In this gripping episode recorded live at Verticon, former fighter pilot and host John Ramstead sits down with Dave Salem, founder of Eagle West Helicopters and former law enforcement officer turned production test pilot. Dave shares an extraordinary journey that spans from police patrol cars to executing full-down auto rotations at night using NVGs. This conversation dives deep into the world of advanced helicopter training, emergency preparedness, and the life-saving decisions pilots must make in seconds.

Whether you're in aviation, leadership, or just inspired by those who push boundaries in service of others, Dave’s insights on real-world training and helicopter safety are nothing short of exceptional.

Dave Salem is the founder of Eagle West Helicopters, a company specializing in advanced helicopter training including NVG operations, emergency procedure drills, and transitional/recurrent training. With a rich career that started in law enforcement, Dave transitioned into aviation with the Mesa Police Department, later becoming a production test pilot at MD Helicopters and Bell.

With over a decade of experience flying and training in MD aircraft, Dave has developed a reputation for creating realistic, scenario-based training that mimics the real-life environments pilots operate in — from utility work to law enforcement missions. He continues to volunteer in Arizona and is passionate about saving lives through rigorous training.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-salem-a1682396/

About Eagle West Helicopters

Eagle West Helicopters is a premier provider of advanced helicopter training, specializing in emergency procedures, night vision goggle (NVG) operations, and scenario-based instruction tailored to real-world flying environments. Founded by experienced pilot Dave Salem, the company serves law enforcement, first responders, utility pilots, and private aviators with high-quality, mission-specific training designed to build instinctive, life-saving skills. With a focus on safety, precision, and hands-on experience, Eagle West Helicopters is committed to preparing pilots for the challenges of everyday and emergency flight operations.

"When you get your ratings, you do everything the FAA requires. But after you get your ratings, now you train to save your life."
— Dave Salem

"You only have one shot at it. So it has to be instinctive. And if it’s not, we need to make it instinctive."
— Dave Salem

"My job is to give somebody every tool they have in case something happens."
— Dave Salem

"I shut all the cockpit lights off in training. Why? Because in a real emergency, you don’t know what’s going to fail."
— Dave Salem

"That 15 to 30 seconds after an engine failure — it defines your preparedness and skill."
— John Ramstead