In this second episode, Bruce and Chris discuss how to manage risk during flight.

For more information, and for a full list of Helicopter Safety Enhancements, please visit https://ushst.org/h-se-details/

In this four part mini-series, Bruce Webb and Chris Baur are taking a deep-dive into four different safety enhancement concepts researched and published by the US Helicopter Safety Team. In this first episode, Bruce and Chris look at HSE 19A: Improving Safety Culture.

For more information, and for a full list of Helicopter Safety Enhancements, please visit https://ushst.org/h-se-details/

After a two-month hiatus, Push to Talk will return in January with a new batch of conversations featuring  more insightful figures across the world of aviation. 

Thierry Couderc is the Vice Chair of the European Helicopter Association. In this conversation, Thierry and I will speak about aviation regulation in a changing world. Theirrey will tell us about his work integrating drones into European airspace, and some of the challenges he’s faced doing so. 

We’ll speak about Bird Strikes vs Drone Strikes. What are the major differences between the two — and how can flight regulations better address these differences? 

Then, we’ll speak about safety advocacy; how despite the competitive nature of our industry, the goal of reducing accidents and saving lives should reach beyond make, model, and manufacturer. 

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 challenging roles.  

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, and reflect on the kindness and hospitality we received in the face of so much suffering. 

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 HowToHelicopter; how the page she started as a fun pastime grew a following of over two hundred thousand people across her different platforms. 

We’ll learn about Faith’s personal backstory as a mechanic; and the philosophy she brings to her new role as industry ambassador.

Then, we’ll talk career paths. How an interested young person can get their foot in the door, and take their first steps toward changing our industry. 

And, much more.

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 labels written in lowercase? And why are warning alerts more effective in a female voice? We’ll break down at the science of language — how errors in wording have led to disaster in flight, and how we can communicate better as a multi-lingual industry. 

Then, we’ll look to the future; how people like Nataly are changing the way we interact with our aircraft. 

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 understanding. Then, we’ll look to the future; how we can take the lessons we learn within our personal bubbles, and use them to enrich the industry as a whole?