The Vertical MRO Podcast

In this episode of Vertical MRO, the team breaks down what to expect from the 2026 MRO Conferences in Kelowna, BC, and Irving, Texas.

Building on feedback from previous events, this year’s conferences are expanding in both scale and focus. The discussion highlights the shift toward deeper technical content, more real-world problem-solving, and sessions that reflect the challenges maintainers and operators are facing today.

The episode also explores the growing role of leadership, workforce development, and industry collaboration, along with expanded exhibitor space and increased opportunities to connect across the MRO community.

For th...

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

In this special crossover episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, we team up with the hosts of Cancelled for Maintenance—Six and MBP—for a conversation that brings the fixed wing and rotor world together.

What starts as a simple collaboration quickly turns into a deeper look at the shared realities of aviation maintenance. From the small-world nature of the industry to the common challenges faced across platforms, this episode highlights just how aligned maintainers really are—regardless of wha...

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

As part of the 2026 Blades of Valor tour, Jon Gray and Mike Reyno travelled to meet with the United States Coast Guard to better understand the maintenance culture supporting one of the most demanding rotorcraft missions in the world. Recorded on location, this episode features Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) Jonathan Harper and Aviation Maintenance Technician Chief Petty Officer (AMTC) Brock Wilson of the Coast Guard Station Clearwater aviation maintenance community as they share how disciplined processes, corrosion control, and safety...

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

In this episode, host Jon Gray is joined by Bell experts Greg Judd and Michael Doucette for a focused discussion on track and balance for the Bell 212—a critical maintenance task that directly affects vibration, performance, and overall aircraft health. While often approached as a routine adjustment, achieving consistent results requires a deeper understanding of rotor system behavior and how it evolves over time.

The conversation explores common challenges maintainers encounter in the field, including variability in blade construction, differences between material types, an...

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

Recorded live at Verticon 2026, this episode is hosted by Terrence Eissfeldt and Jon Gray and features a conversation with Wendell Dunaway of PHI Aviation, whose career in helicopter engines spans decades across the industry.

Wendell’s path into aviation started long before hangars and test cells, growing up working on farm equipment and small engines—an early foundation that would eventually lead him into the world of helicopter powerplants. Over the years, that hands-on curiosity turned into a care...

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

Recorded live at the Vertical MRO Conference in Kelowna and hosted by Jon Gray, this panel brings together voices from across the helicopter maintenance ecosystem to unpack the real issues facing MRO suppliers today—and how those challenges are reshaping the industry.

Panelists include Marc Leduc of VIH Aerospace; Jasen Gerein of Heli-Welders Canada; Ketan Desai of Precision Aviation Group; Jeff Denomme of Alpine Aerotech; and Maria Aguirre of Airbus—representing operators, suppliers, distributors, and maintenance leadership from acro...

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

This episode was recorded live on location at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit as part of the 2026 Blades of Valor tour. Hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Matt Callander, an avionics technician serving the unit who also happens to be a pilot, to explore a perspective that bridges the cockpit and the hangar.

In aviation, pilots and mechanics often operate in parallel worlds. One flies the mission. The other makes it possible. But...

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

This episode was recorded live on location at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit as part of the 2026 Blades of Valor tour. Hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Matt Callander, an avionics technician serving the unit who also happens to be a pilot, to explore a perspective that bridges the cockpit and the hangar.

In aviation, pilots and mechanics often operate in parallel worlds. One flies the mission. The other makes it possible. But...

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, 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...