Runway Life

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

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

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 packed with real-world insights from the flight school side of the business.

🎥 A great watch for student pilots, aircraft owners, and anyone curious about the economics of aviation!

#Aviation #FlightTraining #Leaseback #RunwayLifePodcast #AircraftOwnership #PilotLife #FlightSchool

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 aviation goals.

Whether you’re aiming for the airlines, curious about the military-to-civilian transition, or just want to hear firsthand lessons from someone who’s flown at the top levels of both military and airline aviation, this episode delivers insights you won’t want to miss.

#Aviation, #TopGun, #AirlinePilot, #PilotLife, #FighterPilot, #RunwayLifePodcast, #FuturePilots, #FlightTraining, #AirbusA350, #PilotAdvice

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’t want to miss.

#Aviation #PilotTraining #SportPilot #LightSport #MOSAIC #FAARules #FlightSchool #FuturePilots #FirstLandingsAviation #RunwayLifePodcast #LearnToFly #FlightTraining #GeneralAviation #AviationPodcast #PrivatePilot #AviationNews

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 the aircraft, the procedures, and the human factors involved.

#AirIndia787Crash #AirIndiaDreamlinerCrash #Boeing787CrashReport #Boeing787Training #AirlineAccidentAnalysis #PreliminaryCrashReport #AirIndia787Investigation #JamesWilliamsPilot #A10Pilot #UnitedAirlinesPilot #RunwayLifePodcast #AviationAccidentAnalysis #DreamlinerCrashExplained #AviationNews #AviationPodcast

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 cockpit of one of the most important aircraft in Central Florida.


📌 Subscribe to Runway Life for more real-world aviation stories, interviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at the people who make aviation happen.

#RunwayLife #AviationPodcast #Medevac #HelicopterEMS #OrlandoHealth

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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 resilience, determination, and what it really takes to pursue your passion in aviation against all odds. Ryan also discusses some of the intricacies of flight training, and the questions you should ask before beginning!

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 ever dreamed of changing careers or wondered what it’s like to go from serving passengers to commanding the controls, this episode is for you.

Come Learn to Fly at https://www.firstlandings.com/

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 dreamers across the industry.