Push to Talk with Bruce Webb: A Helicopter Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Jeff Trang is a lifelong test pilot. His flying played a part in certificating some of the most widely-flown airframes today. For several years, Jeff was my boss here at Airbus; today, he’s the head of the National Test Pilot School, a civilian test pilot training institute in the Mojave desert. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Jeff about his life, his work, and what it means to serve as a link between those who develop aircraft, and the pilots who fly them day-to-day.

Krista Haugen is the director of patient safety for Global Medical Response. While working as a flight nurse in 2005, Krista survived a helicopter crash; an experience that emboldened her to speak up. Today, Krista is a fierce advocate for all things human; from accident prevention, to stress management and trauma recovery, her compassionate insight is key in moving the air medical industry forward.

With the increased popularity of drones and UAVs, our airspace is only getting busier. Knowing this, how can pilots keep the highest level of awareness in a more crowded environment? 

Our guest today is Mike O’Donoghue. Mike is an aviation consultant based in the UK. With decades of experience as a pilot and examiner, Mike studies how emerging technologies can support the human element of aviation. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Mike about his research into electronic conspicuity — using new technologies to transmit and detect location in flight. How do EC systems give us a better picture of our surroundings in the air? What are the current limitations of these systems? And how can we best use them without neglecting our own instincts as aviators? 

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/