The Pilot Life

Incredible conversation with Captain Mark covering his nearly 5 decades in the aviation industry, with a remarkable 39 years at Hawaiian Airlines. From the early days flying with his Dad around on TWA metal, to his current position as a Captain and Check Pilot on the B787, his aviation journey has been, in his own words...a fairly tale. Mahalo to Captain Drake for sharing his pilot life story with...

Pull up a chair and sit down for a great conversation with Max. A 4th generation logger and world traveler, his career path changed when he ventured out on a solo trip that would inspire his dreams and set him down the path of aviation.  A remarkable adventure full of surprises!  Check out more aviation podcasts and content here:     / @thepilotlife    “The information provided in this video is fo...

"I was not trying to become a first, I just wanted to be an airline pilot".  Captain Yokko's drive to become an airline pilot was truly remarkable, overcoming vast obstacles at a time when Japanese women were not allowed to become pilots. An inspiring journey pursuing her dreams to become an airline pilot.  Check out more aviation podcasts and content here:  https://www.youtube.com/...

Great conversation with Captain Terry Shaffer, retired airline captain, former fighter pilot, and all around great guy! From his early dreams of Hollywood stardom to flying the F-8 off aircraft carriers, to teaching and training the next generation of airline pilots, his stories and experiences are certain to enlighten and entertain. Check out more aviation podcasts and content here: https://www.y...

Great conversation with Captain Kali about her journey to the pilot seat of a Cessna Grand Caravan and the challenges overcome along the way. She has a ton of great insights for pilots looking to pursue a career in aviation with her great stories from learning to fly in Hawai‘i.  Check out more aviation podcasts and content here:    / @thepilotlife  Learn more about the Pacific Flight Academy here...

Great conversation with Captain Ty about his aviation journey from Aerobatics to the Airlines. He shares a lot of great instructional content on his podcast as well as instagram account.  Talk Flying podcast https://www.youtube.com/@tyfrisby Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ty_frisby/?hl=en “The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal podcast...

In this episode, we sit down with Captain Greg “Boss” Wooldridge, a respected leader in naval aviation history. Greg is the only pilot to have led the Blue Angels three times, a rare distinction that speaks volumes about his leadership, trust, and performance under pressure. His career spans decades of excellence—from a distinguished Navy career, to the flight deck as a FedEx pilot, and now impact...

A full circle moment to sit down and chat with Captain Mike Swanigan aka "Swani" about his amazing journey to the flight deck. His dreams of becoming a pilot as a young boy were quickly dashed when he found out that African Americans were not allowed to be pilots. His resilience and drive kept him on a course to become not only an Air National Guard pilot, but also the Chief Pilot and ev...

Awesome conversation with Captain Ernie Meeks aka "Big Ern" ( yes, we get the backstory on that call sign!) From early dreams of being a pilot to flying the C-5 Galaxy - One of the largest military transports in the world. Ernie's aviation journey has taken him around the world and back again! He is currently a B-737 pilot for Southwest Airlines where he shares his aviation stories...

The saying "the best things in life aren't easy" comes to mind when hearing Arlette's aviation story. From a young girl in Germany pursuing her dreams of flying to the skies over the United States and beyond, It has been quite the journey to the flight deck for Airline Pilot and accomplished skydiver Arlette Donzey.  Sit back and enjoy her story! Check out her Instagram page fo...

Such a privilege to sit down with LaMar, one of the longest tenured Horizon pilots where he also served as the chief pilot for 2 decades. Great conversation covering the history of the airline and lessons learned in nearly 40 years of airline flying.  Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im7F3MKtAOk “The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only....

Sit down for a jolly good chat with Captain Steve Randall! From crossing the Atlantic Ocean in small, general aviation aircraft to flying the big iron for the airlines, his aviation journey is one for the books! And speaking of books, he is an accomplished aviation author and master story teller. BOOK GIVEAWAY! (2 LUCKY WINNERS) DRAWING 9/10/2025 AT 12PM PDT📘 🎉  Visit the YouTube Video and leave...

Great conversation with Bobby ; Hawaiian Airline pilot and co-founder of the Honolulu based Pacific Flight Academy. We talk Career pivots, flying during Covid, starting a flying academy and so much more! Check out the Pacific Flying Academy here: https://www.pacificflightacademy.com https://www.instagram.com/pacificflightacademy Follow The Pilot Life for more aviation content: https://www.instagra...

Captain Ron is one of the most experienced, and most humble pilots I have ever met. His story is simply incredible, from flying P-51 Mustangs, Mig-21s and F-14's to heavy iron like the Boeing 747. Sit back and enjoy his aviation journey!

Excited to share my conversation with Jessie, a pilot and friend I've had the privilege of knowing for 25+ years.  She entered the airline industry during the  early 2000's, a difficult time to start your airline dream.  Hired, furloughed, corporate pilot, airline pilot, around the world and back.  Enjoy the conversation with Jessie as she talks about her journey to the flight deck of Al...

Huge thanks to Captain Ron "Rhino" Kirkland for indulging me in my breakdown of famous TopGun scenes. Awesome to be able to sit down with someone who flew the Tomcat and speak about the capabilities and performance of this amazing aircraft.  Be sure to check out his full podcast on an upcoming episode of The Pilot Life where we talk about not only his journey to the Navy, but also flying...

An honor to sit down with a personal mentor and talk about Kenny's amazing aviation career.  From his first awe-inspiring experiences in small bush planes to becoming one of the original pilots at Horizon Air, where he helped lay the groundwork for a regional airline that would reshape Northwest aviation. After joining Alaska Airlines, his career progressed over three decades, during which he...

In this episode, we sit down with aviation legend, John Swanson, for a conversation that spans over five decades of flying experience. From piloting the iconic OV-10 to soaring at high altitudes in the U-2, John has seen and done it all. With nearly 21,000 hours of flight time — that's over two years in the sky — his expertise is unmatched. John's impressive career includes flying for De...

Hop aboard the mighty A-10 as we sit and reminisce with Captain Joe Blunt about his Air Force training, transition to the airlines, and everything in between. Joe is simply a great guy and awesome pilot who I've had the pleasure to work beside. One of the great aviation minds in the industry! Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITrkvbGZO2g

Awesome experience to sit down and chat with Captain Greg Perry and reflect on his over 30 years in the aviation industry.  Great stories about leadership, overcoming challenges, and good ol' fashioned flying fun!

At an early age Joe was fascinated with all things aviation. As a young boy, he would ride around on his toy airplane eyes pointed skyward. His dreams of becoming a pilot took him from the sun-soaked beaches of Florida as a student pilot, to the breathtaking landscapes of Alaska flying floatplanes. When circumstances led Joe out of the flight deck, he didn't see it as the end of a dream...jus...

Tom Perkins has seen his share of L.I.V.I.N' With over 3 decades in (and out of) Aviation,  he's seen the comings and goings of good times, not so good times,  and everything in between. His aviation roots tie to his Grandfather who was a WW2 pilot....and he's also a Nashville singer-songwriter where he pursues his  lifelong passion for music.  An incredible story teller,  musician,...

I first met Brandon Bailey over 20 years ago as a new pilot working on his commercial license. In the years since, he has served the United States in combat operations as a F-15 fighter pilot, is an Airbus Captain and Chief Pilot for American Airlines , and currently flies the F-15 for the California National Guard. In addition to all of his career successes, he is still the amazingly humble and k...

An amazing conversation with a generational pilot who witnessed the deregulation of the airline industry , as well as the transitioning to the jet age, and the safety improvements seen in the industry. He shares his experiences flying the Twin Otter through SE Alaska, as well flying the Boeing 727 and MD80.  Music licensed by www.epidemicsound.com “The information provided in this video is for ent...