Push to Talk with Bruce Webb: A Helicopter Podcast

Joe Gonzalez  is an aviation instructor at Tarrant County College. In this conversation, we’ll examine the current state of aviation education. What new challenges do advancements in technology, such as ForeFlight, present to fledgling aviators? Joe will tell us about the landscape of the industry for new pilots, and why he believes that now is the perfect time to get a foot in the door. 

Tom Nef and Peter Anderson are pilots for  S.T.A.R.S. , an air ambulance organization providing care to rural, remote, and indigenous communicates across Western Canada.  In this conversation, we’ll break down some of the technical aspects of flying in such a remote environment, and discuss the mental element of flying air ambulance; how a sense of community can give pilots relief  in emotionally...

In this episode of Push to Talk,  I’ll be looking back to my time flying helicopter relief in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  Joining me today is Retired Army Chief and Purple Heart recipient Frank Kanaka, who flew alongside me those five days.  Frank and I will look back and delve into the devastation we witnessed, share our experience navigating city through our relief efforts, an...

Faith Ortega is a Helicopter A&P Mechanic at Air Evac Lifeteam in St. Louis,  Missouri. Faith runs the popular “HowToHelicopter” Tiktok and Instagram accounts, where she provides viewers a look into the industry with career advice and day-in-the-life style content. In this conversation with Faith, we’ll examine aviation outreach in today’s world. Faith will break down the origins of HowToHelic...

Oliver is an experimental test pilot with Airbus. In this conversation with Olivier, we’ll explore his pivotal role in the development of the Airbus H160. 

Nataly Jahchan is a Human Factors and Ergonomics Specialist at Airbus. In her role, Nataly researches human behavior in aviation, and develops intuitive ways for people to work with the machines they operate.  In this conversation with Nataly, we’ll examine the science of human factors. We’ll talk about the impact small details make in our comprehension. Why do we pay more attention to safety labe...

Arnd Von-Fabeck is the head of aviation safety management and international network for Airbus. In this conversation with Arnd, we’ll look at SMS on a personal level. What internal roadblocks do aviators face that prevent them from speaking up about safety issues? We’ll examine how to better identify and communicate our own mistakes, and how to address the mistakes others make with grace and under...

In this conversation with Kayleigh Bowers, we'll examine  how the best way to solve problems in aviation is to listen to the different lived experiences of those around us. 

Kevin Humphreys is a helicopter pilot and mental health ambassador from Australia. During his service in the Australian army, Kevin fell victim to PTSD, anxiety and depression — ailments he buried deep inside himself until they culminated in a mental breakdown. With the help of those around him, Kevin was able to build himself back from his lowest point. Now, he hopes to use his experience to figh...

Loreto Moraga has worked as an attorney specializing in aviation law for over 25 years. She serves as President of both the the Chilean Helicopter Association and the Chilean Space Association. In this conversation with Loreto, we’ll examine aviation from a lawyer’s perspective. How can liability differences between commercial airline and helicopter flights affect the mindset of pilots? We’ll lear...

This episode of “Push to Talk” examines a pilot’s relationship with Air Traffic Control. What common mistakes do we make when communicating with the tower? I spoke with Steve Phillips, an Air Traffic Controller of over forty years, to help demystify the voice in our headset. 

Del Livingston is the former Vice President of Flight Operations for Airbus Helicopters, and a veteran of the Vietnam war. In this, we’ll speak with Del about his background flying Dustoff operations in Vietnam, including a harrowing rescue mission, the result of which sent him home from combat a month early. Then, Dell will tell us about his transition into the civil world, and the difference in...

Jessica Meiris is a pilot and rock climber from Colorado Springs. In 2014, she became the first woman in history to rope solo climb El Capitan in a single push. Jessica experienced her first brush with helicopters when she was air-rescued after an accident climbing a rock tower in Red Rocks, Nevada - an event that would planet the seeds for a new chapter in her life. Now in a second career as a he...

In this second installment of a two-part conversation, we'll speak with aviation photographer Jay Miller about attending Permian High School (the basis of Friday Night Lights), the process of handling proprietary information when publishing his books, and why he believes each person has a story worth telling. 

Jay Miller began his career as an aviation photojournalist in 1957 - he was just nine years old. Through the lens of a small Kodak Brownie pointed to the West Texas sky, Jay Miller built the foundation of a career that would lead him face-to-face with some of the most famous aviators in history. In that time, he’s cultivated an immense body of work that catalogs the story of aviation.  In this fir...

Gary Maddux served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a stint in presidential squadron HMX-1. After losing his daughter to suicide in 2019, Gary has dedicated his life to mental health outreach and awareness. Now working to become a licensed counselor, Gary hopes to provide others with the insight he's wrestled from loss.  

Vicki Coates is the team lead of certification for the Helicopter and Agricultural branch of the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. We'll speak with Vicki about her roots in aviation (including a close call early in her career), helicopter operations in New Zealand, and how growing up on a farm prepared her for a career in the sky. Hosted by Bruce Webb. Written, Edited, and Produced by Log...

Scott Boughton is the founder of Palisade Aviation, a Colorado-based company looking to refine flight training. We'll speak with Scott about his education philosophy, and how we can equip the next generation of pilots with the skills they need for success. Hosted by Bruce Webb. Written, Edited, and Produced by Logan Evans. Intro Voiceover by Tamera Ankrah. Artwork by Lou Kiss. 

Ned Parks is a dual-rated flight instructor from Akron, Ohio. After being present during an accident resulting from helicopter wake turbulence, Ned has spent the last year researching the not-often-discussed phenomena. We'll speak with Ned about his research, and how the aviation world can move forward and spread awareness. Hosted by Bruce Webb. Written, Edited, and Produced by Logan Evans. I...

Since 1982, Tim Tucker has served as Chief Instructor at Robinson Helicopter. We’ll learn about Tim’s roots in aviation, defined by his stint in the Vietnam war. He’ll give us insight into his time at Robinson, and expand on a design principle unique to Robinson helicopters. And if we listen closely, some of Tim’s humble wisdom might stick with us, to be applied when we need it most. Hosted by Bru...