Runway Life

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 to protect them. We take a closer look at the story of Everglades Airpark and explore how AOPA works w...

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 ADS-B billing battle, why recent victories may signal a major turning point, and what it took to bring...

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 to be signed into law. This move comes after growing concerns across the aviation community that ADS-B t...

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 enrolled and wondering if you chose the right path — this episode breaks down the real-world pros and cons o...

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, comfort, noise reduction, and value so you can make an informed decision before spending hundreds (or tho...

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 ADS-B data. But the fight isn’t over — we still need YOUR voice. Even as the bill advances, pilot involveme...

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 career How seniority directly affects quality of life The reality of marriage a...

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 courses AeroStar offers and how they differ Aircraft type ratings available through AeroStar Why some pilot...

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 p...

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 equipme...

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...

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...

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 actual...

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 su...

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 thos...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 perspe...

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! Hea...

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 ins...

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...

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...

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 consid...