigate the skies smarter and simpler. Whether you’re flying VFR cross-country or prepp...

Duration: 00:06:58

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 the implications for pilots everywhere, and ask the tough question: what will this do to general aviation

Duration: 00:24:10

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.

#ElectricAviation #TestPilots #H55 #RunwayLife #SustainableFlight #FutureOfFlight #PilotLife #SunNFun2025 #GreenAviati

Duration: 00:09:31

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 curious about electric flight, this episode is packed with insights, inno...

Duration: 00:15:42

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 & opportunities in the aviation parts industry
✅ How pilots and mechanics can benefit from quality us...

Duration: 00:12:47

🚛✈️ 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 chall...

Duration: 00:20:00

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 contracts...

Duration: 00:22:24