Welcome to The Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!


In this episode, Val Medved and Jon Gray get an opportunity to sit down with Maury Wood. 

In 1992, a move to St. Albert marked the start of new adventures for Wood and his family. From there, it was a whirlwind of after-school work at Avialta Helicopters under the wings of experienced engineers.

Summers were spent in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where he lent his skills to GSH, managing stores and ensuring smooth operations on the ground.

Fast forward to the late ’90s, and our hero embarked on an educational journey at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), diving into the world of Petroleum Engineering Tech.

But the call of the skies was too strong to resist. With Reeves Wireline in Whitecourt, Alberta, he logged open holes across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, experiencing the vastness of the Canadian landscape from above — and putting in some serious “bush” time.

Wood marked a pivotal moment in 2002 as he spread his wings at GSH flight school, soaring through the curriculum with flying colors and landing a job with a reputable company.

For the next decade, he navigated the skies as a line pilot and flight instructor, with a brief detour to Elbow River Heli in 2007 for a summer adventure.

Today, he continues to make waves at Avialta Helicopters, wearing multiple hats from customer support to accountable exec, boiler repair, groundskeeping, and even cooking up a storm, when needed.

Join us as we unravel the highs, the lows, and the breathtaking views in "The Helicopter Journey of Maury Wood.”

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

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS.

In this two-part interview, we're extremely excited to introduce Faith Ortega, a prominent figure in the maintenance technician community known to many through her social media platform, How to Helicopter.

Ortega's journey into aviation maintenance began at Southern Illinois University, renowned for its outstanding aviation program. There, she earned a bachelor of applied science degree in Aviation Technologies with a specialization in helicopters, which culminated in her A&P certification.

Ortega recently earned her Inspection Authorization (IA) certificate, granting her the authority to approve annual inspections and sign off on major repairs and alterations.

Ortega embarked on her career as an A&P at Helicopters Inc., where she immersed herself in the electronic news gathering (ENG) industry, gaining invaluable experience. Ortega later transitioned to the public safety aviation sector. She now serves as a helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) mechanic and instructor, contributing to critical missions that save lives.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Ortega is a passionate advocate for the maintenance technician community through her social media platform (How To Helicopter), where she highlights the vital work of technicians and actively engages in recruiting the next generation of talent.

Additionally, Ortega generously volunteers her time at Gateway Youth Foundation, nurturing aspiring aviators and young minds.

Join us as we delve into Ortega’s inspiring journey, her contributions to the maintenance technician field, and her dedication to shaping the future of aviation. This is Vertical MRO.

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

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS.

In this two-part interview, we're extremely excited to introduce Faith Ortega, a prominent figure in the maintenance technician community known to many through her social media platform, How to Helicopter.

Ortega's journey into aviation maintenance began at Southern Illinois University, renowned for its outstanding aviation program. There, she earned a bachelor of applied science degree in Aviation Technologies with a specialization in helicopters, which culminated in her A&P certification.

Ortega recently earned her Inspection Authorization (IA) certificate, granting her the authority to approve annual inspections and sign off on major repairs and alterations.

Ortega embarked on her career as an A&P at Helicopters Inc., where she immersed herself in the electronic news gathering (ENG) industry, gaining invaluable experience. Ortega later transitioned to the public safety aviation sector. She now serves as a helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) mechanic and instructor, contributing to critical missions that save lives.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Ortega is a passionate advocate for the maintenance technician community through her social media platform (How To Helicopter), where she highlights the vital work of technicians and actively engages in recruiting the next generation of talent.

Additionally, Ortega generously volunteers her time at Gateway Youth Foundation, nurturing aspiring aviators and young minds.

Join us as we delve into Ortega’s inspiring journey, her contributions to the maintenance technician field, and her dedication to shaping the future of aviation. This is Vertical MRO.

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

Welcome to The Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!

This will be another one of our Vertical Helicasts Mash-Up episodes with Halsey Schider from The Helicopter Podcast and Jason Quinn from the Real ResQ Podcast.

In this episode we introduce our newest Vertical host, Val Medved, who will be hosting the new Vertical MRO Podcast—the first episode drops today.

The Vertical MRO Podcast explores the world of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul. The episodes feature helicopter technicians, mechanics engineers, and MRO experts who will share valuable industry insight, knowledge and stories that will inspire current and aspiring industry maintainers.

This podcast will be available on all the major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

To find out more about the Vertical MRO Podcast go to VerticalHelicasts.com.

This is the official trailer for the MRO Podcast which will be brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS.

The Vertical MRO Podcast will explore the world of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul with your host Val Medved.

The episodes  will feature helicopter technicians, mechanics engineers, and MRO experts who will share invaluable industry insight, knowledge and stories that will inspire current and aspiring industry maintainers. 

This podcast will be available on all the major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

To find out more about the Vertical MRO Podcast go to Vertical HeliCASTS.com.