The Helicopter Podcast

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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. 

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...

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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. 

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. 

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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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 experiences in helicopters create lasting bonds, forming a brotherhood and sisterhood that spans backgrounds, countries, and career paths. Jamie and Jared talk about the realities of helicopter training, the importance of...

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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 maintenance, environmental management, dam inspections, and utility operations, and why these missions demand a strong balance between pilots, maintainers, and leadership. Coming from a maintenance background himself, Mark offers a unique pe...

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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.

They reflect on why this year’s show stood out, from record attendance to deeper, more meaningful conversations around the challenges facing rotorcraft today. Central to that discussion is the...

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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 community. He reflects on the energy of Cologne—complete with its Christmas markets—and the value of connecting with operators, small businesses, and innovators shaping the industry.

Halsey also highlights a pe...

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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, this season pushed the show forward in exciting new ways. Halsey shares the moments that shaped him most - welcoming a new child, learning from leaders like Terry and Simon, and feeling the strength of the helicopter...

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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 for helicopters, sparked at age six in Colombia, leading to 18 years in Papua New Guinea flying Bell LongRangers and fixed-wing aircraft.

Jeff recounts his 39-year career, starting in Liberia and transitioning to helicopters at...

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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 age 13. She discusses the challenges of securing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate, and her path toward acquiring a BasicMed to fly helicopters privately. Robyn shares about her training at Veracity Aviation, where...

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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 reaching more than €100,000, and why the helicopter track still feels scattered compared to the streamlined airline world. 

Jop and Janine break down the modular v...

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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 automotive design to aviation leadership — guiding MD through a period of modernization and renewal. From improving the aftermarket supply chain to reinvigorating MD’s legendary aircraft lineup, Weeks offe...

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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 automotive design to aviation leadership — guiding MD through a period of modernization and renewal. From improving the aftermarket supply chain to reinvigorating MD’s legendary aircraft lineup, Weeks offe...

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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 helicopter flying. Tony’s path took him from flight school in California to tour flying in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Canyon. After five years at Maverick, Tony pursued his passion for heavy helicopters, flying Sikorsky S...

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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 helicopter flying. Tony’s path took him from flight school in California to tour flying in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Canyon. After five years at Maverick, Tony pursued his passion for heavy helicopters, flying Sikorsky S...

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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 Specialist (OCS) at Metro Aviation. Drawing on her Embry-Riddle University aeronautics background, and her experience supporting air medical missions, she highlights the critical role of OCSs in risk mitigation, weather analysis, and crew decision-making. Kelsey shares her...

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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 founded a flight school before joining OmniFlight Helicopters, where she developed air medical resource management courses to address high accident rates. At Flight Safety International, Terry spearheaded the helicopter training program, convincing insurance companies...

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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 compelling stories from his career, including personal encounters with spatial disorientation (SD) during deployments and tragic accidents that inspired his mission to address this issue.

Tyson breaks down the science behind SD...

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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 air medical operations with STAT Medevac, and later to roles at Sikorsky, Argus Prism, and Baldwin, all centered on enhancing safety. Now an aviation insurance broker and risk management consultant at...

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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 decision-making in high-consequence environments. Drawing parallels between mountaineering and aviation, Ken shares his transformative experience surviving a tragic 2003 avalanche in Revelstoke, where seven lives were lost. He reflects on the critical role of in...

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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 flying in the “Wild West” era of the 1970s, supported naval operations, and served 27 years with LA County Fire Department, where he was instrumental in developing the Firehawk. 

H...

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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 North Carolina. Eric shares his journey from a fixed-wing aviation background, rooted in his father’s legacy as a Vietnam helicopter pilot, to co-founding Acme Aero, a leading suspension manufacturer for backcountry aircraft. 

The c...

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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 leading a 501(c)(3) medical transportation organization formed by three competing health systems. He reflects on the emotional impact of patient care, recounting a poignant extrication mission and emphasizing mental health support for EMS providers. 

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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 her journey from developing ion thrusters for spacecraft to landing the Mars Curiosity Rover with a supersonic parachute. Now, she’s applying her expertise to decarbonize aviation, focusing on hydrogen fuel cells that offe...

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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, advancements in air medical technology like blood products and AI, and the pressing need for mental health support in high-stress aviation roles. Through their podcast, Blake and Mike aim to unite public safety aviation professionals...

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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 training and high-stakes missions. From hoisting into 20-foot Bering Sea waves to earning an Air Medal on his first rescue, Jason recounts gripping stories that highlight the intensity and pu...

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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 Kingdom to mastering complex helicopter operations in the United States. He delves into the intricacies of aviation insurance, explaining how it differs from auto or homeowners’ policies, and the critical role brokers play in...

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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 fueled Sellacopter’s growth. He emphasizes the critical role of ethics and standardization in delivering exceptional customer experiences and building trust in the industry. Halsey also discusses how the podcast has become a powerful tool for business de...

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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 helicopters in the U.S. She offers real-world insights into safety management systems (SMS), drawing from her military and civilian experience to advocate for a just culture and systemic safety across all...