Runway Life

Runway Life
  • 5.0 (11)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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.

  1. JAN 24

    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, comfort, noise reduction, and value so you can make an informed decision before spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. Whether you’re just starting flight training or upgrading your gear, this video will help you understand: ✔️ ANR vs passive noise reduction ✔️ Comfort and fatigue on long flights ✔️ What instructors and airline pilots actually use ✔️ Price vs performance (what you REALLY get for your money) ✔️ The best headset for student pilots vs career pilots Aviation headsets aren’t just about comfort—they impact communication, safety, and learning efficiency. Craig shares real-world pilot insights to help you avoid common mistakes and pick the right headset for your flying journey. ⸻ 🛫 Subscribe to Runway Life for real pilot advice, training tips, aviation news, and behind-the-scenes airline and GA content. 👍 Like, comment, and share to help other pilots make smarter training decisions! Sponsored by: https://www.firstlandings.com/

    14 min

  2. JAN 16

    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 ADS-B data. But the fight isn’t over — we still need YOUR voice. Even as the bill advances, pilot involvement is crucial to make sure our concerns are heard and meaningful solutions are enacted. That’s why we’re spotlighting a petition that’s gaining traction within the GA community. 👉 Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/calling-to-halt-the-use-of-adsb-data-for-billing

    3 min

  3. 12/19/2025

    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 early vs later in your careerHow seniority directly affects quality of lifeThe reality of marriage and family life as an airline pilotFlying on holidays, weekends, and birthdaysHow upgrading to Captain changes schedule flexibilityWhat aspiring airline pilots don’t realize about long-term lifestyleThis is a candid conversation for: Pilots considering the airline career pathSpouses and families wanting to understand the lifestyleCFIs and commercial pilots thinking long-term about quality of lifeIf you’ve ever wondered whether the airline job is “worth it” beyond the paycheck, this episode gives you a real-world look from someone living it.

    38 min

  4. 12/14/2025

    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 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 recruiters are actually looking for right now Whether you’re a commercial pilot building time, preparing for your ATP, or deciding if additional training makes sense before an interview, this episode gives you real-world insight straight from a training provider working directly with today’s airline pipeline.

    14 min

  5. 11/28/2025

    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 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 conversation gives you the real history, the facts behind the safety changes, and how the rule impacts pilot training, hour-building, regional airlines, and the pilot shortage.

    20 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    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 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 you better understand real-world aircraft systems failures, pilot decision-making, and how media often mischaracterizes aviation events. www.firstlandingsaviation.com James Williams – Chief Pilot, First Landings Aviation 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes of Runway Life featuring real pilots, mechanics, and flight school experts. #pilot #aviation #westjet #stmaarten #SXM #planespotting #runwaylife #aviationsafety #pilotpodcast #firstlandingsaviation

    7 min

  7. 09/30/2025

    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 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 the unthinkable — a forced ocean landing. This episode of Runway Life takes you inside the cockpit during one of aviation’s most feared emergencies and shows how preparation, training, and sheer willpower can make the difference between life and death. ✈️ If you’re a pilot, aviation enthusiast, or just love survival stories, you won’t want to miss this one. #Aviation #PilotStory #ForcedLanding #KeyWest #RunwayLifePodcast #EngineFailure #SurvivalStory #AviationPodcast #FlightTraining #GeneralAviation

    36 min

  8. 09/22/2025

    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 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 quick decision-making, teamwork, and survival in the cockpit. #Aviation, #PilotStory, #EmergencyLanding, #EngineFailure, #RunwayLife, #FlightTraining, #GeneralAviation, #FlyingStories, #PilotLife, #AviationPodcast

    21 min
See All (55)

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Runway Life
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Runway Life
  • Show Website
    Runway Life

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