The Vertical MRO Podcast

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

In this episode, Hosts Ronnie Ries and Howie Murray sit down with Adrienne Robinson, vice president of business development at Panterra Heli Support USA, for a grounded conversation on how leasing strategies, data, and maintenance realities intersect on the shop floor. With more than four decades in the helicopter industry, Adrienne brings a rare perspective that spans avionics, MRO, aircraft transactions, and long-term fleet planning.

The discussion focuses on what these strategies actually mean for maintainers and maintenance...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

In this episode, Jon Gray and David sit down with Shad R. Sitz—aviation safety leader, firefighting veteran, and founder of 44 North Aviation—for a candid conversation on leadership, safety, and the realities of operating in high-risk environments.

Shad shares his path from growing up on a ranch to leading complex aviation and firefighting operations, offering a perspective shaped by decades spent in the field. Throughout the discussion, he reinforces a core belief that resonates deeply in MRO: main...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

In this episode, Jon Gray and David sit down with Shad R. Sitz—aviation safety leader, firefighting veteran, and founder of 44 North Aviation—for a candid conversation on leadership, safety, and the realities of operating in high-risk environments.

Shad shares his path from growing up on a ranch to leading complex aviation and firefighting operations, offering a perspective shaped by decades spent in the field. Throughout the discussion, he reinforces a core belief that resonates deeply in MRO: main...

Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell.

In this Bell Tech Talk episode, host Jon Gray is joined by Eric Lachance, 525 product support engineering lead, and Gilbert Gaudreault, 407 product support engineering lead, to walk through the structural repair process—from initial damage identification to engineering-approved repair solutions. Drawing on decades of experience supporting Bell aircraft, they explain how structural repair requests are reviewed, analyzed, and prioritized, and why clear communication between operators, product support, and engineering teams is critical.

The discussion highlights common sources of structural damage, including corrosion and ha...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

Recorded live at the Kelowna Vertical MRO Conference, this panel—hosted by Ronnie Ries—brings together operators who have spent the past year implementing Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) across their fleets. With Ronnie guiding the discussion, the panelists share what motivated their organizations to adopt HUMS, the research and purchasing considerations that shaped their decisions, and the early challenges of installation and integration.

Mark Paulson and Grayson Barrows of Precision offer firsthand insights from managing HUMS on t...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode, Jon Gray moderates a timely panel discussion with industry leaders who come together for a wide-ranging conversation on what it truly takes to manage helicopter fleets in today’s MRO environment. Recorded at Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing’s facility in Kelowna, Canada, the discussion blends real-world operational experience with long-term thinking around people, aircraft, and organizational culture.

The panel explores the continued importance of legacy aircraft, the pressures created by supply chain constraints, and how evol...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, Jon Gray and co-host Howie Murray sit down with Brad Leonard, owner of KonectaUSA, and Dave Schilling, director of business development, to explore one of the quiet challenges facing modern maintenance operations: reliable connectivity inside the hangar.

As MRO teams become increasingly digital—relying on tablets, cloud-based manuals, real-time collaboration, and GPS or satellite testing—poor signal coverage can quickly become a bottleneck. Brad and Dave explain why traditional connectivity ofte...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

This episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast was recorded on location at the inaugural Vertical MRO Conference in Kelowna, British Columbia. The MRO Conference in Kelowna featured six different panels where MRO professionals shared their expertise.

In this panel conversation, John Gray brings together a multi-generational group of maintainers to reflect on the themes sparked by the Vertical MRO Conference: mentorship, communication, leadership, and the responsibility we have to the next wave of technicians. From brand-new apprentices...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray sits down with aviation veteran Terrence Eissfeldt, whose four-decade career spans from Okanagan Helicopters to founding Boundary Aviation Solutions his own consulting business. Terrence shares stories from his early days in the industry, his family’s deep aviation roots, and the pivotal moments that shaped his path from the hangar floor to leadership roles.

The conversation explores how mentorship, trust, and community remain the cornerstones of av...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray sits down with aviation veteran Terrence Eissfeldt, whose four-decade career spans from Okanagan Helicopters to founding Boundary Aviation Solutions his own consulting business. Terrence shares stories from his early days in the industry, his family’s deep aviation roots, and the pivotal moments that shaped his path from the hangar floor to leadership roles.

The conversation explores how mentorship, trust, and community remain the cornerstones of av...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Ronie, Scott, Terrence and Jon, along with producer and host David, reflect on the past year. We have an opportunity to discuss highlights, and the growth of the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) community developed through the podcast and the Vertical MRO Conference.

We also talk about the excitement surrounding the next generation of aviation professionals and the need for continued conversations promoting the maintenance community. 

Lastly, we d...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

Recorded live at the inaugural Vertical MRO Conference in Kelowna, British Columbia, this episode features a panel discussion on one of the industry’s most transformative topics: Technology and the future of rotorcraft maintenance.

Hosted by Jon Gray, this conversation brings together Seth Hardage, CEO of Rotorcraft Repair and Manufacturing; Ronnie Ries, vice president of marketing at GPMS; and Joaquin DeMoreta, CEO and founder of Digital AirWare. Together, they explore how cutting-edge technologies — from health and usage moni...

Welcome to Vertical MRO Alerts, presented by Bell!

In this Alert, Product Support Engineering Manager Marc Dubé is joined by Sebastien Rousseau, Product Lead for the Bell 429, to walk operators through two service directives released simultaneously—a new Alert Service Bulletin (ASB 429-25-69) and an accompanying Operational Service Notice (OSN).

These directives address non-conforming crew and passenger seat covers installed on certain Bell 429 aircraft. Marc and Sebastien explain how additional foam added during cosmetic rework impacted the energy-attenuation performance of some crew seats, prompting a required crew-seat replacement under the ASB. Passenger seats, which car...

Welcome to Vertical MRO Alerts, presented by Bell!

In this Alert, Product Support Engineering Manager Marc Dubé is joined by Sebastien Rousseau, Product Lead for the Bell 429, to walk operators through the recently released Alert Service Bulletin concerning the main and tail rotor hydraulic servos on the Bell 429.

This episode explains why the bulletin calls for a one-time inspection of the MCV driver rods, following a supplier notification regarding potential non-conforming components. Marc and Sebastien address the key questions operators have already raised—along with the ones Bell expects to hear. Topics include the reasoning beh...

Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell.

In this Bell Tech Talk episode, host Jon Gray is joined by Dawn Lehto and Tad Morley from Bell for an in-depth conversation on the real-world challenges and advancements of autopilot and avionics systems in modern rotorcraft.

Drawing from years of hands-on field experience, Dawn and Tad break down common autopilot troubleshooting issues, including friction-related faults, system relearning challenges, and why so many problems stem from long gaps between failures. They explain why knowing how to navigate the manuals before issues arise can...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this, the second part of our two-part Vertical MRO Podcast series, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries sit down with Don Lockie of Aviation Resource Group, a seasoned expert in international shipping and logistics, to unpack the high-stakes world of moving aviation assets across the globe.

Don shares his journey into the aviation industry and the lessons learned from decades of navigating complex logistics. From understanding unique customer needs to managing razor-thin margins, he explains why...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part Vertical MRO Podcast series, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries sit down with Don Lockie of Aviation Resource Group, a seasoned expert in international shipping and logistics, to unpack the high-stakes world of moving aviation assets across the globe.

Don shares his journey into the aviation industry and the lessons learned from decades of navigating complex logistics. From understanding unique customer needs to managing razor-thin margins, he explains why experience and specialized knowledge are...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

This special edition of the Vertical MRO Podcast brings you a fast-paced series of conversations recorded live at the 2025 Irving MRO Conference. Host Jon Gray and Producer David Kreutzkamp sit down with a wide range of voices—from operators and technicians to students, MRO leaders, and innovators—to capture the energy, challenges, and ideas shaping helicopter maintenance today.

Across these mini-segments, you’ll hear insights on workforce development, training pipelines, culture building, leadership, parts support, real-world problem-solving, and what k...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries sit down with Jamie Wood, the CEO and Founder of the bio-technology platform Autonomic.

Jamie is changing the way people think and learn about their brains. Through neuroscience based products and cutting edge technologies, her mission is to elevate human potential by bringing personalized brain health solutions to the masses. 

During the conversation we explore the critical role of cognitive performance in a...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part Vertical MRO Podcast series, hosts Jon Gray and Faith Ortega have an engaging conversation with Dale Neubauer, an airfame and powerplant (A&P) mechanic and CEO of HeliLadder; and Drew Benton Jr., owner of Helicopter Maintenance Solutions.

During the conversation, our guests explore their journeys in the helicopter community. They discuss the professional challenges faced by helicopter technicians, the importance of teamwork and communication, and the critical nature of ensuring aircraft are airworthy.

...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part Vertical MRO Podcast series, hosts Jon Gray and Faith Ortega have an engaging conversation with Dale Neubauer, an airfame and powerplant (A&P) mechanic and CEO of HeliLadder; and Drew Benton Jr., owner of Helicopter Maintenance Solutions.

During the conversation, our guests explore their journeys in the helicopter community. They discuss the professional challenges faced by helicopter technicians, the importance of teamwork and communication, and the critical nature of ensuring aircraft are airworthy.

...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

The Vertical MRO Podcast recorded this special episode live from the Vertical Valor booth at APSCON, the Airborne Public Safety Association's annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Host Jon Gray is joined by guest host Jeff Ratkovic from the Hangar Z Podcast to honor the service of Matt Pagano, maintainer for the Riverside (California) Police Department Air Support Unit. Matt was recently recognized with the 2025 Airborne Public Safety Aviation Technical Specialist Award.

The Technical Specialist Award is given to...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this special recap episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Howie Murray, along with producer David Kreutzkamp, take listeners inside the inaugural Vertical MRO Conference in Kelowna, British Columbia. This first-of-its-kind gathering brought together more than 500 rotorcraft professionals to share knowledge, strengthen connections, and celebrate the passion that drives the helicopter maintenance community.

Recorded live at the event, this episode features highlights from 12 on-site mini-interviews that capture the excitement, collaboration, and inspiration of the...

Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell.

In this special episode of Bell Tech Talk, Mark Dube and Tim Doucet sit down with our host Jon Gray to explore the critical role of health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) in a growing number of Bell helicopters. From their early development to today’s miniaturized, data-driven technology, HUMS have evolved into a cornerstone of helicopter safety and maintenance.

Our conversation highlights how predictive maintenance, powered by HUMS, helps operators prevent potential failures, improve efficiency, and enhance overall safety. Mark and Tim sh...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part Vertical MRO Podcast series, Jon Gray sits down with Zina Hullings, management analyst at the Ontario (California) Police Department Air Support Unit; and Eric Weidner, who was Ontario PD Air Support commander before retiring in 2016.

Zina is recipient of the prestigious Blades of Valor Recognition of Service, Courage, and Flight Award, an honor that celebrates 20 extraordinary professionals in the fields of aviation, helicopter emergency medical services, and public safety, who have demonstrated outstanding courage, innovation...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part Vertical MRO Podcast series, Jon Gray sits down with Zina Hullings, management analyst at the Ontario (California) Police Department Air Support Unit; and Eric Weidner, who was Ontario PD Air Support commander before retiring in 2016.

Zina is recipient of the prestigious Blades of Valor Recognition of Service, Courage, and Flight Award, an honor that celebrates 20 extraordinary professionals in the fields of aviation, helicopter emergency medical services, and public safety, who have demonstrated outstanding courage, innovation...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray speaks with Adam Garcia, a helicopter maintenance professional whose career spans nearly five decades. 

Adam’s aviation journey began with a life-saving helicopter ride in his youth and carried him through a long and distinguished career in both military and public safety aviation.

Adam served with the prestigious 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, where he honed his technical and leadership skills in some of the mos...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray speaks with Adam Garcia, a helicopter maintenance professional whose career spans nearly five decades. 

Adam’s aviation journey began with a life-saving helicopter ride in his youth and carried him through a long and distinguished career in both military and public safety aviation.

Adam served with the prestigious 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, where he honed his technical and leadership skills in some of the mos...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode, hosts Jon Gray and David Kreutzkamp sit down with MHM Publishing co-founder and co-publisher Linda Reyno, and Leslie Ferry, MHM Publishing’s event director, to give exciting updates on the Vertical MRO Conferences. These events are right around the corner, being held in Kelowna, British Columbia, at the KF Centre for Excellence from Oct. 7 to 9; and in Irving, Texas, at the Irving Convention Center, from Nov 10 to 12.

This is a conference, not a tradeshow. We ar...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray and co-host Leslie Ferry sit down with James Simmons, founder of Avolatus and a seasoned aviation professional. 

We explore his career journey in aviation and gather his insights into the rotorcraft maintenance industry. 

James shares his experiences from his military service to his current role in workforce development with Vertical Aviation International (VAI), highlighting the challenges and opportunities within the MRO sector. 

Lea...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray and co-host Leslie Ferry sit down with James Simmons, founder of Avolatus and a seasoned aviation professional. 

We explore his career journey in aviation and gather his insights into the rotorcraft maintenance industry. 

James shares his experiences from his military service to his current role in workforce development with Vertical Aviation International (VAI), highlighting the challenges and opportunities within the MRO sector. 

Lea...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two part series of the Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries have a discussion with Jon Dillenberg, director at the Thrust Institute of Maintenance.

During this conversation, we dive into the critical challenges and exciting opportunities in recruiting and shaping the next generation of talent in the aviation industry.

Jon talks about the Thrust Institute’s innovative training approaches. We discuss leveraging social media and partnerships with high school STEM pr...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two part series of the Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries have a discussion with Jon Dillenberg, director at the Thrust Institute of Maintenance.

During this conversation, we dive into the critical challenges and exciting opportunities in recruiting and shaping the next generation of talent in the aviation industry.

Jon talks about the Thrust Institute’s innovative training approaches. We discuss leveraging social media and partnerships with high school STEM pr...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray and co-host Howie Murray, sit down with Milton Geltz, managing director of Metro Aviation, to reflect on his remarkable 50-year career in aviation.

Milton began his journey in 1976 and has been with Metro since 1983, overseeing daily operations across flight, maintenance, completions, finance, sales, and marketing.

A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in professional aviation management, Milton also holds a Federal Aviation...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this special episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray is joined by Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President of Customer Support and Services at Airbus Helicopters, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of rotorcraft support.

Romain shares the personal journey that led him through key leadership roles at Airbus Helicopters in Canada, North America, and now globally — a journey grounded in passion, purpose, and people.

Listeners will hear about:

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray sits down with Seth Hardage, owner of Rotorcraft Repair and Manufacturing, to uncover the vital importance of preventative maintenance in aviation. Seth introduces their groundbreaking product, Dragon Skin Xtreme—an advanced rotor blade leading edge protective coating designed to combat erosion and corrosion.

Throughout the conversation, Seth shares his inspiring journey in the rotorcraft community, offering valuable insights into the differences between erosion and corrosion, and th...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

This two-part leadership series episode was recorded on location in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Metro Aviation. Hosts Jon Gray and Leslie Ferry sit down with Metro Aviation’s director of maintenance Shawn Bruton and Emmy Award winner, author, and keynote speaker Clint Pulver.

During our conversation, we explore the vital role of effective leadership in the realms of the ma...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

This two-part leadership series episode was recorded on location in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Metro Aviation. Hosts Jon Gray and Leslie Ferry sit down with Metro Aviation’s director of maintenance Shawn Bruton and Emmy Award winner, author, and keynote speaker Clint Pulver.

During our conversation, we explore the vital role of effective leadership in the realms of the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) community.

Shawn shares his story, from starting out as a young man cu...

Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell.

In this episode, Greg Judd and Greg Arnold take a deep dive into the critical and often complex world of track and balance in helicopter maintenance. With decades of hands-on experience between them, the duo unpacks the finer details of rotorcraft dynamics—from product balance techniques to hub weight adjustments, and the impact of center of gravity (CG) on performance.

Listeners will gain insights on how preparation, consistent fuel loads, and pilot feedback all contribute to effective troubleshooting. The conversation also demystifies common pi...

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part series, Jon Gray sits down with James Helkey, director of maintenance and completions at Leonardo Helicopters.

James is a highly experienced aviation professional with a strong background in aircraft maintenance, leadership, and organizational development.

He holds an airframe and powerplant certificate and a business degree specializing in organizational development and change management.

Throughout his career, James has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing large teams and complex aviation operations.

...