Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Val Medved, co-host Faith Ortega, and guest Joseph LaCaze of Helicopter Work Aids take listeners on a journey through legacy, innovation, and the personal side of helicopter maintenance.

Joe shares how a childhood surrounded by aviation shaped his passion for the industry—and how that passion evolved into a career rooted in both technical expertise and a drive to improve the tools of the trade. From early influences in the Gulf of Mexico to co-founding Helicopter Work Aids a family business focused on aviation tools, Joe highlights the power of mentorship, the impact of embracing challenges, and the value of community in growing as a maintainer.

The conversation moves seamlessly from lighthearted banter about sports rivalries and family stories to deep dives into safety-focused tool innovation, quality control, and the evolving needs of helicopter mechanics. With insights on continuous learning, legacy aircraft, and building strong industry partnerships, this episode offers something for everyone in the rotorcraft maintenance world.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Airbus and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Val Medved, co-host Faith Ortega, and guest Joseph LaCaze take listeners on a journey through legacy, innovation, and the personal side of helicopter maintenance.

Joe shares how a childhood surrounded by aviation shaped his passion for the industry—and how that passion evolved into a career rooted in both technical expertise and a drive to improve the tools of the trade. From early influences in the Gulf of Mexico to co-founding a family business focused on aviation tools, Joe highlights the power of mentorship, the impact of embracing challenges, and the value of community in growing as a maintainer.

The conversation moves seamlessly from lighthearted banter about sports rivalries and family stories to deep dives into safety-focused tool innovation, quality control, and the evolving needs of helicopter mechanics. With insights on continuous learning, legacy aircraft, and building strong industry partnerships, this episode offers something for everyone in the rotorcraft maintenance world.

Special thanks to our sponsors, SAFE Structure Designs, Robinson Helicopter and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO podcast, host Jon Gray sits down with two industry experts who will be presenting at the upcoming Vertical MRO Conference.

Chris Matt, with over 36 years of experience at PHI, shares insights into his course on corrosion, highlighting its critical impact on rotorcraft maintenance.

Francois Magnan, a veteran in the rotorcraft community since 1981 and currently with Parker Lord, discusses his presentation on the care and inspection of elastomeric components.

This conversation highlights the essential role of the Vertical MRO Conference in promoting knowledge exchange among rotorcraft maintenance professionals.

It also underscores the critical importance of continuous training, industry recruitment, and strong networking, all of which are vital to ensuring safety, operational excellence, and the ongoing advancement of rotorcraft maintenance.

Registration is now open for the upcoming Vertical MRO Conference. Join us from October 7-9 at the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, British Columbia, or from November 10-12 at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and expand your industry expertise!

For more information about the Vertical MRO Conference, including registration details and the agenda, visit our website at verticalmro.com.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part series, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely, hosts of the Hangar Z Podcast, sit down with Richard Weiser from the Glendale Burbank Police Air Support Unit.

Weiser is a highly skilled helicopter maintenance professional with over 25 years of experience in maintaining and supporting helicopter operations.

With more than 18 years dedicated to law enforcement aviation, Weiser has demonstrated exceptional expertise in ensuring aircraft airworthiness, modifying helicopters to meet departmental needs, and managing maintenance schedules.

Currently serving as the director of maintenance for the Glendale Burbank Police Department Air Support Unit, he has maintained a fleet of MD500N helicopters for over 15 years.

Weiser’s background also includes military helicopter maintenance service in the United States Marine Corps. He holds an active A&P mechanic certificate and an IA inspector authorization.

Known for his reliability, technical skill, and dedication, Weiser is a proven asset in aviation maintenance and law enforcement support.

Special thanks to our sponsors, SAFE Structure Designs and Robinson Helicopter.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this two-part series, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely, hosts of the Hangar Z Podcast, sit down with Richard Weiser from the Glendale Burbank Police Air Support Unit.

Weiser is a highly skilled helicopter maintenance professional with over 25 years of experience in maintaining and supporting helicopter operations.

With more than 18 years dedicated to law enforcement aviation, Weiser has demonstrated exceptional expertise in ensuring aircraft airworthiness, modifying helicopters to meet departmental needs, and managing maintenance schedules.

Currently serving as the director of maintenance for the Glendale Burbank Police Department Air Support Unit, he has maintained a fleet of MD500N helicopters for over 15 years.

Weiser’s background also includes military helicopter maintenance service in the United States Marine Corps. He holds an active A&P mechanic certificate and an IA inspector authorization.

Known for his reliability, technical skill, and dedication, Weiser is a proven asset in aviation maintenance and law enforcement support.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Metro Aviation Inc. and Airbus.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this special edition of the Vertical MRO Podcast, Jon Gray welcomes back Val Medved for a long-overdue catch-up on career changes, podcast reflections, and what’s next for VMRO. Val shares how a promotion to director of sales and marketing at Essential Turbines has kept him busy, but his passion for the podcast—and the maintenance community it celebrates—has never wavered. Together, Jon and Val reflect on standout moments from the first year of the show, from ice fishing interviews to global recognition from industry pros.

This episode also features five listener-favorite clips:
• Episode 29: Tristan Bedoe, Maintenance Instructor—Hands-on AME training and facing the AME shortage;
• Episode 28: The Vertical MRO Conference—Building a rotorcraft maintenance conference from the ground up;
• Bell Tech Talk Episode 2: Helicopter Washing—Highlighting how washing helicopters is more than just maintenance;
• Episode 33: A Lifetime of Maintenance with Mike Broderick—How troubleshooting is evolving with technology; and
• Episode 18: AI Maintenance Panel—Covering the transformative impact of AI on helicopter maintenance.

Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or have been with us since Episode 1, this retrospective is a celebration of the people, passion, and behind-the-scenes brilliance that keep the rotorcraft world turning.

Special thanks to you, our listeners! Thank you for listening and being a part of the MRO family. If you can spare a minute, please leave a review of the podcast and let us know how we are doing!

Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell.

In this episode, host Jon Gray sits down with Mike Loeffler and Kurt Nielsen of Bell to explore the intersection of customer satisfaction, leadership, and the ongoing challenges in aerospace supply chains. Together, they unpack how Bell’s customer-first culture has helped the company navigate a rapidly evolving global landscape shaped by geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty.

The conversation delves into the personal paths that brought each guest into aviation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how career diversity and a passion for service strengthen leadership in this complex industry. From fostering innovation in supply chain management to empowering the next generation of aviation professionals, this episode is packed with insights on building resilient operations and putting customers at the center of every decision.

Whether you're on the hangar floor or in the boardroom, this conversation offers valuable lessons for navigating change, embracing technology, and driving career growth across aviation.

We want to hear from you! – [email protected]
Need help with your Bell helicopter? – [email protected]

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In part two of this special collaborative episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, we continue our conversation with the Valor Flight Crew Podcast team to bring you a unique perspective from the front lines of helicopter air ambulance operations.

This episode features Vertical MRO co-host and experienced maintainer Faith Ortega, who shares her journey working in general aviation and now supporting critical EMS missions. Interviewed by Valor Flight Crew hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider, Faith offers a candid, technical, and insightful look into what it takes to keep aircraft safe, reliable, and ready—especially in high-pressure, life-saving environments where time is critical.

The conversation explores everything from preventative maintenance and emergency repairs to the vital communication flow between mechanics, pilots, and medical crews. Faith also discusses her work mentoring the next generation of maintainers—particularly those transitioning from military to civilian roles—and reflects on how evolving technology is shaping the future of aviation maintenance.

Whether you're turning wrenches or turning rotors, this episode bridges the worlds of flight operations and aircraft support, and is a must-listen for anyone passionate about safety, teamwork, and mission readiness in the helicopter industry.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Rotorcraft Support Inc and Airbus.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this special collaborative episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, we team up with our colleagues at the Valor Flight Crew Podcast to bring you a unique perspective from the front lines of helicopter air ambulance operations.

This episode features Vertical MRO co-host and experienced maintainer Faith Ortega, who shares her journey working in general aviation and now supporting critical EMS missions. Interviewed by Valor Flight Crew hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider, Faith offers a candid, technical, and insightful look into what it takes to keep aircraft safe, reliable, and ready—especially in high-pressure, life-saving environments where time is critical.

The conversation explores everything from preventative maintenance and emergency repairs to the vital communication flow between mechanics, pilots, and medical crews. Faith also discusses her work mentoring the next generation of maintainers—particularly those transitioning from military to civilian roles—and reflects on how evolving technology is shaping the future of aviation maintenance.

Whether you're turning wrenches or turning rotors, this episode bridges the worlds of flight operations and aircraft support, and is a must-listen for anyone passionate about safety, teamwork, and mission readiness in the helicopter industry.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Precision Aviation Group, Rotorcraft Repair & Manufacturing and Robinson.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Magazine.

In this episode of the Vertical MRO podcast, host Jon Gray discusses the significance of the upcoming Vertical MRO conferences. Joined by industry leaders and supporters of the Vertical MRO Conference, the conversation covers the importance of networking, education, leadership, and the challenges of recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.

The panelists share their insights on how the Vertical MRO Conference aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and encourage participation from all facets of the MRO community.

Exciting news! Registration is now open for the Vertical MRO Conference, which will take place from October 7-9 at the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, British Columbia, and again from November 10-12 at the Irving Convention Center in Irving, Texas.

For more information about the Vertical MRO Conference, including registration details and the agenda, visit our website at verticalmro.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow within the MRO community!

Thank you to our panelists:
Ketan Desai - PAG, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Jeff Denomme - Alpine Aerotech, President
Michael Bucari - Leonardo, Head of Marketing Americas