The Helicopter Podcast
Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, with your host Halsey Schider! This podcast is for helicopter pilots, maintainers, and enthusiasts. Whether you've been in the industry for 30 years or are just someone that loves helicopters, this podcast is for you. The podcasts will feature guests from a wide array of industry sectors to have casual conversation, answer questions, give sound advice, and talk shop. Finally, a podcast produced by helicopter professionals for all types of helicopter people.
Episodes
Episode #197: Beneath the Rescue Helicopter | Jim O'Neill
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Jim O'Neill of Bristow Group, an experienced helicopter rescue paramedic, winchman, and winch operator whose career has taken him from the infantry to decades of helicopter search-and-rescue operations.Jim takes Halsey inside a challenging rescue with the Iris
Episode #196: How to Get the Most From Heli Flight School | Chad McIntosh & Bailey Gackstetter
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Chad McIntosh and Bailey Gackstetter of Great Lakes Helicopter and HeliSIX in Ontario, Canada, for a conversation about flight training, building helicopter pilots and the value of learning inside a working aviation operation.Chad and Bailey explain why choosing a
Episode #195: Supporting Presidential Helicopter Missions | Beau Prine
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Beau Prine of Aviation Academy Louisiana to discuss a career shaped by military aviation, maintenance excellence, and a passion for developing the next generation of aviation professionals.Before entering aviation education, Beau served as a CH-53 crew chief in the
Episode #194 - Flying Fighters, Combat Missions & Helicopters | C.W. Lemoine
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with fighter pilot, author, and content creator C.W. Lemoine to talk about an aviation career that rarely followed the obvious path.Growing up in Louisiana, C.W. dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, only to be told early on that his eyesight would likely prevent him fro
Episode #193: Behind the Uniform - Coast Guard Aviation & Mental Health | Ryan Vandehei
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Ryan Vandehei, a former Coast Guard helicopter pilot, to talk about his path into military aviation, the realities of Coast Guard flight training, and some of the personal challenges that have come with the journey.Ryan shares what drew him to the Coast Guard Acade
Episode #192: Beyond the Policy - The People Behind Aviation Insurance | Michael & Ryan
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!Aviation insurance can often feel like a complicated process, but behind every policy is a conversation about risk, experience, and finding the right solution.In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey sits down with Ryan Konrath of Wings Insurance and Michael Puglisi of IAT Insurance Group to explore th
Episode #191: The Helicopter Simulator Built to Inspire the Next Generation | Matthias Wendt
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Matthias Wendt, a dentist from Germany who has turned his passion for helicopters into an innovative STEM outreach effort designed to introduce young people to aviation.Matthias’ connection to helicopters started through curiosity rather than a career path. Despite
Episode #190: Guimbal, Building a Better Trainer | Raphael Yver
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Raphael Yver, director of sales and support at Guimbal, to explore the story behind one of the most distinctive helicopter manufacturers in the industry.Raphael shares the remarkable journey of company founder Bruno Guimbal, whose passion for engineering and aviati
Episode #189: The GT50 First Fire - A Milestone for Hill Helicopters | Jason Hill
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this special update episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider welcomes Jason Hill back to the show to discuss one of the biggest milestones in Hill Helicopters' journey—the successful first run of the GT50 turbine engine.Two years after Jason's first podcast with Halsey in which shared his
Episode #188: The Human Side of Helicopter EMS | Graham Ritter
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with longtime friend and fellow Air Evac Life Team pilot Graham Ritter for a conversation that goes far beyond flying helicopters.The two reflect on their time training together at Air Evac and how their careers, families, and perspectives have evolved over the years. A
Episode #187: Leadership Lessons from Precision Helicopters | Mark Paulson & Ty Burlingham
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Ty Burlingham, chief pilot, and Mark Paulson, director of maintenance at Precision, to discuss what it takes to grow a successful helicopter operation while maintaining the culture and standards that got you there.Ty shares his unconventional path into aviation, fr
Bonus Episode: Air Angels | The Helicopter Community That Answered Hurricane Helene
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!When Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the southeastern United States, entire communities were cut off by flooding, landslides, and destroyed infrastructure. In those critical first days, civilian helicopter pilots from across the country stepped up to deliver supplies, rescue stranded residents, and support
Episode #186 Why Business Aviation Needs Better Advocates | Ian Lumpp
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Ian Lumpp, executive sales director at GlobalAir.com, to discuss the role business aviation plays in the broader aviation ecosystem and the challenges the industry faces moving forward.Ian shares insights from his involvement with the National Business Aviation Ass
Episode #185: Developing the Next Generation of Long-Line Pilots | Andre & Kimberly Hutchings
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Andre and Kimberly Hutchings, co-founders of Volo Mission, to discuss what it takes to develop skilled external load pilots and build a culture of safety, leadership, and continuous learning.Drawing on decades of experience in helicopter operations and training, An
Episode #184: Why Strong Pilot-Maintenance Relationships Matter | Keith Moreland
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Keith Moreland of Rotorcraft Services Group (RSG) to discuss the relationships, communication, and leadership principles that help keep aviation operating safely and effectively.Drawing on decades of experience supporting operators across the helicopter industry, K
Episode #183: The Importance of Quality Maintenance | Joe LaRue
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Joe LaRue of Prairie Air, recorded at Verticon 2026, to talk about how the rotorcraft industry is evolving at the operator level.Joe shares his path into aviation and how that led to building Prairie Air into a maintenance and operations-focused business centered a
Episode #182: How Heli Austria Built a Global Helicopter Operation | Roy Knaus
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Roy Knaus of Heli Austria to discuss the company's journey from a small family operation to one of Europe's most established helicopter operators.Roy shares the history of Heli Austria, founded by his father in the 1980s, and reflects on the growth that h
Episode #181: 65 Years of Enstrom Helicopters | Todd Tetzlaff
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, host Halsey Schider sits down with Todd Tetzlaff, senior vice-president of regulatory affairs and global relations at Enstrom Helicopter, to talk about how a legacy manufacturer continues to adapt in today’s market.Todd shares perspective on Enstrom’s long history in the industry and what it ta
Episode #180: From Army Rangers to 160th SOAR | Ryan Walters
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider sits down with Ryan Walters to talk about his path from Army Ranger to pilot in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.Ryan shares how his time in the Ranger Regiment shaped his perspective early on, and how working alongside the 160th during tha
Episode #179: Guest #1 Returns! | Sean Moretz on Networking and Memorable Flights
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider sits down with Sean Moretz—returning as the show’s very first guest more than 170 episodes later.Sean talks through how his role as a designated pilot examiner (DPE) has shaped his career, and how relationships built early in aviation tend to come full c
Episode #178: The MD 500 Training Advantage | JD Parsons
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider sits down with JD Parsons of Colorado Highland Helicopters to talk about a different approach to flight training.JD shares his path from trucking entrepreneur to helicopter operator, and how that background shaped the way he thinks about flight school. T
Episode #177: Burnout and Stepping Back in Aviation | Jesse Munns
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider sits down with Jesse Munns, founder of Awakened, Iron and Soul, to talk about career transitions, mental health, and the realities of stepping back in aviation.Jesse shares his experience working in HEMS, describing the buildup of fatigue and burnout tha
Episode #176: HEMS Safety, Data, and Decision-Making | Steve Soliz of Bell
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider sits down with Steve Soliz from Bell to discuss the evolving landscape of helicopter emergency medical services.Steve brings a global perspective to the conversation, breaking down how HEMS operations are adapting through advancements in avionics, autopi
Episode #175: Beyond Drones: Building Aviation Networks | Cory Vinger - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schrader sits down with Cory Vinger to talk about the evolution of drone technology—and where his focus is shifting next.Cory shares his path from aerospace engineering and flight training into the early days of unmanned aviation, building experience in utility
Episode #174: Fighter Pilot Lessons, Backcountry Flying, and a Water Ditching | Steve Cox - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider sits down with Steve Cox, fighter pilot, airline pilot, and creator of the Cleared Direct YouTube channel, for a wide-ranging conversation about aviation, risk, and the lessons learned from real-world flying.Steve shares the path that led him from milita
Episode #173: From Greenland Operations to Mountain Flying Safety | Simon Whitinger – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded live at European Rotors 2025 in Cologne, host Halsey Schider sits down with helicopter pilot and author Simon Whitinger for a wide-ranging discussion about operations, training, and knowledge sharing in the helicopter community.The conversation opens with Simo
Episode #172: Safety, Drones, and the Future of Robinson Helicopters – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded at Verticon 2026, Halsey Schider sits down with David Smith, ceo of Robinson Helicopters, and Paul Fermo, president of Robinson Unmanned, to discuss safety, innovation, and where the industry is heading next.The conversation opens with a look at recent safety
Episode #171: François Lassale, of VAI on Safety and Pilot Decision-Making - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded at Verticon 2026, Halsey Schider sits down with Francois Lassale, president and ceo of Vertical Aviation International, for a first conversation on leadership, safety culture, and decision-making in aviation.The discussion opens with Halsey sharing a formative
Episode 170: Scenario-Based Training and Future of Safety | Glen White – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!Recorded live at European Rotors 2025, this episode of The Helicopter Podcast features a conversation between Halsey Schider and Glen White from EuroSafety about helicopter training, safety culture, and the growing European market.The conversation begins with Europe’s expanding role in the global helicopter ind
Episode #169 - The Royal Navy, Just Culture, and the Pursuit of Zero | Nick Mayhew – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with longtime helicopter pilot and safety advocate Nick Mayhew to explore a career shaped by military aviation, hard lessons, and an unwavering commitment to safety.Nick shares his journey from the Royal Navy into helicopter operations, in
Episode #168: Climb Higher, Innovation, and the Future of Robinson Helicopters – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with David Smith, ceo of Robinson Helicopters, during European Rotors in Cologne, Germany, for a conversation that blends storytelling, innovation, and the future of rotorcraft.The discussion centers on Robinson’s new book, Climb Higher, a
Episode #167: From Army Interrogator to Combat Pilot, Michael Benton Part II - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part conversation on The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider continues his discussion with Michael Benton, turning the focus toward accident investigation, safety culture, and how aviation organizations learn after things go wrong. Drawing from his experience as an NTSB party member and safety l
Episode #166: From Army Interrogator to Combat Pilot, Michael Benton Part I - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part conversation on The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Michael Benton, whose career in aviation began in an unexpected place. Before flight school, Michael served as a U.S. Army interrogator and Korean linguist, a background that shaped how he evaluates human behavior, decis
Episode #165: Testing, Certification, and the Making of the H140 | Airbus Helicopters – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Dirk Petry, vice president of the light twin helicopters program at Airbus Helicopters, to discuss the unveiling of the H140 and what it takes to design a helicopter with life-saving missions at its core.Recorded around the excitement
Episode #164: Real-World Instruction: Jeremiah Griffith with Horizon Helicopters - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey sits down with Jeremiah Griffith of Horizon Helicopters to talk about instruction, experience, and what it takes to operate safely in high-risk real-world environments. From utility flying and powerline awareness to decision making in training, Jeremiah shares h
Episode #163: Robyn Eagles: The People and Strategy Reshaping Robinson - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Robyn Eagles, vice president of marketing at Robinson Helicopters, for an inside look at how one of the industry’s most recognizable manufacturers is reshaping its voice, visibility, and connection to the helicopter community. From a
Episode #162: Training, Culture, and the Helicopter Brotherhood | Hillsboro Heli Academy - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Jamie and Jared from Hillsboro Heli Academy for a wide-ranging conversation about helicopter training, pilot culture, and what keeps people connected to the industry long after their first flight.The discussion explores how shared exp
Episode #161: How Helicopters Support Critical Infrastructure | Mark Wegele - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey J. Schider sits down with Mark Wegele, director of operations for the Salt River Project, to explore how helicopters support critical infrastructure across the Phoenix region.Mark shares how SRP’s flight department uses helicopters for power line maintenanc
Episode #160 - European Rotors 2025: Workforce Challenges, Growth & What’s Next - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider is joined by Dr. Frank Liemandt, Show Director, and Callum Clench, CEO of European Rotors, to unpack their takeaways from European Rotors 2025 in Cologne—an event that continues to grow in both scale and influence across the global helicopter industry.Th
Episode #159 - Inside the Stories Coming from European Rotors 2025 - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this special solo episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider recaps his trip to European Rotors 2026 in Cologne, Germany, sharing what stood out from the show floor, the conversations he recorded with industry leaders, and the growing focus on safety and regulation across the European helicopter
Episode #158 - Holiday Highlights: The Helicopter Podcast’s Year in Review
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this special holiday episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider looks back on a year packed with industry insights, personal milestones, and unforgettable conversations. From diving into helicopter training and safety with respected experts to exploring lessons borrowed from outside aviation, thi
Episode #157 - Remote Mission Flying with JAARS: Jeff and Gavin - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this special two-guest episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Gavin Jones and Jeff Johnson from JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Relay Service), a mission-based organization using aviation to support Bible translation in remote, unreached language groups. Gavin shares his lifelong passion
Episode #156 - Triumph Over Medical Barriers: Robyn Weisenburger - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Robyn Weisenburger, a helicopter pilot, author, and vice president of the Houston chapter of Women in Aviation International. Robyn shares her remarkable journey of pursuing her passion for aviation despite living with type 1 diabetes since
Episode #155 - Pilots Who Ask Why on Authentic Insights on Training, Careers & Safety - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Jop Dingemans and Janine Lythe from Pilots Who Ask Why for a candid discussion on what’s broken—and what’s working—in today’s helicopter career pathway.They unpack the soaring cost of training in Europe, with instrument ratings now re
Episode #154 - Inside the MD Helicopters Revival with Ryan Weeks - The Helicopter Podcast - Part II
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this special crossover episode, host Halsey Schider is joined by Jon Gray of The Hangar Z Podcast and Vertical senior correspondent Brent Bundy for a candid conversation with Ryan Weeks, President and CEO of MD Helicopters.Weeks shares how his lifelong passion for engineering and performance led him from aut
Episode #153 - Inside the MD Helicopters Revival with Ryan Weeks - The Helicopter Podcast - Part I
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this special crossover episode, host Halsey Schider is joined by Jon Gray of The Hangar Z Podcast and Vertical senior correspondent Brent Bundy for a candid conversation with Ryan Weeks, President and CEO of MD Helicopters.Weeks shares how his lifelong passion for engineering and performance led him from aut
Episode #152 - Flying Tours to Fighting Fire: Tony Melendrez - The Helicopter Podcast - Part II
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with his longtime friend Tony Melendrez, a former colleague from their Maverick Helicopters days. Tony shares his unconventional journey into aviation, sparked by a desire to blend his firefighting family background with helicopt
Episode #151 - Flying Tours to Fighting Fire: Tony Melendrez - The Helicopter Podcast - Part I
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with his longtime friend Tony Melendrez, a former colleague from their Maverick Helicopters days. Tony shares his unconventional journey into aviation, sparked by a desire to blend his firefighting family background with helicopt
Episode #150 - From OCS to Helicopter CFI: Kelsey Hoogendoorn - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider chats with Kelsey Hoogendoorn, an Arizona-based aviation enthusiast and certified helicopter flight instructor (CFI/CFII). Kelsey opens up about her deep-rooted passion for helicopters, sparked during her early days as an Operations Control Speciali
Episode #149 - Terry Palmer: Simulator Training Trailblazer - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Terry Palmer, a trailblazer in helicopter safety and training. Terry shares her remarkable journey from building robots for Disney and Universal Studios to becoming a pivotal figure in aviation safety. Initially a fixed-wing pilot, she foun
Episode 148 - Conquering Spatial Disorientation: Tyson Phillips - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider engages with Tyson Phillips, co-founder of AT Systems and a seasoned Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk pilot with a diverse background in military medevac, military air assault and firefighting. Tyson shares compelli
Episode #147 - Building Safer Skies with TOPS: Christopher Young - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this engaging episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Christopher Young, a seasoned helicopter pilot and executive director of the Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS). With a 20-year U.S. Navy career flying Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawks, Chris shares his journey from naval aviation to
Episode #146 - Human Factors in High Stakes: Ken Wylie - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this captivating episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Ken Wylie, an International Certified Mountain Guide and author of Buried. Unlike typical guests, Ken’s expertise lies not in aviation but in mountaineering, where he has dedicated his career to understanding human factors and d
Episode #145 - Blades of Valor: Lee Benson - Vietnam to FireHawks - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this gripping episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Lee Benson, a 2025 MHM Blades of Valor Award recipient, whose 15,000-plus hours as a helicopter pilot have left an indelible mark on the industry. From his early days as a Vietnam War pilot at 19, Lee transitioned to commercial fly
Episode #144 - Operation Helo - Hope in a Crisis: Eric Robinson - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this inspiring episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Eric Robinson, recipient of the Blades of Valor Award and the driving force behind Operation Helo, a nonprofit that mobilized civilian helicopters for disaster relief during Hurricane Helene’s devastating aftermath in western Nort
Episode #143 - HealthNet’s Legacy of Compassion: Clinton Burley - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Clinton Burley, President and CEO of HealthNet Aeromedical Services, a cornerstone of critical care transport in West Virginia. Starting as a flight paramedic in 1986, Clinton shares his journey from 17 years of frontline clinical work to l
Episode #142 - Hydrogen Powered Helicopters: Dr. Anita Sengupta - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Dr. Anita Sengupta, an aerospace engineer and founder of Hydroplane, who is revolutionizing aviation with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. With a PhD in electric propulsion and 16 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Dr. Sengupta shares
Episode #141 Valor Flight Crew: Blake & Mike on Medevac Heroes - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!Fadale, hosts of the Vertical Valor Flight Crew Podcast on the Helicast platform. Both seasoned professionals with over a decade each of air medical experience, they share exciting stories from critical medevac missions throughout their careers. They explore the vital role of crew resource management, advanceme
Episode #140 - Helicopter Rescue Missions: Jason Quinn - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Jason Quinn, former U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer and host of The Real ResQ Podcast. Jason shares his journey from a high school graduate inspired by his uncle’s Coast Guard service to becoming rescue swimmer No. 500, tackling gruelling t
Episode #139 - Aviation Insurance Insights: Daren Humphries - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Daren Humphries, a seasoned helicopter pilot turned aviation insurance broker at Assured Partners. With a career spanning from flight instruction to law enforcement flying, Daren shares his journey from flying Cessnas in the United Ki
Episode #138 - Aviation Insights: Halsey Schider - Solo - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this solo episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider shares his personal journey from air medical flying to founding Sellacopter, a company revolutionizing aircraft sales. Halsey reflects on the challenges of transitioning from pilot to entrepreneur, highlighting how resilience and networking fue
Episode #137 - Helo Girls & Real-World Safety: Kodey Bogart - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Kodey Bogart, a seasoned aviator whose journey spans military medevac missions to civilian instruction. Kodey shares how her passion for helicopters led to flying air medical missions, both in National Guard UH-60s in Iraq and civilian heli
Episode #136 - Training Insights: Glen White, Euro Safety - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Glen White, founder of Euro Safety, to explore his dynamic contributions to helicopter training and safety. Glen shares how Euro Safety delivers hands-on instruction, from private owners to large operations, using platforms like the t
Episode #135 – Flying a Family Legacy: Taylor English of English Air Service – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Taylor English of English Air Service, a family-run helicopter operation founded in 1986 by Taylor's father. Taylor traces the company’s evolution from agricultural crop dusting to cutting-edge light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and
Episode #134 - eVTOL Visions: Rob Hoffman - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider engages with Rob Hoffman, host of the Cross-Check and Urban EV podcasts, to explore aviation’s next chapter. They dive into the promise of eVTOL technology, which could transform urban mobility, while addressing the critical need for community accep
Episode #133 - Mile High Health Club: Lashae Bacon - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Lashae Bacon, a former Apache pilot turned entrepreneur, who founded Mile High Health Club to boost health and fitness for aviation professionals. Lashae shares insights on her pathway to becoming an Apache pilot, and her journey from mil
Episode #132 - Fast-Track Flyer: Matt Goodrich - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Matt Goodrich, a software engineer who rocketed from student pilot to air medical pro in record time. They explore Matt’s swift transition to flying the advanced Leonardo AW169 helicopter, tackling night shifts and tough weather. Matt sha
Episode #131 - Brazilian Aviation and the S-92: Henrique Lopes - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Henrique Lopes, a Brazilian pilot renowned for his S-92 expertise. Henrique shares practical insights on flying the S-92, highlighting its unique operational challenges, and his experience transitioning into such a large aircraft. He disc
Episode #130 - New Pilot Foundations: Spencer Cahoon - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Spencer Cahoon, a student pilot eager to carve his path in the helicopter industry through networking and dedication. They dive into the essentials of flight training, exploring the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 schools, best p
Episode #129 - High-Flying Futures - Quantum Helicopters: Terry Blakemore - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Terry Blakemore, CEO of Quantum Helicopters, a premier flight school shaping skilled pilots through top-tier training. They explore Quantum’s mission to advance aviation with cutting-edge instruction and strong community outreach, and sha
Episode #128 - Volo Mission: Long Line & Human Behavior – Kimberly Hutchings – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Kimberly Hutchings, an aviation leader whose work with Volo Mission shapes the next generation of utility pilots through specialized training. They explore how emotional intelligence fuels effective leadership and safety, diving into huma
Episode #127 - Air Medical Advocate: Brett Reeder with NEMSPA - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Brett Reeder, president of NEMSPA (National EMS Pilots Association) and a 15-year air medical pilot. They cover a lot of ground—everything from night shift challenges and Crew Resource Management to bigger industry topics like safety,
Episode #126 - Taming the Alps: Daniel Aufdenblatten of Air Zermatt - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!Buckle up for an unforgettable in-person episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded live at Verticon, with your host Halsey Schider and co-host Jon Gray, the voice behind the Hangar Z Podcast! Today's guest, Air Zermatt CEO Daniel Aufdenblatten, takes them on a wild ride through his remarkable life in avi
Episode #125 - 17,000 hour Flight Instructor: Simon Jones - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Simon Jones, founder of Advanced Flight and a top-tier helicopter instructor at the Robinson Helicopter factory. With over 17,000 hours of flight time, including over 12,000 hours teaching in the Robinson R44, Simon's name is known f
Episode #124 - UAVs and Helicopters Unite: Verticon 2025 - Ascent Aerosystems – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this buzzing in-person episode, host Halsey Schider takes The Helicopter Podcast to Verticon 2025 for a panel that’s all about the skies teaming up. Recorded live amid the show’s hum, Halsey is joined by Peter Fuchs of Ascent Aero Systems, regulatory specialist Amber Harrison from Vertical Aviation Internati
Episode #123 - Flying with the LAPD: Hangar Z and The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, your host Halsey Schider welcomes the legendary Jon Gray and Jack Schonely, from The Hangar Z Podcast, for an in-depth discussion on law enforcement aviation! They dive into recent highlights from Hangar Z, including Halsey's unforgettable ride-along with the LAPD
Episode #122 - Luxury helicopters: Cornéll Grové and Dr. Daniel Borer from Swiss Premium – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with industry colleagues and friends, Cornéll Grové and Dr. Daniel Borer, to discuss their latest venture: Swiss Premium. This high-end helicopter brokerage specializes in offering clients nearly new luxury helicopters, emphasizing unpara
Episode #121 - Power in the Sky: Verticon 2025 with Pete Anderson of PG&E – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this electrifying episode, host Halsey Schider brings The Helicopter Podcast to the buzzing floor of Verticon 2025, sitting down with Pete Anderson, senior manager of helicopter operations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). As California’s biggest utility—powering one in 20 Americans—PG&E le
Special Bonus Episode! - The Airbus H140 Takes Flight: Verticon 2025 with Dirk Petry and Volker Bau – The Helicopter Podcast
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this thrilling in-person episode, host Halsey Schider brings The Helicopter Podcast to Verticon 2025, sitting down with Airbus Helicopters’ Dirk Petry, a 25-year engineering veteran, and test pilot Volker Bau. Recorded live amid the show’s buzz, they unveil the H140—a perfect blend of the H135’s affordabilit
Episode #120 - The all new R66 and R88: Verticon 2025 with Robinson Helicopter Co.
Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this exciting in-person episode, host Halsey Schider takes The Helicopter Podcast to the pulsing heart of Verticon 2025, sitting down with Robinson Helicopter Company’s CEO David Smith, and VP of Engineering Sean Doyle. The conversation ignites with the R66’s stunning transformation. David and Sean unpack it
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