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 for some incredible flying content:
https://www.instagram.com/arlettedonzey/?hl=en

Follow The Pilot Life for more aviation content:
https://www.instagram.com/thepilotlife121/

“The information provided in this video is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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. This is a personal podcast and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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...just the beginning of the new one.

Throughout his more than 35 years in the aviation industry, Joe has built a depth and breadth of experience. His leadership, rooted in community and purpose, serves him to this day as the CEO of Hawaiian Airlines  as he guides the company through the merger process with Alaska Airlines.

Check out the Video Here:
https://youtu.be/9RhA1NTNbwU?feature=shared

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, aviator and honest to goodness good guy.  What a joy to sit down with Tom and chat about his life. 

“The information provided in this video is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated"

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 kind person I met decades ago.

Check out the Vodcast Here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ThePilotLife

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 entertainment purposes only This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated"

Captain Sandberg comes from an aviation family, with both his Father and Grandfather serving in the military. Amazing stories about his family, the Condor Squadron, lessons learned following an engine failure, and so much more. Grateful for Rob sharing his story with TPL!

“The information provided in this video is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated"

Simon's journey to the flight deck is like none other. As a young man, his love for aviation developed after watching both his Father and Uncle serve for the RAF. He completed his private pilot's license in Oklahoma, and was working in Kuwait City, when he was taken hostage at the Iraq border. Interrogated for 7 days, and sentenced to 8 years in Abu Ghraib, his dreams of becoming a pilot never died. 

Simon's journey from the depths of the darkest prison, to the seat of a modern commercial airliner, is one you don't want to miss. 

Check out the Video Vlog here to see pictures and more!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd7u_nASbJY

Subscribe to Simon's website to stay up on his book release and further publicity:
https://nobordersamemoir.com/

Sit down with Captain Erika as she tells her aviation story, the adversity she has faced, and her journey to the Captain seat for Delta Airlines.

Check out the Vodcast at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASuFwNrhqlg


*The views expressed in this podcast are solely the views of the host and the guest and do not reflect any organizations they have worked for in the past or are currently associated with.

Captain Perry Solmonson is not only an accomplished aviator and business owner, but has also tackled the 7 summits, the 7 highest peaks on each continent. The flying bug bit him early in life, and his passion for the industry, and mentorship is undeniable. 

*The views expressed in this podcast are solely the views of the host and the guest and do not reflect any organizations they have worked for in the past or are currently associated with.

Captain Larry Packer reflects on his experience as Blue Angel #2 during the 1992 season when the documentary "Around the world at the speed of sound"was filmed. Incredible stories of adventure, sacrifice and camaraderie. 

Larry's Journey to jointing the Blues!
https://youtu.be/osKA3qqcZho?feature=shared


Check out the 1994 documentary here:
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Angels-Around-World-Special/dp/B07RCKCMYF

Check out the 2024 documentary here:
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Angels-Brian-Kesserling/dp/B0CV24PLDC

#5 John "Gucci" Foley can be found here:
https://www.gladtobehere.com

Book #1 "Boss" here to speak at your next event:
https://johnfoleyinc.com/greg-boss-wooldridge/

“The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated"

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 a comment to enter to win!

Purchase his book here: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://redwoodbusdriver.com

Follow Captain Steve on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/redwoodbusdriver/?hl=en

Follow The Pilot Life for more aviation content:
https://www.instagram.com/thepilotlife121/

What an opportunity to sit down with an aviator who experienced the incredible growth of the aviation industry from the 1960's to the 1990's.

Captain Chuck is a true pioneer, joining the airlines in 1961 as a DC-6 Flight Engineer. He obtained his pilot's license and became one of the incredible legends to eventually fly as an Alaska Airlines Captain. 

There is a lot to learn from a pilot like Captain Spaeth. Professional, dedicated, and always learning.

Music licensed through:
www.epidemicsound.com

“The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated"

Watch the episode here:
https://youtu.be/5AsFuqd5-jY?feature=shared

Brad Tilden is a general aviation pilot and the retired CEO of Alaska Airlines. 

In this episode, we sit down with Brad to find out about his aviation roots, including his Dad who worked on the "moon buggy" first utilized on the surface of the moon during Apollo 15. He got his pilot's license as a young man and continues to fly regularly. 

His working career took him from a paperboy, to a dishwasher on an Amtrak train, and eventually to the CEO position with Alaska Airlines. We covered a range of topics including  lesson learned during tragedy, leadership and decision making, and the challenges of leading a company through a merger. 

*The views expressed in this podcast are solely the views of the host and the guest and do not reflect any organizations they have worked for in the past or are currently associated with.

Cory has an incredible aviation story from the early days of flight instructing, to operating regional jets in Europe, performing aerial firefighting for over a decade, and now flying as a pilot for a legacy US airline.

Check out the video version of this podcast on Youtube with expanded content!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf4iOF34spaZUAC-ZdOUwJQ

*The views expressed in this podcast are solely the views of the host and the guest and do not reflect any organizations they have worked for in the past or are currently associated with.

Strap in and sit back for an amazing conversation with former Blue Angel and current Airline Captain Larry Packer.

He shares his experience as a Naval Aviator flying off United States' Aircraft Carriers in the A-4, A-6 and F/A-18 Hornet as well as his incredible time as Blue Angel #2 during the early 1990s. 

After a distinguished career in the Navy, he joined the Oregon Air National Guard flying both the F-16 Viper and F-15 Strike Eagle accumulating over 5,000 hours in tactical fighter jet aircraft. 

For the last 19 years, Larry has flown as a Boeing 737 pilot for Alaska Airlines and continues to share his expertise as a Captain and Check Pilot. 

Check out the following links for additional information on the topics discussed on this podcast:
https://www.navy.mil
https://www.blueangels.navy.mil
https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil

Blue Angel Documentary
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18573650/


*The views expressed in this podcast are solely the views of the host and the guest and do not reflect any organizations they have worked for in the past or are currently associated with.

So grateful to have the opportunity to sit down with world renowned CFI and Aviation Humorist Rod Machado.  He shares stories and lessons learned from over 5 decades of flying experiences.

Check out all of his amazing books and aviation content here:
https://rodmachado.com/

*The views expressed in this podcast are solely the views of the host and the guest and do not reflect any organizations they have worked for in the past or are currently associated with.

Super special episode to kick off the podcast with a dear friend and B787 pilot. He has a great story : immigrated from Ireland and France as a young man, fulfilled a life long passion to become a pilot, and now is living his dream. So grateful he took the time to share his story with us. 

Check out Kieran's photography here:
https://www.machphotographer.com

*The views expressed in this podcast are solely the views of the host and the guest and do not reflect any organizations they have worked for in the past or are currently associated with.

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.instagram.com/thepilotlife121/

“The information provided in this video is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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 Alaska Airlines. 

“The information provided is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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 as a test pilot, a cargo pilot on the MD11 and B747 and more!

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 worked on the development of the Juneau JAWS system—groundbreaking weather technology that made one of the most challenging landings in North America significantly safer.

If you enjoy aviation content, check out The Pilot Life Youtube channel, where we feature in depth video podcasts, day in the life videos, and a ton of other cool pilot stuff....plus the occasional giveaways:)

https://www.youtube.com/@ThePilotLife

Follow me on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/thepilotlife121/

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 Delta Airlines and NetJets, adding layers of experience in both military and civilian aviation. Join us as we dive into John's incredible journey, explore the challenges and thrills of being a pilot, and gain insight into the mind of someone who has spent nearly a lifetime navigating the skies.

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 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 and experiences on his social media channels "Flyin with Big Ern". 

A truly enjoyable experience and so grateful for the opportunity to spend some time with Captain Ernie. Check out more of his content below!

https://www.youtube.com/@UC3sGT-zxmi0MNKR5M4SzJgg 
https://www.instagram.com/flyingwithbigern/?hl=en
https://aviatorintelligence.com

Follow The Pilot Life for more aviation content:
https://www.instagram.com/thepilotlife121/

“The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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 eventual Vice President of Flight Operations for Alaska Airlines. An amazing story told through the eyes of a pilot who witnessed some of the most transformational times in the aviation industry. 

Check out Captain Swani's podcast "Talking Flight" here:
https://talkingflight.libsyn.com

Follow The Pilot Life for more aviation content:
https://www.instagram.com/thepilotlife121/?hl=en

“The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. The opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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 impacting audiences worldwide as a sought-after public speaker.

This conversation is packed with insight on leadership, accountability, preparation, humility, and trust, delivered by someone who has lived them at the very highest level.

🎤Check out his speaker information here:
https://johnfoleyinc.com/greg-boss-wooldridge/

✈️ Blue Angel 2026 Season Schedule:
https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/show/

Follow The Pilot Life on Instagram for more aviation content:
https://www.instagram.com/thepilotlife121/?hl=en

Connect with The Pilot Life on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendansodonnell/

“The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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 and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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:
https://www.pacificflightacademy.com

“The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal podcast and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

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.youtube.com/@ThePilotLife

“The information provided in this video is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”

"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/@UCf4iOF34spaZUAC-ZdOUwJQ 


“The information provided in this video is for entertainment purposes only. This is a personal vlog and the opinions expressed are solely those of the participants and do not represent any associations or institutions they may or may not be affiliated with unless expressly stated.”