The Helicopter Podcast

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

In this special holiday episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider looks back on a year packed with industry insights, personal milestones, and unforgettable conversations. From diving into helicopter training and safety with respected experts to exploring lessons borrowed from outside aviation, this season pushed the show forward in exciting new ways. Halsey shares the moments that shaped him most - welcoming a new child, learning from leaders like Terry and Simon, and feeling the strength of the helicopter community show up again and again.

As the year winds down, Halsey reflects with deep gratitude for the listeners, guests, and sponsors who made the podcast possible. He looks ahead to 2026 with excitement for new projects, new aircraft conversations (yes, airplanes too), and an even stronger lineup of industry voices. Listen to this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for a warm close to the year, and a reminder of how much there is to look forward to!

Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Enstrom and Sellacopter.

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!

Send us Fan Mail

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

In this special two-guest episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Gavin Jones and Jeff Johnson from JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Relay Service), a mission-based organization using aviation to support Bible translation in remote, unreached language groups. Gavin shares his lifelong passion for helicopters, sparked at age six in Colombia, leading to 18 years in Papua New Guinea flying Bell LongRangers and fixed-wing aircraft.

Jeff recounts his 39-year career, starting in Liberia and transitioning to helicopters at JAARS' North Carolina base. They discuss the demands of single-pilot operations in inaccessible areas, emphasizing PIC integrity, self-sufficiency, and decision-making under pressure.

From a medevac flight saving a mother in labor to a tense refueling incident with hostile villagers, their stories highlight the challenges and rewards of blending aviation expertise with spiritual purpose. Tune into this episode of The Helicopter Podcast to learn pathways to mission flying, and the transformative impact it has on isolated communities!

Thank you to our sponsors Robinson, Vertical Aviation International and Metro Aviation.

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!

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 welcomes Robyn Weisenburger, a helicopter pilot, author, and vice president of the Houston chapter of Women in Aviation International. Robyn shares her remarkable journey of pursuing her passion for aviation despite living with type 1 diabetes since age 13. She discusses the challenges of securing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate, and her path toward acquiring a BasicMed to fly helicopters privately. Robyn shares about her training at Veracity Aviation, where she earned her private pilot certificate. 

She also highlights her advocacy work, including her books "Fearless Flight" and "Type 1 and Beyond,” which inspire others facing similar obstacles. Tune into this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for an inspiring story on resilience and self-advocacy.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Vertical Aviation International 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!

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 Jop Dingemans and Janine Lythe from Pilots Who Ask Why for a candid discussion on what’s broken—and what’s working—in today’s helicopter career pathway.

They unpack the soaring cost of training in Europe, with instrument ratings now reaching more than €100,000, and why the helicopter track still feels scattered compared to the streamlined airline world. 

Jop and Janine break down the modular vs. integrated European training routes, the financial barriers pushing talented students away, and the growing pilot and maintenance shortages on both sides of the Atlantic.

The conversation also dives into their mission to make accident learning accessible. The pair reveal how Pilots Who Ask Why simplifies massive 600-page accident reports into practical safety takeaways pilots can actually apply—because real improvement comes from understanding the chain of decisions behind every event.

Whether you're a student pilot, seasoned aviator, or simply curious about the challenges facing rotorcraft professionals, this episode offers an honest look at where the helicopter industry stands—and the people working hard to make it better.

Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter, Hillsboro Heli Academy 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!

Send us Fan Mail

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

In this special crossover episode, host Halsey Schider is joined by Jon Gray of The Hangar Z Podcast and Vertical senior correspondent Brent Bundy for a candid conversation with Ryan Weeks, President and CEO of MD Helicopters.

Weeks shares how his lifelong passion for engineering and performance led him from automotive design to aviation leadership — guiding MD through a period of modernization and renewal. From improving the aftermarket supply chain to reinvigorating MD’s legendary aircraft lineup, Weeks offers insight into what it takes to lead a heritage brand into the future.

Together, the group dives into the revitalization of the MD 530N, the power-packed Super D20B upgrade, and the enduring legacy of MD’s NOTAR technology — still one of the most distinctive innovations in rotorcraft design.

They explore how MD is reconnecting with operators, tackling supply chain hurdles, and positioning itself for long-term growth as it nears its 80th anniversary. Along the way, the discussion touches on mentorship, leadership, and how community and innovation remain at the heart of helicopter aviation.

This is more than a technical conversation — it’s a look at how one of the industry’s most iconic names is writing its next chapter.

Thank you to our sponsors Vertical Aviation International, Metro Aviation and Sellacopter.

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!

Send us Fan Mail

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

In this special crossover episode, host Halsey Schider is joined by Jon Gray of The Hangar Z Podcast and Vertical senior correspondent Brent Bundy for a candid conversation with Ryan Weeks, President and CEO of MD Helicopters.

Weeks shares how his lifelong passion for engineering and performance led him from automotive design to aviation leadership — guiding MD through a period of modernization and renewal. From improving the aftermarket supply chain to reinvigorating MD’s legendary aircraft lineup, Weeks offers insight into what it takes to lead a heritage brand into the future.

Together, the group dives into the revitalization of the MD 530N, the power-packed Super D20B upgrade, and the enduring legacy of MD’s NOTAR technology — still one of the most distinctive innovations in rotorcraft design.

They explore how MD is reconnecting with operators, tackling supply chain hurdles, and positioning itself for long-term growth as it nears its 80th anniversary. Along the way, the discussion touches on mentorship, leadership, and how community and innovation remain at the heart of helicopter aviation.

This is more than a technical conversation — it’s a look at how one of the industry’s most iconic names is writing its next chapter.

Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Hillsboro Heli Academy and Sellacopter.

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!

Send us Fan Mail

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

In this two-part episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with his longtime friend Tony Melendrez, a former colleague from their Maverick Helicopters days. Tony shares his unconventional journey into aviation, sparked by a desire to blend his firefighting family background with helicopter flying. Tony’s path took him from flight school in California to tour flying in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Canyon. After five years at Maverick, Tony pursued his passion for heavy helicopters, flying Sikorsky S-61s overseas and later transitioning to firefighting with Croman Corporation. He discusses the challenges of moving from tours to utility and firefighting, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and maintaining industry connections. Stay tuned for the next episode of The Helicopter Podcast to learn more about the day-to-day experience of a helicopter firefighter!

Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopters, Vertical Aviation International and Airbus.

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!

Send us Fan Mail

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

In this two-part episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with his longtime friend Tony Melendrez, a former colleague from their Maverick Helicopters days. Tony shares his unconventional journey into aviation, sparked by a desire to blend his firefighting family background with helicopter flying. Tony’s path took him from flight school in California to tour flying in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Canyon. After five years at Maverick, Tony pursued his passion for heavy helicopters, flying Sikorsky S-61s overseas and later transitioning to firefighting with Croman Corporation. He discusses the challenges of moving from tours to utility and firefighting, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and maintaining industry connections. Stay tuned for the next episode of The Helicopter Podcast to learn more about the day-to-day experience of a helicopter firefighter!

Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter, Hillsboro Heli Academy 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!

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 chats with Kelsey Hoogendoorn, an Arizona-based aviation enthusiast and certified helicopter flight instructor (CFI/CFII). Kelsey opens up about her deep-rooted passion for helicopters, sparked during her early days as an Operations Control Specialist (OCS) at Metro Aviation. Drawing on her Embry-Riddle University aeronautics background, and her experience supporting air medical missions, she highlights the critical role of OCSs in risk mitigation, weather analysis, and crew decision-making. Kelsey shares her pathway to becoming a helicopter CFI while navigating the reality of financing training and building hours. As a member of The 99s and Whirly Girls, she emphasizes mentorship, tenacity, and the value of non-linear paths in aviation.

If you'd like to ask questions or get in touch with Kelsey, find her on LinkedIn!

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Hillsboro Heli Academy and Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.

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!

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 welcomes Terry Palmer, a trailblazer in helicopter safety and training. Terry shares her remarkable journey from building robots for Disney and Universal Studios to becoming a pivotal figure in aviation safety. Initially a fixed-wing pilot, she founded a flight school before joining OmniFlight Helicopters, where she developed air medical resource management courses to address high accident rates. At Flight Safety International, Terry spearheaded the helicopter training program, convincing insurance companies and the NTSB to prioritize simulator training. Her persistence led to the NTSB’s 2013 safety alert advocating simulator use. Now chair of VAI’s Training Industry Advisory Council, Terry focuses on mission-specific training and combating controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accidents.

Her upcoming Vertical Magazine article revisits CFIT prevention, emphasizing decision-making and the effects of modern aviation technology. Join Halsey and Terry for an inspiring discussion on advancing helicopter safety.
Stay tuned for its release in an upcoming issue of Vertical!

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Vertical Aviation International and Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.

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!