The RotorHub International Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Sara Dhariwal, Lead Appraiser for Helicopters and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Cirium Consultancy. Sara brings a wealth of expertise in aviation asset valuation and market analysis, with a career spanning over a decade at Cirium.

Today, Sara leads the Ascend Helicopter Valuations practice, overseeing a global team of six experts. Her role focuses on delivering market insights, managing valuation outputs, ensuring compliance with Cirium Ascend’s methodologies, and driving thought leadership across the industry.

In this episode, we are joined by Sara Dhariwal, Lead Appraiser for Helicopters and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Cirium Consultancy. Sara brings a wealth of expertise in aviation asset valuation and market analysis, with a career spanning over a decade at Cirium.

Today, Sara leads the Ascend Helicopter Valuations practice, overseeing a global team of six experts. Her role focuses on delivering market insights, managing valuation outputs, ensuring compliance with Cirium Ascend’s methodologies, and driving thought leadership across the industry.

We are excited to welcome Ian Bonthrone, Chief Executive  of Air Rescue UK Ltd, as our next guest on the RotorHub International Podcast. With over two decades as a military crewman on combat support and SAR helicopters, followed by a career spanning medical devices, public safety, and leadership roles, Ian brings a wealth of experience to the table. 

From his time as a Search & Rescue Winchman, aviator, and instructor to his current role shaping SAR helicopter provision, Ian has lived a career dedicated to saving lives and advancing rescue capability. In our conversation, we dive into SAR mi...

We are excited to welcome Ian Bonthrone, Managing Director of Air Rescue UK Ltd, as our next guest on the RotorHub International Podcast. With over two decades as a military crewman on combat support and SAR helicopters, followed by a career spanning medical devices, public safety, and leadership roles, Ian brings a wealth of experience to the table. 

From his time as a Search & Rescue Winchman, aviator, and instructor to his current role shaping SAR helicopter provision, Ian has lived a career dedicated to saving lives and advancing rescue capability. In our conversation, we dive into SAR m...

In this episode, we are joined by Luis Muñoz Miller, Regional Sales Manager for the US, Canada, and LATAM at CENTUM, to explore how their innovative LifeSeeker system is transforming search and rescue operations.

Luis explains how LifeSeeker works by turning a mobile phone into a beacon, enabling rescue teams to locate missing people quickly and accurately, even in challenging environments where traditional methods fall short. From real-world mission success stories to the technology’s broader impact on safety and survival, this conversation highlights the power of connectivity in saving lives.

Tune in to lea...

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by two senior leaders from Milestone Aviation. First, we have Pat Sheedy, President and CEO, who has led the company since 2019 and brings over 25 years of global financial services and aircraft leasing experience, including senior roles at GE and GECAS. Alongside him is Sébastien Moulin, Chief Commercial Officer, appointed in 2024, who oversees Milestone’s worldwide commercial strategy. With more than two decades in the helicopter industry, including leadership positions at Airbus Helicopters and Bell Helicopter, Sébastien brings deep expertise in global markets.

In this episode recorded at MD Helicopters' headquarters in Mesa, Arizona, Editor Gideon Ewers sits down with Ryan Weeks, CEO and President of MD Helicopters, for an insightful conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of rotorcraft support.

With a distinguished career spanning multiple Fortune 500 companies and industries, Ryan brings a wealth of strategic experience to his role at MD Helicopters. In this episode, he discusses the company’s renewed focus on aftermarket products and services—including spares, repairs and overhauls (R&O), upgrades, and customer support—and how these priorities are driving operational readiness and value for MD...

In this episode of the RotorHub International podcast, we are joined by Lisa Zumkeller, a contract precision longline pilot whose passion for vertical reference flying has taken her across some of Canada’s most rugged and remote landscapes. She plays a critical role in wildfire suppression operations and also flies medevac missions aboard the BK117.

Originally from Germany, Lisa grew up on a farm before immigrating to Canada with her family at the age of 13. Lisa began her aviation journey as a Second-in-Command on the Super Puma, later transitioning to the Bell 206 and then the H125. Over th...

In this episode of the RotorHub International podcast, we sit down with Joe Decapite, Manager of Flight Training at Bell Training Academy. With a distinguished background in leadership across operations, logistics, and risk management, Joe brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. Joe shares insights into Bell’s approach to flight training, the evolving needs of pilots in today’s operational landscape, and how strategic planning and collaboration drive performance under pressure. 

In this episode of the RotorHub International podcast, we’re joined by Mike Martin, Vice President of Training, and Cody Berg, Hoist Operations Instructor at Air Rescue Systems. Together, they unveil a breakthrough in aerial rescue technology: a next-generation rescue hoist system designed to eliminate uncontrolled spin during extractions.

Spinning during hoist operations has long been a critical safety concern, often complicating missions and endangering both rescuers and patients. Mike Martin  and Cody Berg explain how their innovative system uses a projected air solution to stabilise the hoist line, offering greater control, increased safety and pre...

Lars-Henrik Thorngreen, a transformative leader in the aviation sector with a sharp focus on strategic growth, operational excellence, and innovation. With deep board-level expertise in governance, risk management, and navigating complex transformations. Thorngreen brings insights that extend far beyond aviation. From steering ESG initiatives to building stakeholder trust across regulated industries, he shares what it takes to lead with vision and deliver long-term value in today’s evolving landscape.

It has become readily apparent that, far from being competitors, crewed and uncrewed assets are becoming two sides of the same mission delivery coin. In this episode, we sit down with industry leaders from HeliFlite and Ascent Aerosystems to explore how nano drones are revolutionising mission flexibility, enhancing situational awareness, and integrating seamlessly into modern rotorcraft operations.

Zahara Oubre, Director of Aviation Safety Programs at mba Aviation, shares her journey leading global safety initiatives across airlines and the Oil and Gas sector. With over 15 years of experience, Zahara talks about driving innovation through programs like OSAR, UASi, and JumpseatSMS, and how they are shaping the future of aviation safety.

In recent years, the ability to use HUMS systems that are not only more accurate than ever before but also progressive reductions in weight, have made them a realistic option for almost every class of helicopter. In this episode GPMS' Mr HUMS Ronnie Ries shares his insight and vision about where the technology is, where it is going and what it means not only in dollars and cents, but also in in the wider service delivery sense.

There are those that hype and there are those that do. In the vertical lift sector, there has been a lot of the former and precious little of the latter. At the forefront of those in the latter camp are magniX. Keep in mind that the company flew its first all-electric helicopter, a modified R44, over two years ago – and they continue to be at the leading edge of the fixed-wing space also. In this episode the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Riona Armesmith, shares the latest developments at the company and a vision for the coming years. If you...

Fred North has become synonymous with the production of action movies. Nine times out of ten, if there is a helicopter doing exciting things, it's Fred in action. But his latest project, leaves the glamour of Hollywood as he focusses on helping the next generation of pilots be the best they can be.

In this special on-location episode of the RotorHub International Podcast, host Gideon Ewers visits the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity at RAF Cosford to explore their cutting-edge training facility. Joined by Aircrew Supervisor and Critical Care Paramedic Karen Baker, we take a deep dive into the advanced medical training and life-saving missions that make this air ambulance service so vital.

eVTOLs: Fact, Fiction, or Faction?

In this episode of the RotorHub International Podcast, host Gideon Ewers sits down with Gary Vermaak, a senior advisor to the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, to discuss the challenges facing the eVTOL industry. From the realities of aircraft certification timelines to operational hurdles like battery performance in extreme conditions, we cut through the hype to uncover what’s truly feasible.

In our third and final episode, host Gideon Ewers sits down with David Smith, President & CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, to discuss pressing challenges and emerging innovations in the rotorcraft industry.
 
Smith offers his unique perspective on workforce development, regulatory constraints, industry-wide collaboration and exciting plans on the horizon for Robinson in 2025. Smith also teases upcoming Robinson projects and advocates for creative workforce development strategies to address shortages in skilled pilots and mechanics.

In our second episode, host Gideon Ewers sits down with David Solar, EASA's Head of General Aviation and Vertical Take Off and Landing and Steve Soliz, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) Segment Manager at Bell.

 Solar shares insights from EASA’s recent Rotorcraft and VTOL Safety Symposium, where discussions covered advanced automation, new safety measures, and the evolving role of pilots.  As technology progresses,  Solar discusses how the industry is exploring automation to enhance safety and its potential impact on pilot responsibilities.

Soliz reflects on the early...

Philippe shares his unique insights from over three decades in the industry, covering the rising demand for new and pre-owned helicopters, supply chain pressures, and workforce challenges. With critical shifts in defence spending, disaster response, and climate change impacts, the global vertical lift industry faces unprecedented growth – and an urgent need to adapt.

#season1

There can't be many people on the planet with more knowledge of the helicopter market than our guest in this episode, Clark McGinn. In his time with the Royal Bank of Scotland, CHC Leasing, Waypoint Leasing and latterly at Uplifting Advice, he's been at the front when it comes to financing aircraft, and has the scars to prove it!

#season2

The devastating wildfires in Southern California have dominated the news cycle. But as he only stepped down as CAL FIRE’s Chief of Flight Operations a few weeks ago, there is no one on earth better placed to talk about the agency’s efforts to combat wildfires on such a scale than our guest, Stu Sprung. We talk not only tactics but also the larger challenges the aerial firefighting community faces as the climate evolves.

#season2