The Helicopter Podcast

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In this solo episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider takes on a difficult but important subject: helicopter accidents, the loss of fellow aviators, and the lasting impact those experiences can have on the people who continue flying.

Reflecting on several recent accidents across the industry, Halsey shares a deeply personal story from his early flight training about losing his friend and instructor, Doug, in an accident involving a helicopter he had been scheduled to fly that same day. He discusses how that experience changed his perspective on aviation safety and shaped the responsibility he felt toward his own students as a flight instructor.

Halsey also explores the difficult emotions that follow the loss of a colleague, including the questions pilots face about returning to the cockpit and balancing their passion for flying with the risks involved.

The conversation closes with practical reflections on professionalism, complacency, personal accountability, and the importance of working for operators that genuinely support safe decisions.

It's a candid and heartfelt episode about the realities of helicopter aviation, remembering those we've lost, and doing our part to make the industry safer.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Helicopter Institute, Hillsboro Heli Academy and Precision Aviation Group. 

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In this milestone 200th episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider welcomes John LeDrew and Jay Lugo of the Helicopter Pilot Study Group for a conversation about flight training, mentorship and the importance of community in aviation.

After beginning his helicopter training at 46, John discovered how challenging it could be to navigate flight school without a strong support network. What began as a small group of pilots sharing knowledge has since grown into a free online community where students, instructors and experienced aviators come together to learn from one another.

John and Jay share how the group developed, the value of collaborative learning and why pilots at every experience level have something to contribute. The conversation also explores the challenges of Part 61 training, becoming a flight instructor and the importance of building relationships throughout an aviation career.

As The Helicopter Podcast celebrates 200 episodes, it's a fitting conversation about what makes this industry special: pilots sharing their experiences, supporting one another and helping the next generation succeed.

Learn more and join the free Helicopter Pilot Study Group through their Facebook community and Discord platform.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Hillsboro Helicopter Academy, Vertical Aviation International and Airbus.

Other links:
https://floridaaviationnetwork.com/skybaum-blog-5-2/
https://dot.cards/skybaum
https://foundonpreflight.com/
https://www.helicoptertrainingvideos.com/
https://helipreflight.com/
https://askhogs.com/

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In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with longtime friend Joey Buley to compare two aviation careers that started from similar places but ultimately took very different paths.

Halsey and Joey have known each other since childhood, and Joey reflects on finding his way into flight school after struggling with the traditional college path. His career would take him through flight instruction, regional airlines, corporate aviation, and eventually single-pilot IFR air medical operations.

Drawing on years in two-pilot cockpits, Joey shares his perspective on crew resource management, communication, and the importance of feeling empowered to speak up. He also recounts one of the most frightening flights of his career—encountering severe turbulence over Mount Rose in a PC-12 and fighting to maintain control of the aircraft.

The conversation closes with Joey's latest venture, For The Frontline, a brand inspired by his connection to aviation and the first responder community.

From career choices to CRM and lessons learned in the cockpit, it's a conversation about the many different paths a career in aviation can take.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Enstrom Helicopter, Precision Aviation Group and Hillsboro Heli Academy. 

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In this episode, Halsey Schider welcomes Robinson Helicopter Company CEO David Smith back to the podcast for an update on a period of significant change for the company.

At the centre of the conversation is Robinson's growing role in military flight training and the selection of the R66 for the U.S. Army's Flight School Next program. David explains why the Army is placing renewed emphasis on single-engine training and fundamental stick-and-rudder skills, and what the program could mean for Robinson as thousands of future Army aviators gain experience on the R66.

The conversation also looks at what's next for the R66 itself. David discusses Robinson's work toward expanded IFR capabilities, the certification challenges involved, and how real-world accidents and incidents continue to influence the company's thinking around safety, training and aircraft development.

Halsey and David also dig into engine supply challenges, Robinson's expanding partnerships, unmanned applications and the company's longer-term ambitions.

From training the next generation of Army aviators to expanding what the R66 can do, David offers a look at how Robinson is positioning itself for its next chapter.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Vertical Aviation International, SiriusXM Aviation and Robinson Helicopter. 

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In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Jim O'Neill of Bristow Group, an experienced helicopter rescue paramedic, winchman, and winch operator whose career has taken him from the infantry to decades of helicopter search-and-rescue operations.

Jim takes Halsey inside a challenging rescue with the Irish Coast Guard near Dingle Harbour, Ireland, where severe weather, a vessel in distress, and a rapidly evolving situation forced the crew to make difficult decisions under pressure. The mission would ultimately earn Jim the Billy Deakin Award, named in honour of a winchman who lost his life during a heroic rescue.

Beyond the rescue itself, Jim shares what years of experience have taught him about managing risk without becoming another casualty, recognizing when pressure is beginning to influence a decision, and relying on strong crew resource management where everyone has both a voice and a responsibility to speak up.

Jim and Halsey also discuss the training and mindset behind helicopter rescue, including Jim's belief that mastering the simple things creates the foundation for handling the complicated ones. From building trust with new rescue crew members to maintaining proficiency after decades on the job, the conversation offers a rare perspective from someone who has spent much of his career working beneath the helicopter when the stakes are at their highest.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Enstrom Helicopter, Metro Aviation and Hillsboro Heli Academy. 

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In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Chad McIntosh and Bailey Gackstetter of Great Lakes Helicopter and HeliSIX in Ontario, Canada, for a conversation about flight training, building helicopter pilots and the value of learning inside a working aviation operation.

Chad and Bailey explain why choosing a flight school should be about more than price or simply earning a licence. The instructors, culture and community surrounding a student can help shape the pilot they eventually become. They also discuss how students can make the most of their first 100 hours by asking questions, learning from experienced pilots and taking advantage of every opportunity to see real helicopter operations firsthand.

The conversation also explores Great Lakes' evolution from flight training into a diverse operation spanning aerial application, charter, utility and tourism, along with the launch and growth of the HeliSIX brand.

For aspiring pilots in particular, Chad and Bailey offer a candid look at helicopter training in Canada, the realities of breaking into the industry and why attitude, professionalism and a willingness to learn can matter long before that first flying job.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Vertical Aviation International, Robinson Helicopter and Sellacopter. 

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In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Beau Prine of Aviation Academy Louisiana to discuss a career shaped by military aviation, maintenance excellence, and a passion for developing the next generation of aviation professionals.

Before entering aviation education, Beau served as a CH-53 crew chief in the United States Marine Corps, including two tours with HMX-1—the squadron responsible for presidential helicopter transport. He shares stories from his first presidential mission supporting President Obama, his return to the unit years later during President Trump's first term, and the professionalism, preparation, and attention to detail required to support some of the most visible aviation operations in the world.

The conversation explores the critical role maintenance plays in aviation safety, lessons learned from the Marine Corps' CH-53 reset program, and the standards required to keep aircraft mission-ready after years of demanding operational use. Beau also reflects on leadership, personal accountability, and the pride that comes from mastering a craft and continually striving for excellence.

From presidential support missions to aviation training, this episode offers an inside look at military helicopter operations and the lessons that continue to shape Beau's approach to aviation today. At its core, it's a conversation about professionalism, preparation, and the people behind the aircraft who make every mission possible.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Hillsboro Heli Academy, Precision Aviation Group and Sellacopter.

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In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with fighter pilot, author, and content creator C.W. Lemoine to talk about an aviation career that rarely followed the obvious path.

Growing up in Louisiana, C.W. dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, only to be told early on that his eyesight would likely prevent him from ever reaching that goal. Rather than letting that answer define his future, he continued looking for another way in. A chance connection with an Air Force Reserve fighter squadron eventually opened a door, beginning a military aviation career that would take him through the Air Force and Navy and into flying aircraft including the F-16 and F/A-18.

C.W. shares some of the unexpected turns along that journey, from Hurricane Katrina and military restructuring to deployments and combat flying. He and Halsey also get into the realities of high-performance aircraft, G-forces, training, and C.W.'s eventual experience crossing over into the helicopter world.

The conversation also explores how C.W. has taken his aviation experience beyond the cockpit through his books and online content, using authenticity and approachable storytelling to connect aviation with a much broader audience.

C.W.'s latest novel, AIR ONE: Origin, is available for pre-order now and releases October 20. Pre-order your copy here.

Through it all is a lesson C.W. has carried throughout his career: don't eliminate yourself from an opportunity before someone with the authority to make that decision actually tells you no. It's a philosophy he has spoken about before in his popular “Make Them Tell You No” video, and one that comes through clearly in his own unconventional path into military aviation. His story is a reminder that an aviation career doesn't always unfold according to plan—and that setbacks don't necessarily mean the end of the road.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Robinson, Sirius XM Aviation and Airbus.

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In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Ryan Vandehei, a former Coast Guard helicopter pilot, to talk about his path into military aviation, the realities of Coast Guard flight training, and some of the personal challenges that have come with the journey.

Ryan shares what drew him to the Coast Guard Academy with the goal of becoming a pilot and the highs and lows that followed—from struggling through his first weeks at the Academy and wondering whether he belonged there to eventually learning he had earned a coveted spot in flight school. He and Halsey also explore the different pathways available to aspiring Coast Guard aviators and what makes the service's approach to helicopter operations and rescue missions unique.

The conversation also moves beyond flying as Ryan speaks candidly about his experiences with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and the pressures that can accompany being a high performer in military aviation. Ryan and Halsey discuss why those struggles can be difficult to acknowledge in a culture built around performance and resilience, and the value of having people around you who are willing to talk openly when things aren't going well.

From earning a place in flight school to navigating the demands that come with military aviation, Ryan's story offers an inside look at becoming a Coast Guard helicopter pilot—and a reminder that some of the toughest challenges in aviation aren't necessarily encountered in the cockpit.

Ryan's has also recorded another episode with the Flight Suit Friday podcast on mental health that can be listened to here.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Airbus, Metro Aviation and Sellacopter.

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

Aviation insurance can often feel like a complicated process, but behind every policy is a conversation about risk, experience, and finding the right solution.

In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey sits down with Ryan Konrath of Wings Insurance and Michael Puglisi of IAT Insurance Group to explore the world of aviation insurance from both sides of the table. They discuss how brokers and underwriters evaluate pilots, aircraft, and operations—and why the best outcomes come from communication, preparation, and understanding the bigger picture.

Ryan and Michael explain the difference between shopping for insurance and choosing the right broker, the role curiosity plays in building a strong application, and how underwriters work with clients to find solutions instead of simply saying no.

From navigating changing insurance markets to understanding how career paths can take unexpected turns, this conversation offers valuable insight into one of the most important parts of aviation that often happens behind the scenes.

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Enstrom, Hillsboro Heli Academy and Robinson Helicopter.