Runway Life

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 understanding the mechanical side of aviation is just as valuable as flying.

If you’re a pilot curious about maintenance, a student considering dual certification, or just love aviation career stories, this episode is for you.


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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 what it’s really like when the engine quits — and how preparation makes all the difference.

📺 Subscribe for more real pilot stories, flight training insights, and aviation news.
🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

#EngineFailure #EmergencyLanding #RunwayLifePodcast #FlightTraining #CFIStories #Aviation

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 episode brings clarity to the noise and reaffirms that it’s not too late.

If you’re passionate about flying and committed to the journey, there’s still a seat waiting for you.

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 considering flight school, this episode gives a firsthand look at how achievable your goals can be with the right plan.

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 prepping for an IFR flight, this episode is a must-listen for tech-savvy pilots looking for the next evolution in EFBs.

📱 Learn what makes AvNav tick, and why it just might be the app your flight bag’s been missing.

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

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 #GreenAviation

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, innovation, and inspiration from the front lines of the green aviation movement.

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 used parts

🚀 Whether you’re a pilot, mechanic, or just an aviation enthusiast, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at the business of keeping aircraft flying long after retirement!

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#AircraftParts #AviationBusiness #RunwayLife #ACShares #PilotLife