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Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

In this gripping episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Lee Benson, a 2025 MHM Blades of Valor Award recipient, whose 15,000-plus hours as a helicopter pilot have left an indelible mark on the industry. 

From his early days as a Vietnam War pilot at 19, Lee transitioned to commercial flying in the “Wild West” era of the 1970s, supported naval operations, and served 27 years with LA County Fire Department, where he was instrumental in developing the Firehawk. 

He shares gripping stories of surviving a tail rotor failure in Vietnam and a rotor brake incident in Alaska, showcasing his resilience and skill. As a key figure in transforming the Firehawk into a versatile public-use aircraft for firefighting, swift water rescues, and medical evacuations, Lee offers timeless insights on professionalism and managing high-time pilots. Join Halsey for an unforgettable dive into Lee’s extraordinary contributions.

To learn more about LA County Fire Department’s Air Operations, visit: https://fire.lacounty.gov/

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Airbus and Precision Aviation Group.

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!