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!
Episode 201: The Human Cost of Helicopter Accidents | Halsey Schider
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In this solo episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider takes on a difficult but important subject: helicopter accidents, the loss of fellow aviators, and the lasting impact those experiences can have on the people who continue flying.
Reflecting on several recent accidents across the industry, Halsey shares a deeply personal story from his early flight training about losing his friend and instructor, Doug, in an accident involving a helicopter he had been scheduled to fly that same...
Episode 200: Building a Better Helicopter Pilot Community | John LeDrew & Jay Lugo
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In this milestone 200th episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider welcomes John LeDrew and Jay Lugo of the Helicopter Pilot Study Group for a conversation about flight training, mentorship and the importance of community in aviation.
After beginning his helicopter training at 46, John discovered how challenging it could be to navigate flight school without a strong support network. What began as a small group of pilots sharing knowledge has since grown into a free online community where...
Episode #199: Lessons From the Fixed-Wing World | Joey Buley
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In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with longtime friend Joey Buley to compare two aviation careers that started from similar places but ultimately took very different paths.
Halsey and Joey have known each other since childhood, and Joey reflects on finding his way into flight school after struggling with the traditional college path. His career would take him through flight instruction, regional airlines, corporate aviation, and eventually single-pilot IFR air medical operations.
Drawing on years...
Episode 198: Why the U.S. Army Chose the R66 for Flight Training | David Smith
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In this episode, Halsey Schider welcomes Robinson Helicopter Company CEO David Smith back to the podcast for an update on a period of significant change for the company.
At the centre of the conversation is Robinson's growing role in military flight training and the selection of the R66 for the U.S. Army's Flight School Next program. David explains why the Army is placing renewed emphasis on single-engine training and fundamental stick-and-rudder skills, and what the program could...
Episode #197: Beneath the Rescue Helicopter | Jim O'Neill
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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 Irish Coast Guard near Dingle Harbour, Ireland, where severe weather, a vessel in distress, and a rapidly evolving situation forced the crew to make difficult decisions under pressure. The mission would ultimately earn...
Episode #196: How to Get the Most From Heli Flight School | Chad McIntosh & Bailey Gackstetter
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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 flight school should be about more than price or simply earning a licence. The instructors, culture and community surrounding a student can help shape the pilot they eventually become. They...
Episode #195: Supporting Presidential Helicopter Missions | Beau Prine
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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 United States Marine Corps, including two tours with HMX-1—the squadron responsible for presidential helicopter transport. He shares stories from his first presidential mission supporting President Obama, his return to th...
Episode #194 - Flying Fighters, Combat Missions & Helicopters | C.W. Lemoine
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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 from ever reaching that goal. Rather than letting that answer define his future, he continued looking for another way in. A chance connection with...
Episode #193: Behind the Uniform - Coast Guard Aviation & Mental Health | Ryan Vandehei
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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 Academy with the goal of becoming a pilot and the highs and lows that followed—from struggling through his first weeks at the Academy and wondering wh...
Episode #192: Beyond the Policy - The People Behind Aviation Insurance | Michael & Ryan
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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 the world of aviation insurance from both sides of the table. They discuss how brokers and underwriters evaluate pilots, aircraft, and operations—and why the best outcomes come from co...
Episode #191: The Helicopter Simulator Built to Inspire the Next Generation | Matthias Wendt
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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 numerous opportunities throughout his life to pursue aviation, his journey instead took him into dental technology and dentistry. Years later, his fascination with helicopters returned through home simulation, eventually transforming a pe...
Episode #190: Guimbal, Building a Better Trainer | Raphael Yver
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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 aviation led him from building aircraft as a student to creating a helicopter designed specifically for flight training. The conversation traces the origins of the Cabri G2, the philosophy behind designing...
Episode #189: The GT50 First Fire - A Milestone for Hill Helicopters | Jason Hill
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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 vision for designing and manufacturing a modern helicopter from the ground up, the conversation catches up on the progress that's been made and what this latest achievement means fo...
Episode #188: The Human Side of Helicopter EMS | Graham Ritter
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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. Along the way, they discuss the realities of helicopter EMS, the impact those missions can have on patients and crews, and the moments that remind pilots why...
Episode #187: Leadership Lessons from Precision Helicopters | Mark Paulson & Ty Burlingham
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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, from studying at Oregon State University to discovering helicopters through an introductory flight that changed the direction of his career. He reflects on the transition from line pilot to leading...
Bonus Episode: Air Angels | The Helicopter Community That Answered Hurricane Helene
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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 relief efforts where few others could.
Halsey sits down with Valerie Smaldone and Monty Hobbs of Just Do Good Entertainment, Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ podcast, and David Smith, CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company...
Episode #186 Why Business Aviation Needs Better Advocates | Ian Lumpp
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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 Association (NBAA), highlighting the importance of educating policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public about the value business aviation provides. The conversation explores common misconceptions surrounding the industry, including perceptions around environmental...
Episode #185: Developing the Next Generation of Long-Line Pilots | Andre & Kimberly Hutchings
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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, Andre and Kimberly share their perspectives on the unique demands of long-line and external load work, where precision, situational awareness, and teamwork are critical to success. The conversation explores the path...
Episode #184: Why Strong Pilot-Maintenance Relationships Matter | Keith Moreland
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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, Keith shares why strong pilot-maintenance relationships are built on trust, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to safety. The conversation explores the importance of open communication, understanding the challenges faced by both pilots and maintainers, and why...
Episode #183: The Importance of Quality Maintenance | Joe LaRue
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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 around Robinson helicopters. The conversation highlights the importance of quality maintenance, record-keeping, and long-term support—and how those details directly impact safety and aircraft value.
They al...
Episode #182: How Heli Austria Built a Global Helicopter Operation | Roy Knaus
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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 has taken the company from a fleet of just three helicopters to nearly 40 aircraft supporting a wide range of missions. The conversation explores how the company has...
Episode #181: 65 Years of Enstrom Helicopters | Todd Tetzlaff
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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 takes to stay relevant, from navigating an increasingly complex certification environment, to supporting operators in the field. The conversation highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with service centers and...
Episode #180: From Army Rangers to 160th SOAR | Ryan Walters
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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 that period ultimately influenced his decision to transition into aviation through the warrant officer program. After seeing those crews operate up close, the goal became clear—ge...
Episode #179: Guest #1 Returns! | Sean Moretz on Networking and Memorable Flights
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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 circle over time. Through that work, he’s stayed closely connected to pilots at key moments in their progression, reinforcing the importance of mentorship and stayin...
Episode #178: The MD 500 Training Advantage | JD Parsons
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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. The conversation focuses on challenging traditional training models, including his use of the MD 500 as a primary training aircraft and a strong emphasis on high-altitude, scenario-based flying.
...
Episode #177: Burnout and Stepping Back in Aviation | Jesse Munns
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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 that led to a moment where he recognized he couldn’t keep going at the same pace. The conversation centers on what it actually looks like to make that ca...
Episode #176: HEMS Safety, Data, and Decision-Making | Steve Soliz of Bell
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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, autopilot systems, and data-driven mission planning. The discussion focuses on how these tools are reducing pilot workload while improving situational awareness and overall mission safety.
They also explore the differences between...
Episode #175: Beyond Drones: Building Aviation Networks | Cory Vinger - The Helicopter Podcast
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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 inspections as drone capabilities advanced from basic imaging to tools like LiDAR, infrared, and corona detection. The conversation highlights how those technologies are now supporting more proactive, data-driven ap...
Episode #174: Fighter Pilot Lessons, Backcountry Flying, and a Water Ditching | Steve Cox - The Helicopter Podcast
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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 military fighter jets to airline operations and into the world of experimental and backcountry aviation. Along the way, he discusses the discipline required to operate high-performance aircraft, the appeal of...
Episode #173: From Greenland Operations to Mountain Flying Safety | Simon Whitinger – The Helicopter Podcast
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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 Simon’s flight training and career pathways, including Simon’s flight training experiences in Canada, the challenges of transitioning to EASA certification, and the crucial role that networking and industry events like European Rotors play...
Episode #172: Safety, Drones, and the Future of Robinson Helicopters – The Helicopter Podcast
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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 improvements across the helicopter industry, including lower accident rates and the continued focus on training for inadvertent IMC. David and Paul highlight how tools like cockpit cameras and scenario-based training...
Episode #171: François Lassale, of VAI on Safety and Pilot Decision-Making - The Helicopter Podcast
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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 lesson from his early flying career — the importance of knowing when to say no. In an industry where mission pressure is real, the ability to make the right call can be one of the mo...
Episode 170: Scenario-Based Training and Future of Safety | Glen White – The Helicopter Podcast
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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 industry and the unique dynamics shaping training and operations across the region. From private owners to commercial operators, the market presents different challenges — and different expectations — around professionalism and safety culture.
Glen shares...
Episode #169 - The Royal Navy, Just Culture, and the Pursuit of Zero | Nick Mayhew – The Helicopter Podcast
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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, including tense moments in night flying and high-risk environments that reinforced one simple truth: Fatigue, complacency, and small mistakes can have massive consequences.
The conversation dives into safety...
Episode #168: Climb Higher, Innovation, and the Future of Robinson Helicopters – The Helicopter Podcast
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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 global project led by husband-and-wife team of photographer and book developer Jon Davison and writer Jude Brazendale.
The project captured the diversity of missions, environments, and people flying Ro...
Episode #167: From Army Interrogator to Combat Pilot, Michael Benton Part II - The Helicopter Podcast
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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.Â
Drawing from his experience as an NTSB party member and safety leader within air medical operations, Michael walks through what actually happens after an accident and the role operators play in the investigation process.
The conversation explores how accidents are rarely the r...
Episode #166: From Army Interrogator to Combat Pilot, Michael Benton Part I - The Helicopter Podcast
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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.Â
Before flight school, Michael served as a U.S. Army interrogator and Korean linguist, a background that shaped how he evaluates human behavior, decision-making, and risk.Â
That path ultimately led him into Army warrant officer flight training, combat operations as a Kiowa Warrior pilot, and later into air medical operations, accident in...
Episode #165: Testing, Certification, and the Making of the H140 | Airbus Helicopters – The Helicopter Podcast
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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 of European Rotors, the conversation explores how the H140 was shaped through direct collaboration with air medical operators, ensuring the aircraft meets real-world operational needs. Dirk walks...
Episode #164: Real-World Instruction: Jeremiah Griffith with Horizon Helicopters - The Helicopter Podcast
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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 how a calm, deliberate teaching style helps build confident, capable pilots. The conversation opens with reflections on recent accidents and how preparation, situational awareness, and training culture shape a pilot's judgment in high-consequence flying.
Episode #163: Robyn Eagles: The People and Strategy Reshaping Robinson - The Helicopter Podcast
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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 historically quiet, engineering-first company to a more open, story-driven organization, Robyn shares how Robinson’s leadership team has embraced transparency, accessibility, and a more active approach to telling its stor...
