Explore every episode of the podcast Push to Talk with Bruce Webb: A Helicopter Podcast

Charis Work is an SMS expert from New Zealand. Working in the country with the highest number of helicopters-per-capita, Charis knows how to tailor a safety system around the actual people it serves. In this conversation, I’ll speak with Charis about crafting SMS that makes us both safe and unencumbered.

Each year more than half a million patients in the US are transported by air ambulance. EMS flight teams face the unique challenge of navigating the inherent risks of flight with the added stresses that come with emergency care. So how can we provide them the safest environment possible to deliver their critical services?

Paul Ward is the assistant vice president of safety programs at Intermountain Health. As a former medic and lifelong student of industrial organization, Paul works to optimize safety for medical transport teams, and take better care of the people who take care of us.

Ashlyn Carter is a systems safety and mission assurance expert at Boeing. With a masters in industrial organizational psychology, and prior experience with Airbus and CAMI, she’s is a sterling example of the rising generation of human factors experts who are poised to take on the challenges of our rapidly-changing world.

Eoin Walker is the HEMS segment promoter for Airbus, and host of The Pre-Hospital Care Podcast. With years of experience as a flight paramedic, Eoin has seen firsthand how good communication cools even the most heated scenarios.

In this conversation, Eoin will let us in on how he’s been able to harness his communication through his life and career, and what we can do to follow suit. How we can "be the thermostat, not the thermometer."

Adam Bernhardt is the Head of Safety and Well-Being for Airbus in the Asia-Pacific region, an area that covers more twelve countries including Australia, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia. Adam understands the subtle touch needed to advocate for safety across such a diverse region. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Adam about the ways he works across nations and cultures that may have differing — and even contrasting — views of safety, and how the lessons he’s learned from doing so might translate to our own individual lives.

In a little over one week from recording this episode, VAI’s VERTICON is set to take place in Atlanta, GA. Pilots, mechanics, instructors, operators, manufacturers, and more will converge in one place to celebrate the state of vertical aviation…and to deliberate on its future as we enter the middle part of this century. 

Joining me in this episode is François Lassale, the new President and CEO of VAI. In this lead-up to his first VERTICON as CEO,  I’ll speak with Francois about his vision for the industry and how he plans to guide us there. 

Dr. Roni Avissar is an atmospheric scientist, helicopter pilot, and professor at the University of Miami. His research is crucial to the modern field of weather analysis. In a unique twist on the role weather plays in aviation, Roni conducts his field research using a specially-equipped helicopter, often flying extremely low to the surface to collect data. His work has been funded by NASA, NOAA, and the US Departments of Energy and Agriculture, among others.

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Roni about the turbulent world of weather forecasting, and our relationship as pilots to the natural world around us.

Jesse Munns has flown helicopters for almost twenty years, doing everything from offshore to EMS. Some time ago, Jesse began experiencing a heavy strain in his personal life; after pushing himself past his limit, Jesse made a rare but commendable decision — he voluntarily relinquished his medical certificate. He had the awareness to know that he was putting himself and others at risk.

In this episode, I’ll speak with Jesse about the lessons we can draw from his circumstance, and what a road back to flying might look like for himself and others in his shoes.

Wendell Dunaway is a former training manager at Safran, where he oversaw the education of hundreds of technicians each year. Wendell knows firsthand how community can nurture skills and build understanding.

In this conversation, Wendell will explain how the guidance of five life coaches — five mentors designated to five different areas of his life — has kept him from stagnating, and how we can relate that practice to our own lives and careers.

A native of the Swiss Alps, Simon Wittinger is the author of The Mountain Flying Handbook. First published in 2020, the book is a comprehensive guide to operating at high altitude. It’s been praised by the helicopter community at large, and even been endorsed by EASA. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Simon about the process of writing the book. He’ll take us inside his experience as a mountain pilot, explain some common errors people make when flying in the mountains, and much more.

Access to the mountain flying handbook: https://manual.sha-swiss.ch/en/mountain-handbook-reading-sample/inhaltsverzeichnis

Website Swiss Helicopter Association: https://www.sha-swiss.ch/de/index.html

Since 1998, Maurice Sabourin has been a part of an elite team specializing in the repair of aircraft blades at Airbus. Their work falls somewhere between the skill of a mechanic and the finesse of an artist.

In this episode, Maurice will give us an inside look at the work of a blade tech. We’ll follow the process of blade repair, from it’s initial damage to it’s return to service. We’ll learn technical insight, like the difference between working on a metal blade vs a composite blade. And finally, Maurice will give his advice on how to better maintain our blades as aviators. 

From lead-acid, to NICAD, and lithium-ion, the evolution of aircraft batteries has always been a balancing act of weight, power and reliability. Getting that balance right is essential.

Today, I’m speaking with Chris Holder of Concorde Battery about the work their company is doing to provide dependable power to the industry.  We’ll look at the development of aircraft batteries over time, common misconceptions about batteries, the future of power in aviation, and much more.

Dwight Robinson is the deputy chief pilot of flight testing at Airbus. Last year, his flying career was almost cut short when he was hospitalized with Atrial Fibrillation. But despite losing his medical, and battling the effects of his condition, Dwight made a decision. One way or another, he told himself, he was going to fly again. 

Against all odds, he did just that. In roughly a year, Dwight was back to flying, with no further heart complications. His story exemplifies a spirit of of perseverance and self-advocacy from which we can learn.

Last March, the US Helicopter Safety Team launched their Peer Pilot Program — an online resource for pilots to seek help with the inner turbulence they might face. Through the program, users can speak with a trained industry “peer” who will listen to the user, and guide them through their concern — personal, professional, and otherwise. These sessions are free, and completely confidential. 

In this episode, I’m speaking with Chris Baur — industry co-chair of the USHST — about launching the new program, and why mental health might be the most urgent, yet overlooked, issue in aviation.

Dr. Ivan Pupulidy is an expert on safety in complex systems and high risk environments. He’s been a featured speaker for TEDx, and his new book “Human Organization And Potential” has been called “a roadmap toward a new era in workplace safety.”

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Dr. Pupulidy about aviation safety reform; how we can can discard the ideas that have been holding us back, and empower pilots with the skills to think on their feet. 

Carl Ockier is the senior expert for flight test engineering at Airbus. Over the last 25 years, Carl has been instrumental in developing some of the most iconic Airbus helicopters, including the H145 and H135.

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Carl about his work engineering aircraft; from the nitty-gritty technical details, to his larger ideas about humans and our relationship to the machines we fly. 

Nick Sinopoli is the creator ICARUS, a smart view limiting device that is revolutionizing IFR training. With a screen visor mounted to a hat or helmet, ICARUS allows its user to seamlessly move between levels of visibility, with a peripheral range not possible with earlier training tools.

I spoke with Nick about ICARUS, and why it’s making such an impact in the industry…but I was just as interested in his story — how a pilot at his lowest point channeled frustration into innovation. 

Unintended flight into IMC is one of the most severe risks we face as pilots. If you haven't been there, it's a hard thing to fathom — flying into the clouds, quickly losing all orientation. 

Our guest today is John Roberts. John is the Senior Training Manager at the Transportation Safety Institute. In a previous career, John flew helicopters in the army, where he retired with the rank of CW 5. 

In this episode, John will tell the story of a UIMC event he survived while flying in the army. What was his thought process as he entered the clouds? And what decisions were key to his survival? 

Also — we'll speak with John about his current work at TSI, the evolution of UIMC training equipment, and much more. 

This is the fourth and final episode of our mini-series on Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow. In it, we focus on his insights into human behavior and how we can apply them to aviation. We'll discuss anchoring and "the possibility effect" — how we undervalue likely outcomes while overvaluing unlikely ones.

This is the third part of our series exploring the work of psychologist Daniel Kahneman, and how it relates to aviation. In this episode, we’re looking at cognitive ease and our tendency to mistake correlation for causation.

This is the second part of our series exploring the work of psychologist Daniel Kahneman, and how it relates to aviation. In Episode 1, we laid the groundwork by introducing our two modes of thought: System 1 — the fast, instinctive system — and System 2 — the slow, logical one. Today, we’re looking at heuristics; the mental shortcuts our minds use to make quick decisions.

There has been perhaps no greater influence on my views of human behavior than Daniel Kahneman’s 2011 book, Thinking Fast And Slow. In the book, Kahneman — a psychologist — makes the case that human behavior is driven by the interplay of two differing modes of thought: System 1 — the fast, instinctive system — and System 2 — the slow, logical one.

If you’ve listened to this podcast, you’ve almost certainly heard me reference this book. I believe that understanding Kahneman will help us better diagnose the problems we face as pilots. 

And so, for the next four episodes, released each Thursday over the next four weeks, I’m going straight to the source — exploring Kahneman’s book and directly relating his ideas to aviation. 

Larry Chappell knows more about classic Airbus helicopters than perhaps anyone alive today. 

Having started with the company in 1983 — before MBB merged with Areospatiale to create Eurocopter — Larry has a remarkable amount of insight about helicopters, and how they work. 

In this episode, Larry will give us an overview of his extraordinary career, from flying in the the deserts of Iran to the Amazon rainforest. 

We’ll take a look at the early history and development of the BK117, and why that specific airframe has stood the test of time. 

Then, later in the episode, Larry will recount a harrowing experience of his that occurred while flying in Peru…a story that — when I first heard it — shaped my outlook on safety…and may have saved my life. 

As aviation propels into the second quarter of this century, we’re learning more than ever that the best aircraft designs consider the humanity of aviators — their strengths, their shortcomings…their very nature. 

Raphael Paquin and Fabien Bernard are experts in human factors engineering. They work together at Airbus in France, where they find new ways to bring flying closer to the human experience. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Raphael and Fabien about their work. We’ll look at all things human factors, from the emerging use of augmented reality in maintenance, to the century-old method Japanese metro workers use to increase safety by 84%. And much more. 

Seth Buttner has investigated over 400 accidents in a career spanning 30 years. Formerly with Cessna, Seth works today as the senior investigator for Airbus Helicopters.

In this conversation, Seth will trace his career back to the start. How did a boy piecing together a model airplane in his father’s office go on to work accident cases in Chile, Russia, and beyond? Also, we'll talk about the surreal nature of accident sites, what it takes to be a successful investigator, and much more. 

In this solo episode, I'm looking back in history to the first fatal heavier-than-air accident, and the insights we can draw from Orville Wright and the death of Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge. Along the way, I’ll look at a few other historical accidents, and how they might apply to those of us flying today. 

Perhaps you’ve been here before — flying, not long after takeoff, when you encounter low ceilings. Before departure, your weather app indicated everything was clear...You may have just become a a victim of Green Dot Syndrome, according to our guest today. 

Matt Johnson flies for Metro Aviation, at an air ambulance program based in Southwestern Ohio. An accomplished pilot and pilot examiner, Matt is one of the industry’s most forward-thinkers when it comes to our working relationship with weather. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Matt about Green Dot Syndrome, and the steps we can take to prevent it. Also, Matt will tell us about his work as an examiner, and how the recently adopted airman’s certification standards are changing testing in the US. 

Lindsay Cunningham is a former accident investigator for Airbus. Today, she works as Managing Director for Helisim in the United States, where she facilitates the cutting-edge of simulation training. In this conversation, I’ll speak with Lindsey about the psychology of accident investigation; how to avoid false starts and misleading conclusions.

Rusty Sloane is a lecturer at Baylor University’s aviation program, where he prepares student pilots for careers in the airlines. A former coast guard helicopter pilot, Rusty spent several years flying with me here at Airbus. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Rusty about finding one's place as a pilot, a student, a leader, and everything in-between. We’ll look at the truth behind the pilot shortage, the importance of camaraderie, and much more.

Chris Baur (US Helicopter Safety Team) returns to the show to speak about the power of volunteer work in aviation — how we can take the lessons we’ve learned at any level of experience, use them to enrich the lives of others, and, in doing so, enrich our own lives as well. 

Perhaps nothing today exemplifies the strides our industry is making more than the Airbus RACER , an experimental compound helicopter that made its first flight in April of this year. With reported ability to reach unprecedented speeds while maintaining groundbreaking efficiency, RACER is changing aviation as we know it.

As the chief test pilot for Airbus, Herve Jammyrac is front and center in the development of the RACER. In this conversation, I’ll speak with Herve about his work as a test pilot, his experience on the RACER program, and the exciting things just around the corner of our industry. 

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.

1. Act safely, even when no one is watching. 
 2. Accept that it could happen to you 
 3. Always follow the rules
 4. Abide by personal minimums 
 5. Always steady, never impulsive 
 6. Own the outcome and speak up 
 7. Never cut corners 
 8. Never say "Hey, watch this!"
 9. Regularly use simulated training environments  
 10. Believe that zero fatal accidents is achievable 
 
 Nick Mayhew is a pilot and instructor of nearly five decades. From serving as an officer in the UK’s Royal Navy, to managing training programs at Bristow Academy, Nick understands the habits that shape a successful aviator. 

In this conversation, Nick will guide us through his cleverly named “Enjoy Retirement” checklist — a set of ten rules that, if followed, secure a pilot’s best chance of a long career. 

Eleonora Avi is an aviation psychologist based in Italy. The same year Eleanora earned her degree in psychology, her mother was rescued by a Helicopter Air Ambulance — an event that inspired Eleonora to give back to the industry by helping pilots understand the inner-workings of their minds. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Eleanora about her unique and fascinating field; how can we recognize what drives our bodies to act, and use it to be more conscious aviators? 

Frank Kanauka is a helicopter pilot and former army aviator.  In this conversation, Frank and I will discuss his early training in the Warrant Officer program during the Vietnam War, and the events leading up to his survival of a mid-air collision in Cambodia. 

Personal and private flights account for the largest percentage of helicopter accidents — despite making up just 3% of hours flown. So how can we fix this?

Our guests today are Scott Tyrell — a former FAA accident investigator — and Arvid Albanese — a business owner and private pilot. As co-sponsors of the personal/private segment of the US Helicopter Safety Team, Scott and Arvid promote safety ideas for those pilots who might not have easy access to the learning resources other sectors of the industry do.

In this conversation, Scott, Arvid and I will take a look behind the personal/private accident rate — why is it higher than other areas of the industry, and what philosophies can personal/private pilots apply to their flying to maximize safety? 

Update:

In this episode, Bruce briefly discusses his friend and IndyCar driver, Dario Franchitti. In the discussion, Bruce explains the reason Dario, who was a licensed helicopter pilot, chose to sell his helicopter after his friend Colin McCray was killed in a helicopter crash. Bruce incorrectly stated that the crash occurred because McCray was “flying in horrible weather trying to maintain VFR in hard IMC conditions.” A listener in the UK contacted us, providing the correct reason McCray crashed. The AAIB report indicates that McCray was flying low level, at high rates of speed, while executing steep turns. Complete details may be found at: Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel AAIB Accident Report

Chris Hill is the senior director of safety for Vertical Aviation International — formerly, HAI. In his role, Chris seeks out new ways to promote and adhere to safety culture. 

In this conversation, Chris and I will examine the importance of open dialogue in safety; why we should feel motivated to share the lessons we’ve learned from our shortcomings, and withhold judgement from others doing the same. 

Chris Baur of Hughes Aerospace returns to the show to tell us about The Hughes App, a new all-in-one flight aid, complete with maps, charts, camera feeds, weather data, risk assessment functions, and many more flight supplements. 

Alida Soemawinata is a helicopter pilot from Australia. In her current position, Alida flies medical services in Borneo, delivering doctors, supplies, and other aid to remote villages across the island. 

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Alida about her career and outlook on aviation. She’ll talk about her operations in Borneo, including her experience flying the the Bo 105. We’ll look at the rich history of that airframe, and why it’s endured so many years. Then, we’ll speak about the role versatility plays in a pilot’s success; how chasing new experiences can only make us more confident aviators. 

Marcus Bauer is a pioneer of accident reconstruction — using a painstaking process, Marcus builds virtual recreations of accidents, down to the most crucial details. His work has helped international authorities, manufacturers, and operators, identify the root cause of accidents, so they might prevent similar ones in the future

In this conversation, I’ll speak with Marcus about his unique line of work. We’ll delve into his process, from gathering eyewitnesses testimony, to analyzing video, and building the final accident reconstruction. 

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/

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/