Episode #153 - Inside the MD Helicopters Revival with Ryan Weeks - The Helicopter Podcast - Part I
Send us a textWelcome 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!
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Episode #152 - Flying Tours to Fighting Fire: Tony Melendrez - The Helicopter Podcast - Part II
Send us a textWelcome 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!
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Episode #151 - Flying Tours to Fighting Fire: Tony Melendrez - The Helicopter Podcast - Part I
Send us a textWelcome 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!
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Episode #150 - From OCS to Helicopter CFI: Kelsey Hoogendoorn - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us a textWelcome 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!
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Episode #149 - Terry Palmer: Simulator Training Trailblazer - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us a textWelcome 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!
Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, with your host Halsey Schider!This podcast is for helicopter pilots, maintainers, and enthusiasts! Whether you've been in the industry for 30 years or are just someone that loves helicopters, this podcast is for you! The podcasts will feature guests from a wide array of industry sectors to have casual conversation, answer questions, give sound advice, and talk shop. Finally, a podcast produced by helicopter professionals for all types of helicopter people!
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