The Helicopter Podcast

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

In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Kimberly Hutchings, an aviation leader whose work with Volo Mission shapes the next generation of utility pilots through specialized training. They explore how emotional intelligence fuels effective leadership and safety, diving into human factors, stress management, and bridging the office-cockpit divide.

Kimberly shares insights on fostering strong company culture, her thoughts on the empowerment of women in aviation via Ladies of Long Line, and the role of mindfulness and community in tackling pilot challenges.

Join Halsey and Kimberly for a compelling look at balancing mental health, family, and a dynamic career in aviation!

Thank you to our sponsors Vertical Aviation International, Precision Aviation Group 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!

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

In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Brett Reeder, president of NEMSPA (National EMS Pilots Association) and a 15-year air medical pilot. They cover a lot of ground—everything from night shift challenges and Crew Resource Management to bigger industry topics like safety, networking, and pilot pay. Brett opens up about NEMSPA’s work, advocating for current and future EMS pilots with a focus on support and growth.

Tune in to this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for an engaging look at life in the air medical world with Halsey and Brett!

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group 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!

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

Buckle up for an unforgettable in-person episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded live at Verticon, with your host Halsey Schider and co-host Jon Gray, the voice behind the Hangar Z Podcast!

Today's guest, Air Zermatt CEO Daniel Aufdenblatten, takes them on a wild ride through his remarkable life in aviation, starting from his childhood in the shadow of Zermatt’s towering Swiss Alps, where helicopters were the lifeline of the mountains. Daniel recounts his bold move to the U.S., diving headfirst into flight training at Hillsboro Aviation (now Hillsboro Heli Academy) and racking up a jaw-dropping 1,800 hours in just two years with three companies.

Daniel shares a laugh-out-loud story about his Air Zermatt job interview that landed him a role with one of the world’s premier helicopter operations. He describes the steep learning curve of long-line work in an Airbus AStar (AS350 B2), including a heart-pounding tale of slinging concrete to a remote site, pushing the helicopter to the edge of its envelope. Daniel shares about the intensity of flying with night vision goggles (NVGs) in Switzerland’s pitch-black rural nights, and offers insights on building self-confidence and embracing patience while mastering new challenges.

Don't miss this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, packed with humor, heart, and the kind of rotor talk that will leave you inspired!

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

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!

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

In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Simon Jones, founder of Advanced Flight and a top-tier helicopter instructor at the Robinson Helicopter factory. With over 17,000 hours of flight time, including over 12,000 hours teaching in the Robinson R44, Simon's name is known far and wide through the industry.

They explore a range of topics—from advanced maneuvers like autorotations and recovery techniques to the evolution of flight training and safety innovations. Simon shares insights on simplifying complex skills, as well as the reliability of Robinson helicopters and the impact of their new horizontal stabilizer. The discussion covers instructor challenges, the need for continuous learning, and tailoring training to individual pilots.

For an in-depth look at mastering helicopter flight and flight instruction, join Halsey and Simon for this insightful episode of The Helicopter Podcast!

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

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

In this buzzing in-person episode, host Halsey Schider takes The Helicopter Podcast to Verticon 2025 for a panel that’s all about the skies teaming up. Recorded live amid the show’s hum, Halsey is joined by Peter Fuchs of Ascent Aero Systems, regulatory specialist Amber Harrison from Vertical Aviation International, and Heliflite’s Rob Bentley-Johnston from Australia. They dive into how drones and helicopters aren’t rivals but partners, boosting missions from rescue to logistics.

Peter shares Ascent’s journey from startup to Robinson Helicopters’ recent acquisition, as well as details on Ascent's new Helius drone, a coaxial UAV offering rugged performance in surveillance, search and rescue, logistics, and more. The group explore how Helius can be deployed in real-world missions, particularly in scenarios where drones can enhance efficiency and safety by working alongside helicopters.

Amber tackles the regulatory tangle holding back beyond-line-of-sight drone ops, while Rob pitches a vision of full-on aerial teamwork. Tune into this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for a peek at the thrilling future of helicopters and UAVs in sync!

Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter, 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!

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

In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, your host Halsey Schider welcomes the legendary Jon Gray and Jack Schonely, from The Hangar Z Podcast, for an in-depth discussion on law enforcement aviation! They dive into recent highlights from Hangar Z, including Halsey's unforgettable ride-along with the LAPD helicopter unit.

The conversation explores the critical role of tactical flight officers (TFOs), the impact of advanced technology in police aviation, and the communication challenges of operating in busy airspace.

Halsey, Jon, and Jack, also examine the importance of teamwork, culture, and career pathways in law enforcement aviation. Tune into this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for an inside look at the challenges and rewards of aviation law enforcement, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration and teamwork in the industry.

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

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!

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

In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with industry colleagues and friends, Cornéll Grové and Dr. Daniel Borer, to discuss their latest venture: Swiss Premium. This high-end helicopter brokerage specializes in offering clients nearly new luxury helicopters, emphasizing unparalleled ethics and standards in every transaction.

Cornéll and Daniel share their vision for Swiss Premium, highlighting their commitment to providing discerning buyers with top-tier aircraft and exceptional service. Their extensive experience in helicopter sales and operations positions them uniquely to understand and meet the nuanced needs of their clientele.

The conversation also delves into the current state of the European and global helicopter sales markets. The trio reflects on the challenges faced in 2024, noting a slowdown attributed to high inflation and economic uncertainties. They discuss strategies to navigate these complexities and the importance of maintaining integrity and quality in the industry.

Daniel brings a wealth of experience to the discussion. As a passionate helicopter pilot and practicing doctor, he is the owner of Centaurium Aviation, a helicopter dealership based in Switzerland. Under his leadership, Centaurium Aviation has established a part 145 maintenance organization in Bern and acquired a facility in Sion. Daniel’s extensive network and experience within the aviation industry have been instrumental in the success of his ventures. 

Cornéll, with a rich history in helicopter sales and operations, has been instrumental in establishing Swiss Premium’s reputation for excellence. His deep understanding of the market and commitment to client satisfaction have been pivotal in the company’s success.

Tune in to this insightful episode to learn more about Swiss Premium’s approach to luxury helicopter brokerage and gain valuable perspectives on the current market dynamics from seasoned professionals.

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

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

In this electrifying episode, host Halsey Schider brings The Helicopter Podcast to the buzzing floor of Verticon 2025, sitting down with Pete Anderson, senior manager of helicopter operations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

As California’s biggest utility—powering one in 20 Americans—PG&E leans on its aviation muscle, and Pete—with 28 years on the job—has lived it all. From lineman days on high-voltage lines to running a top-tier helicopter outfit, he shares a charged view of keeping the grid humming from above.

Pete dives into PG&E’s daring missions: Crews in Faraday suits tackling live 500kV lines mid-flight, helicopters hauling towers and concrete, and human external cargo ops slinging linemen for over 14,000 hours a year. With Black Hawks, a 50-year tie to PJ Helicopters, and a peak of 75 ships in a day, the scale is stunning. He highlights picking versatile Bell 407s and seasoned pilots with laser focus, plus LiDAR scans to dodge wildfire risks. Pete also reflects on safety’s evolution—rigorous training, linemen in crew resource management—and nods to drones stepping up for new tasks.

Join Halsey and Pete live from Verticon for a jolt of real-world wisdom on powering California with helicopters and beyond!

Thank you to our sponsors Vertical Aviation International, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation and Hillsboro Heli Academy.

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

In this thrilling in-person episode, host Halsey Schider brings The Helicopter Podcast to Verticon 2025, sitting down with Airbus Helicopters’ Dirk Petry, a 25-year engineering veteran, and test pilot Volker Bau. Recorded live amid the show’s buzz, they unveil the H140—a perfect blend of the H135’s affordability and the H145’s power, sparked by market demand for more space and performance. Its five-blade rotor cuts vibration, while a sleek medical interior and six comfy seats shine.

Volker shares the joy of flying the H140, and his excitement with “hot and high” tests on the horizon, while Dirk touts its performance: a new powerful and efficient engine and low sound emissions thanks to the five-blade main rotor and the new Fenestron design. 

With global certification and life-saving potential fueling their pride, Join Halsey, Dirk, and Volker for a front-row peek at Airbus’ amazing new helicopter!

Enjoy this special bonus episode recorded live on the show floor at Veritcon 2025. 

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

In this exciting in-person episode, host Halsey Schider takes The Helicopter Podcast to the pulsing heart of Verticon 2025, sitting down with Robinson Helicopter Company’s CEO David Smith, and VP of Engineering Sean Doyle.

The conversation ignites with the R66’s stunning transformation. David and Sean unpack its bold upgrades—cutting-edge avionics, a seamless 2-axis autopilot, and a trio of fresh options: the affordable Southwood, the refined Palo Verde, and the one-year-only Riviera special edition. It’s a pilot’s dream, reimagined with flair and precision.

The spotlight then swings to the R88, Robinson’s brand-new sensation unveiled at Verticon. David and Sean trace its path from a spark of inspiration to the cusp of flight, teasing a versatile, two-blade titan built for power, efficiency, and flexibility for missions like utility, EMS, tours, and firefighting across the globe. David shares his thrill at the reveal, envisioning its impact worldwide, as well as deep insights into safety innovations, like autopilot inputs to avoid Low-G, that have never been applied or considered in two-bladed helicopters before.

Join Halsey, David, and Sean for a front-row seat to Robinson’s electrifying next chapter!

Thank you to our sponsors Astronautics Corporation of America, Robinson Helicopter and Hillsboro Heli Academy.