The Vertical MRO Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries sit down with Jamie Wood, the CEO and Founder of the bio-technology platform Autonomic.

Jamie is changing the way people think and learn about their brains. Through neuroscience based products and cutting edge technologies, her mission is to elevate human potential by bringing personalized brain health solutions to the masses. 

During the conversation we explore the critical role of cognitive performance in aviation maintenance and operations. Jamie shares her work with aviation maintenance colleges and organizations, where she has built effective programs to help address burnout and improve focus and mental sharpness. 

Together, we unpack how fatigue, hydration, nutrition, and sleep directly affect safety and high performance in the hangar and beyond.

This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about human performance, aviation safety, and creating an environment that empowers teams to thrive.

Jamie’s work focuses on supporting driven individuals in high-demand environments that rely heavily on their cognitive abilities, this includes helicopter maintainers, executives, leaders, employees, athletes, and students. 

Jamie is a speaker, mentor, brain performance expert, and researcher. Having bootstrapped her brain performance technology company and brought a scientifically proven cognitive enhancement solution to market, Jamie understands the unique demands placed upon the brains of highly driven individuals in high-performance environments. 

Jamie has worked with some of the most exciting up and coming leaders in tech, gaming, extraction, marketing, student organizations, and big data. Her workshops and training programs are in North America's VCs, Accelerators and Academic Institutions.

Jamie has led groundbreaking research studies looking at brain health in high-stress environments using Mobile EEG, and sits on the cutting edge of brain health technology working alongside world leading neuroscientists. She has worked with over 100 founders and is a sought after speaker for Fortune 500 companies and top tech conferences including the Vertical MRO Conference. 

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

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

In this two-part Vertical MRO Podcast series, hosts Jon Gray and Faith Ortega have an engaging conversation with Dale Neubauer, an airfame and powerplant (A&P) mechanic and CEO of HeliLadder; and Drew Benton Jr., owner of Helicopter Maintenance Solutions.

During the conversation, our guests explore their journeys in the helicopter community. They discuss the professional challenges faced by helicopter technicians, the importance of teamwork and communication, and the critical nature of ensuring aircraft are airworthy.

Dale talks about how his experiences in the helicopter air ambulance sector impacted his personal and professional life. He shares a personal story you won't want to miss that highlights the impact of maintenance on patient outcomes, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in the field.

Dale talks about the motivation for him and his wife and Susie to create and launch HeliLadder in 2015, starting from their garage with a shared vision to improve aircraft maintenance safety and efficiency. Dale’s 30 years of experience in aircraft maintenance provided the foundation for creating the world’s first modular and portable workstand. 

Driven by a passion for changing how maintenance is performed, Dale and Susie’s work at HeliLadder continues to prioritize safety, comfort, and quality. Dale’s background and commitment underscore the company’s mission to support safe, efficient, and reliable aircraft maintenance, making a tangible difference in the aviation industry through innovative solutions and unwavering dedication.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Airbus, Metro Aviation and Rotorcraft Repair & Manufacturing.

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

In this episode, hosts Jon Gray and David Kreutzkamp sit down with MHM Publishing co-founder and co-publisher Linda Reyno, and Leslie Ferry, MHM Publishing’s event director, to give exciting updates on the Vertical MRO Conferences. These events are right around the corner, being held in Kelowna, British Columbia, at the KF Centre for Excellence from Oct. 7 to 9; and in Irving, Texas, at the Irving Convention Center, from Nov 10 to 12.

This is a conference, not a tradeshow. We are gathering this very important community from the helicopter industry to focus on education and networking. This is not about selling anything—it’s about promoting the rotorcraft  maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) community. 

During the recording we focus on updates surrounding the educational offerings, networking opportunities, and locations for the Vertical MRO Conference. 

We also have an opportunity to address the critical shortage of maintainers in the industry and emphasize the need for community engagement and participation to help inspire the next generation of helicopter maintenance professionals.

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

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 and co-host Leslie Ferry sit down with James Simmons, founder of Avolatus and a seasoned aviation professional. 

We explore his career journey in aviation and gather his insights into the rotorcraft maintenance industry. 

James shares his experiences from his military service to his current role in workforce development with Vertical Aviation International (VAI), highlighting the challenges and opportunities within the MRO sector. 

Learn about his contributions to the Vertical MRO Conference and his passion for fostering new talent in aviation. 

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of aviation maintenance and the pivotal role of leadership and training.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Rotorcraft Support Inc, Robinson Helicopter and Heliladder.

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 and co-host Leslie Ferry sit down with James Simmons, founder of Avolatus and a seasoned aviation professional. 

We explore his career journey in aviation and gather his insights into the rotorcraft maintenance industry. 

James shares his experiences from his military service to his current role in workforce development with Vertical Aviation International (VAI), highlighting the challenges and opportunities within the MRO sector. 

Learn about his contributions to the Vertical MRO Conference and his passion for fostering new talent in aviation. 

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of aviation maintenance and the pivotal role of leadership and training.

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

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

In this two part series of the Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries have a discussion with Jon Dillenberg, director at the Thrust Institute of Maintenance.

During this conversation, we dive into the critical challenges and exciting opportunities in recruiting and shaping the next generation of talent in the aviation industry.

Jon talks about the Thrust Institute’s innovative training approaches. We discuss leveraging social media and partnerships with high school STEM programs like Rising Aviation High School, to engage youth and promote aviation careers.

We explore the evolving landscape of technical training, the importance of adaptability with new technologies like AI, and the need for smarter aircraft design focused on maintainability to ensure a sustainable future. 

Join us as we discuss the future of aircraft maintenance, how to attract new talent, and how industry-wide shifts can shape the next era of rotorcraft aviation.

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

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

In this two part series of the Vertical MRO Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Ronnie Ries have a discussion with Jon Dillenberg, director at the Thrust Institute of Maintenance.

During this conversation, we dive into the critical challenges and exciting opportunities in recruiting and shaping the next generation of talent in the aviation industry.

Jon talks about the Thrust Institute’s innovative training approaches. We discuss leveraging social media and partnerships with high school STEM programs like Rising Aviation High School, to engage youth and promote aviation careers.

We explore the evolving landscape of technical training, the importance of adaptability with new technologies like AI, and the need for smarter aircraft design focused on maintainability to ensure a sustainable future. 

Join us as we discuss the future of aircraft maintenance, how to attract new talent, and how industry-wide shifts can shape the next era of rotorcraft aviation.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Robinson Helicopter, Essential Turbines and Astronautics Corporation of America.

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 and co-host Howie Murray, sit down with Milton Geltz, managing director of Metro Aviation, to reflect on his remarkable 50-year career in aviation.

Milton began his journey in 1976 and has been with Metro since 1983, overseeing daily operations across flight, maintenance, completions, finance, sales, and marketing.

A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in professional aviation management, Milton also holds a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airframe and power plant certificate and is an FAA designated airworthiness representative for both maintenance and manufacturing.

He was honored with the 2007 Aviation Maintenance Technician Award by Helicopter Association International. Milton shares insights into the evolution of safety standards, the importance of training a skilled workforce, and how advanced data monitoring systems are transforming operational safety.

We also have an opportunity to discuss key challenges like recruitment and retention and highlight Metro Aviation’s ongoing commitment to excellence. Stay tuned for valuable insights into the future of rotorcraft maintenance and safety.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Airbus, Metro Aviation and Vertical MRO Conference.

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

In this special episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, host Jon Gray is joined by Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President of Customer Support and Services at Airbus Helicopters, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of rotorcraft support.

Romain shares the personal journey that led him through key leadership roles at Airbus Helicopters in Canada, North America, and now globally — a journey grounded in passion, purpose, and people.

Listeners will hear about:

• Leading through global crises and economic turbulence
• The cultural value of walking the hangar floor and meeting crews face-to-face
• Airbus’s global transformation strategy built on trust, performance, and sustainability
• Training innovation, workforce development, and the challenges of attracting the next generation

With more than 12,000 helicopters supported worldwide, Romain offers candid insight into the future of helicopter maintenance, MRO strategy, and the critical partnerships that keep rotorcraft flying safely and efficiently.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about leadership, aviation, and the future of rotorcraft.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Airbus, SAFE Structure Designs and the Vertical MRO Conference. 

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 Seth Hardage, owner of Rotorcraft Repair and Manufacturing, to uncover the vital importance of preventative maintenance in aviation. Seth introduces their groundbreaking product, Dragon Skin Xtreme—an advanced rotor blade leading edge protective coating designed to combat erosion and corrosion.

Throughout the conversation, Seth shares his inspiring journey in the rotorcraft community, offering valuable insights into the differences between erosion and corrosion, and the impact of environmental factors on rotor blade lifespan. He also discusses the significance of strong leadership and cultivating a positive company culture in today’s industry.

Join us as we explore industry challenges such as recruitment and retention, and discover innovative solutions driving the future of rotorcraft maintenance.

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