The Helicopter Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast , brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this engaging episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Jerome Ronssin, the Light Helicopter Program Director for Airbus, to discuss his pivotal role and the ongoing evolution of the H125 (A Star) helicopter. Jerome likens his job to that of a conductor, ensuring seamless coll...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this captivating episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider interviews David Horton, CEO of Schweizer Helicopters, to explore the rich history and enduring legacy of this iconic helicopter brand. David walks us through Schweizer Helicopters' journey, beginning in the late 1950s as part o...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast , brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider sits down with Jon Gray, host of the Hangar Z Podcast, to explore their unique podcasting styles and the origins of Jon’s show. Jon is a former law enforcement officer who transitioned to flying helicopters for the police, and he shares his fasc...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider interviews Tracy Stallings, a helicopter pilot at Classic Air Medical. Tracy shares her inspiring journey of becoming a helicopter pilot, from her initial experiences training in Hawaii and California, emphasizing the unique challenges and benefits of each location, to her current work as an HAA (Helicopter...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider interviews Cathy Press, the owner of Chinook Helicopters, a premier flight training company in British Columbia, Canada. Cathy shares her remarkable journey in aviation, highlighting many challenges and rewards. She recounts her transition from fixed-wing to helicopter flying and expresses her passion for t...

Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider interviews Clint Pulver. Clint is a professional speaker, author, helicopter enthusiast, and creator of the YouTube series "Finding Hill.” He walks us through his fascinating journey from aspiring helicopter pilot to overcoming personal challenges and rediscovering his passion for aviation. He shares...

Send us Fan Mail In this new episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider sits down with Brad Pedersen, CEO of MD Helicopters, to speak about the company’s rich legacy, as well as current developments with the company. Brad begins by providing an engaging overview of MD Helicopters' storied history. He highlights the brand's deep roots in the aviation industry and its longstan...

Send us Fan Mail Make sure to check out this episode on YouTube for the full visual experience of this beautiful flight above the Los Angeles coastline!  Join us for an exhilarating in-helicopter episode of The Helicopter Podcast with Chris Smith, experimental test pilot at Robinson Helicopter Company! In this unique episode, host Halsey Schider takes to the skies with Chris, flying all over Los A...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging episode of The Helicopter Podcast , your host Halsey Schider sits down with Devin Elder, a helicopter owner and pilot. Devin shares his journey into aviation and the motivations behind owning an R44. They discuss the challenges of balancing helicopter training with his responsibilities as a CEO, emphasizing the importance of a level-headed mindset and respect for...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging, in-person episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider sits down with Jared Friend, vice president of helicopter operations at Hillsboro Heli Academy (HHA).  As they reminisce about past collaborations, they dive into a variety of captivating topics centered around HHA. From exploring HHA’s steadfast commitment to safety management and fostering just c...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider speaks in person at HAI Heli Expo with Dennis Martin from Enstrom Helicopters, an organization with a rich heritage in the aviation industry.  Martin shares insights into the pivotal moments and achievements that have defined Enstrom's identity over the years. He discusses his extensive experience with the compan...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast , your host Halsey Schider interviews Nick Sinopoli from Icarus about their innovative view-limiting device for helicopter and airplane pilots. They discuss the inspiration behind the device, its creative application of new technology, as well as the challenges of entrepreneurship and the different markets they serve.  Nick shares his pers...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider engages in an insightful conversation with Amber Harrison, a commercial-rated helicopter pilot he crossed paths with at the Robinson R66 Safety Course this past spring. As they talk through Harrison's aviation journey, listeners are treated to her perspective on flying not as a job, but as a passion.  Harrison sh...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! In this  Vertical Helicasts Mash-Up episodes with Jon Gray from The Helicopter Podcast and Jason Quinn from the Real ResQ Podcast, the group introduces the newest Vertical host, Val Medved, who will be hosting the new Vertical MRO Podcast —the first episode drops today. The Vertical MRO Podcast explores the w...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is brought to you interruption-free by Airbus Helicopters ! In this in-person episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded live at HAI Heli-Expo 2024, host Halsey Schider speaks with Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. In addition to sharing insights into his past, Even talks through the current projects, priorities, and successes of the company, as well as its futu...

Send us Fan Mail Join host Halsey Schider in a special edition of The Helicopter Podcast as he sits down with Sparrow Tang, the owner of Cascade Helicopter Services and Advanced Helicopter Services.  Recorded live at this year's HAI Heli-Expo, Tang shares his remarkable journey from helicopter mechanic to successful business owner. In a candid discussion, they delve into the challenges and tr...

Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of The Helicopter Podcast , Halsey has the pleasure of sitting down with Max Lyons, the visionary owner and CEO of Hillsboro Aviation.  From Halsey: “This conversation held a special resonance for me, as Hillsboro Aviation is not just any company—it's where I got my start in the aviation industry and called home for seven years. Despite knowing Max...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is brought to you interruption-free by Robinson Helicopter Company ! In this first ever in-person podcast episode of The Helicopter Podcast , Join host Halsey Schider as he speaks once again with David Smith, the new CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company! With the excited ambiance of HAI Heli-Expo in the background, Smith takes us on a journey through the past, present,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider engages with Keith Campbell, owner of Utah Helicopter. Campbell’s journey from security sales to helicopter piloting and flight school ownership is both inspiring and informative.  Together, they dive into crucial topics like instructor safety, employee retention, pilot pay structures and the challenges of entrepreneu...

Send us Fan Mail In this thrilling episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider is joined by the intrepid Darcy Hoover, a seasoned helicopter pilot with tales to captivate any aviator. Together they embark on an exhilarating journey through Hoover’s history, with a look into some amazing stories from his career. Hoover, a first-generation pilot, shares his flying journey from mastering...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider sits down with Jess Burch, a meteorologist and helicopter pilot, in celebration of Women in Aviation Week. Explore Burch's fascinating journey as she navigates the skies and airwaves, from her start with ROTC, to flying Blackhawks in the Army, to working as a meteorologist for NBC and flying in the Califo...

Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of The Helicopter Podcast , join host Halsey Schider as he sits down with Nick Paladeni, a seasoned helicopter pilot with a broad range of experience. From their shared roots in Oregon, to their formative years at Hillsboro Heli Academy, Paladeni provides a fascinating glimpse into his journey. Paladeni discusses his transition from a corporate job to t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast , host Halsey Schider is joined by Eli Bickley, a certified flight instructor (CFI) currently on his path through instruction, with nearly 600 hours of flight time. Together, they explore Bickley's journey, tracing his transition from entrepreneurship in the landscaping industry to a dedicated pursuit of aviation. Bickley candidly sha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the three Vertical HeliCASTS Hosts, Halsey Schider of The Helicopter Podcast , Jon Gray of The Hangar Z Podcast , and Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ discuss their excitement for the upcoming HAI event and the podcast lineups they have planned. They also talk about the networking opportunities and the chance to reconnect with industry colleagues and professionals. Ma...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast , Host Halsey Schider speaks with Chris Nelson, a helicopter owner and enthusiast. Nelson shares his background and interest in aviation, including his experiences with helicopters in the military. The two discuss the benefits and drawbacks of Nelson owning his own Robinson R22 for training, and his future plans in aviation. Nelson offers...