Push to Talk with Bruce Webb: A Helicopter Podcast

In this special episode of Push to Talk, I’m speaking with three remarkable women from across the helicopter industry as part of Women in Aviation Worldwide week. 

1) Stephanie Bell is the director of key accounts at Collins Aerospace. Raised by a father who built and flew experimental helicopters, Stephanie developed a love for engineering that she carries with her today. I’ll speak with Stephanie about the latest innovations at Collins, and the spirit of invention that has guided her life and career. 

2) Kim Hutchings trains members of high risk-industries how to better manage their stress. I’ll speak with Kim about ways pilots can practice mindfulness in their day-to-day operations. 

3) Mona Polson is an engineer at Bell. She found herself immersed in aviation at an early age, soloing a Stearman for the first time at 16. After her father survived a midair collision in that same plane, Mona was inspired to pursue a career in safety. I’ll speak with Mona about cultivating a diverse skillset, and how doing so has enriched her place in the industry. 

Those of us who have enjoyed a life in aviation need to face a simple truth; that all the safety knowledge in the world is useless if we don’t successfully pass it down. 

Our guest today is J Heffernan. J is a lifelong aviator with a wide variety of experience, from flying in presidential unit HMX-1, to working in safety roles at HAI, Sikorsky, and Air Evac Lifeteam. Since 2018, he’s helped run Helicopter Safety Alliance, an organization devoted to bringing SMS knowledge to small operators. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with J about the lessons he’s learned through his illustrious career. He’ll tell us about his roots in the military, and how they informed his approach to his civil career. J will recount an inadvertent IMC event he survived, and how it changed his perspective on safety. Then, we’ll speak about breaking down barriers; how competitors in the industry can work together to reduce accidents for all. 

And, much more. 

Bill Hopper is a  maintenance instructor at Air Evac Lifeteam, an EMS provider based in Missouri. With decades of experience as a pilot and maintainer, Bill spends his time moulding the next generation of aviation professionals.

In this conversation with Bill, we’ll examine an instructor’s relationship with their students. Bill will tell us about his approach to teaching, and the values he finds most important to instill in a fledgling aviator. We’ll talk about scenario-based training, and the vital role storytelling plays in the growth of a pilot. 

And, much more. 

Fred North has worked as a stunt pilot and aerial coordinator on some of highest-grossing films of the last twenty years. From Marvel, to James Bond, and Mission Impossible, his aerial performances have helped blockbuster movies bring to life their most thrilling moments. 

In this conversation with Fred, we’ll look at his unique profession from a pilot’s perspective. Fred will walk us through his process — from conceptualizing stunts, to selecting the right ship, to performing in the touch-and-go world of filmmaking. 

Fred's memoir "Flying Sideways" is available now at https://www.fred-north.com/

In this final installment, Bruce and Chris discuss ways pilots can prevent and recover from spatial disorientation during flight.

For more information, and for a full list of Helicopter Safety Enhancements, please visit https://ushst.org/h-se-details/

In this third episode, Bruce and Chris look at the science of aerodynamics and how to implement it during flight.

For more information, and for a full list of Helicopter Safety Enhancements, please visit https://ushst.org/h-se-details/

In this second episode, Bruce and Chris discuss how to manage risk during flight.

For more information, and for a full list of Helicopter Safety Enhancements, please visit https://ushst.org/h-se-details/

In this four part mini-series, Bruce Webb and Chris Baur are taking a deep-dive into four different safety enhancement concepts researched and published by the US Helicopter Safety Team. In this first episode, Bruce and Chris look at HSE 19A: Improving Safety Culture.

For more information, and for a full list of Helicopter Safety Enhancements, please visit https://ushst.org/h-se-details/

After a two-month hiatus, Push to Talk will return in January with a new batch of conversations featuring  more insightful figures across the world of aviation. 

Thierry Couderc is the Vice Chair of the European Helicopter Association. In this conversation, Thierry and I will speak about aviation regulation in a changing world. Theirrey will tell us about his work integrating drones into European airspace, and some of the challenges he’s faced doing so. 

We’ll speak about Bird Strikes vs Drone Strikes. What are the major differences between the two — and how can flight regulations better address these differences? 

Then, we’ll speak about safety advocacy; how despite the competitive nature of our industry, the goal of reducing accidents and saving lives should reach beyond make, model, and manufacturer. 

Joe Gonzalez  is an aviation instructor at Tarrant County College. In this conversation, we’ll examine the current state of aviation education. What new challenges do advancements in technology, such as ForeFlight, present to fledgling aviators? Joe will tell us about the landscape of the industry for new pilots, and why he believes that now is the perfect time to get a foot in the door. 

Tom Nef and Peter Anderson are pilots for  S.T.A.R.S. , an air ambulance organization providing care to rural, remote, and indigenous communicates across Western Canada. 

In this conversation, we’ll break down some of the technical aspects of flying in such a remote environment, and discuss the mental element of flying air ambulance; how a sense of community can give pilots relief  in emotionally challenging roles.  

In this episode of Push to Talk,  I’ll be looking back to my time flying helicopter relief in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. 

Joining me today is Retired Army Chief and Purple Heart recipient Frank Kanaka, who flew alongside me those five days. 

Frank and I will look back and delve into the devastation we witnessed, share our experience navigating city through our relief efforts, and reflect on the kindness and hospitality we received in the face of so much suffering. 

Faith Ortega is a Helicopter A&P Mechanic at Air Evac Lifeteam in St. Louis,  Missouri. Faith runs the popular “HowToHelicopter” Tiktok and Instagram accounts, where she provides viewers a look into the industry with career advice and day-in-the-life style content.

In this conversation with Faith, we’ll examine aviation outreach in today’s world.

Faith will break down the origins of HowToHelicopter; how the page she started as a fun pastime grew a following of over two hundred thousand people across her different platforms. 

We’ll learn about Faith’s personal backstory as a mechanic; and the philosophy she brings to her new role as industry ambassador.

Then, we’ll talk career paths. How an interested young person can get their foot in the door, and take their first steps toward changing our industry. 

And, much more.

Oliver is an experimental test pilot with Airbus. In this conversation with Olivier, we’ll explore his pivotal role in the development of the Airbus H160. 

Nataly Jahchan is a Human Factors and Ergonomics Specialist at Airbus. In her role, Nataly researches human behavior in aviation, and develops intuitive ways for people to work with the machines they operate. 

In this conversation with Nataly, we’ll examine the science of human factors. We’ll talk about the impact small details make in our comprehension. Why do we pay more attention to safety labels written in lowercase? And why are warning alerts more effective in a female voice? We’ll break down at the science of language — how errors in wording have led to disaster in flight, and how we can communicate better as a multi-lingual industry. 

Then, we’ll look to the future; how people like Nataly are changing the way we interact with our aircraft. 

Arnd Von-Fabeck is the head of aviation safety management and international network for Airbus. In this conversation with Arnd, we’ll look at SMS on a personal level. What internal roadblocks do aviators face that prevent them from speaking up about safety issues? We’ll examine how to better identify and communicate our own mistakes, and how to address the mistakes others make with grace and understanding. Then, we’ll look to the future; how we can take the lessons we learn within our personal bubbles, and use them to enrich the industry as a whole? 

In this conversation with Kayleigh Bowers, we'll examine  how the best way to solve problems in aviation is to listen to the different lived experiences of those around us. 

Kevin Humphreys is a helicopter pilot and mental health ambassador from Australia. During his service in the Australian army, Kevin fell victim to PTSD, anxiety and depression — ailments he buried deep inside himself until they culminated in a mental breakdown. With the help of those around him, Kevin was able to build himself back from his lowest point. Now, he hopes to use his experience to fight the stigma against mental illness and prove that struggles with anxiety and depression are not aberrations to be ashamed of, but natural forces to confront and manage.

In this conversation with Kevin, we’ll examine mental health in aviation. How can we find the vulnerability we need to address internal struggles in an industry that often rewards just “toughing it out?” Kevin will take us through his personal journey, the shame he felt at his breaking point, his  path to recovery, and how a character from a 1970’s sci-fi series gave him the strength to believe in himself again. 

Loreto Moraga has worked as an attorney specializing in aviation law for over 25 years. She serves as President of both the the Chilean Helicopter Association and the Chilean Space Association.

In this conversation with Loreto, we’ll examine aviation from a lawyer’s perspective. How can liability differences between commercial airline and helicopter flights affect the mindset of pilots? We’ll learn about Loreto’s legal background in Chile, and how working with the families of accident victims changed her approach to safety. Loreto will speak about her work in the Chilean Space Association, and break down the safety lessons pilots can draw from NASA’s Artemis program. And finally, we’ll look at the bigger picture; how the insight of non-aviators - minds like Loreto’s - might be just what we need to help prevent future accidents. 

This episode of “Push to Talk” examines a pilot’s relationship with Air Traffic Control. What common mistakes do we make when communicating with the tower? I spoke with Steve Phillips, an Air Traffic Controller of over forty years, to help demystify the voice in our headset. 

Del Livingston is the former Vice President of Flight Operations for Airbus Helicopters, and a veteran of the Vietnam war. In this, we’ll speak with Del about his background flying Dustoff operations in Vietnam, including a harrowing rescue mission, the result of which sent him home from combat a month early. Then, Dell will tell us about his transition into the civil world, and the difference in stakes between civil and military flight when it comes to aviation safety. 

Jessica Meiris is a pilot and rock climber from Colorado Springs. In 2014, she became the first woman in history to rope solo climb El Capitan in a single push.

Jessica experienced her first brush with helicopters when she was air-rescued after an accident climbing a rock tower in Red Rocks, Nevada - an event that would planet the seeds for a new chapter in her life.

Now in a second career as a helicopter pilot, Jessica hopes to one day fly for short haul rescue programs in U.S. national parks, and give back to the climbing community that shaped her. 

We’ll speak with Jessica about her transition to aviation from guiding adventure sports, the air rescue mission that opened her eyes to helicopter flight, the similarities between flying and rock climbing, her experience flying glacier tours in Alaska, and the importance of building relationships in aviation.

In this second installment of a two-part conversation, we'll speak with aviation photographer Jay Miller about attending Permian High School (the basis of Friday Night Lights), the process of handling proprietary information when publishing his books, and why he believes each person has a story worth telling. 

Jay Miller began his career as an aviation photojournalist in 1957 - he was just nine years old. Through the lens of a small Kodak Brownie pointed to the West Texas sky, Jay Miller built the foundation of a career that would lead him face-to-face with some of the most famous aviators in history. In that time, he’s cultivated an immense body of work that catalogs the story of aviation. 

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, we’ll speak with Jay about his early days photographing aircraft in Odessa, Texas. He’ll tell us how he came to know renowned aviators like Jimmy Doolittle and Eddy Rickenbacker, how he acquired the mach meter from the first manned flight to reach a speed of mach 3, and how a mistake made while photographing an air-to-air warhead led to an otherwise unattainable image.

Gary Maddux served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a stint in presidential squadron HMX-1. After losing his daughter to suicide in 2019, Gary has dedicated his life to mental health outreach and awareness. Now working to become a licensed counselor, Gary hopes to provide others with the insight he's wrestled from loss.  

Vicki Coates is the team lead of certification for the Helicopter and Agricultural branch of the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. We'll speak with Vicki about her roots in aviation (including a close call early in her career), helicopter operations in New Zealand, and how growing up on a farm prepared her for a career in the sky.

Hosted by Bruce Webb. Written, Edited, and Produced by Logan Evans. Artwork by Lou Kiss. 

Scott Boughton is the founder of Palisade Aviation, a Colorado-based company looking to refine flight training. We'll speak with Scott about his education philosophy, and how we can equip the next generation of pilots with the skills they need for success.

Hosted by Bruce Webb. Written, Edited, and Produced by Logan Evans. Intro Voiceover by Tamera Ankrah. Artwork by Lou Kiss. 

Ned Parks is a dual-rated flight instructor from Akron, Ohio. After being present during an accident resulting from helicopter wake turbulence, Ned has spent the last year researching the not-often-discussed phenomena. We'll speak with Ned about his research, and how the aviation world can move forward and spread awareness.

Hosted by Bruce Webb. Written, Edited, and Produced by Logan Evans. Intro Voiceover by Tamera Ankrah. Artwork by Lou Kiss. 

Since 1982, Tim Tucker has served as Chief Instructor at Robinson Helicopter. We’ll learn about Tim’s roots in aviation, defined by his stint in the Vietnam war. He’ll give us insight into his time at Robinson, and expand on a design principle unique to Robinson helicopters. And if we listen closely, some of Tim’s humble wisdom might stick with us, to be applied when we need it most.

Hosted by Bruce Webb. Written, Edited, and Produced by Logan Evans. Intro Voiceover by Tamera Ankrah. Artwork by Lou Kiss.