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The Vertical MRO Podcast

Vertical HeliCASTS

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, where we explore the fascinating world of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Our episodes feature MRO experts who share invaluable tribal knowledge and stories that are sure to inspire current and aspiring industry maintainers. 

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  • 32 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 51 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • #118
    Tuesday · 49 min

    Episode 118: Turning Aircraft Problems Into Engineered Solutions | Ryan Hader - Part I

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In Part One of this two-part conversation, Vertical MRO host David Kreutzkamp and co-host Howie Murray sit down with Ryan Hader, founder of iAERO, to talk about the experiences that shaped his approach to aircraft maintenance, engineering, and modification. Ryan traces his path from a lifelong interest in building and tinkering through hands-on aircraft maintenance and increasingly complex modification work. Those experiences eventually exposed gaps between what operators needed from their aircraft and the solutions readily available to them, helping lead to the creation of iAERO. The conversation also takes a detour into 3D printing and scanning, with Ryan and Howie exploring how increasingly accessible technology can help solve real-world problems in the hangar and support the development of new aircraft solutions. Throughout the discussion, Ryan shares the value of combining hands-on maintenance experience with engineering and certification knowledge—and why understanding how an aircraft is actually operated matters when developing a modification. Part Two takes that conversation deeper into the world of STCs, including why even seemingly simple aircraft modifications can become complex certification projects. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Precision Aviation Group and Vertical Aviation International. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

    • Transcript
  • #117
    October 4 · 37 min

    Episode 117: What to Expect at the 2026 Vertical MRO Conference in Kelowna

    The Vertical MRO Conference kicks off tomorrow in Kelowna, British Columbia, and we're getting the crew together for a quick look at what's ahead. David Kreutzkamp is joined by Mike and Linda Reyno, Jon Gray, and Maddy Reyno to talk about what attendees can expect—from expanded technical education and hands-on training to leadership development, workforce initiatives, students, exhibitors, and aircraft on site at the KF Centre for Excellence. Whether you're travelling to Kelowna, arriving today, or following along from home, consider this your welcome to the 2026 Vertical MRO Conference—and a preview of what the MRO and HeliCASTS teams have planned throughout the show. And for our Irving community, don't worry—we'll be back with a special preview ahead of the Nov. 16–18 conference in Texas. Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Robinson Helicopter and Airbus.

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  • #116
    October 1 · 1 hr 5 min

    Why Quality Maintenance Protects Aircraft Value | Joe LaRue - Episode 116

    This special crossover episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast comes from our sister show, The Helicopter Podcast, bringing an operator-focused conversation directly to the maintenance community. Recorded at VERTICON 2026, The Helicopter Podcast host Halsey Schider sits down with Joe LaRue of Prairie Air to discuss his path through aviation and the role quality maintenance has played in building a business focused on Robinson helicopter operations and support. Joe shares why good maintenance goes beyond keeping an aircraft serviceable. The conversation explores record-keeping, long-term aircraft support, and how the quality of work performed throughout a helicopter's life can directly affect safety, reliability and aircraft value. Joe and Halsey also look at one of the industry's biggest challenges: developing the next generation of pilots and maintainers. Joe discusses Prairie Air's work with local schools and community programs, why exposing young people to aviation matters, and what the industry can do to create clearer pathways into these careers. The conversation rounds out with a look toward emerging technologies, including autonomous aircraft, and where new tools may fit alongside the people and skills that keep today's helicopter industry moving. Originally recorded for The Helicopter Podcast, we're sharing this conversation with the Vertical MRO audience because Joe's perspective on maintenance, workforce development and long-term aircraft support is equally at home in the MRO community. Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Robinson Helicopter, Precision Aviation Group and Airbus

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  • September 30 · 46 min

    Bell Tech Talk Ep #13: Bell 505 Maintenance - Live Mounts, Rotor Track & Balance and More

    Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell. In this episode of Bell Tech Talk, Vertical MRO's David Kreutzkamp is joined by Bell customer support engineers Eric Parent and Jason Estaphan for a deep dive into common Bell 505 maintenance questions coming from the field. Eric and Jason share practical guidance on servicing the Bell 505 live mount system, hydraulic pump drive shaft and NR pickup troubleshooting, differences maintainers should know between the Garmin G1000 NXi and earlier systems, and techniques for more efficient rotor track and balance. Along the way, they highlight procedural updates, common troubleshooting considerations, and lessons from Bell's field support teams that can help maintainers diagnose problems and keep the 505 performing as designed. We want to hear from you! – techtalk@bellflight.com Need help with your Bell helicopter? Email us at productsupport@bellflight.com or visit https://www.bellflight.com/support/commercial.

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  • #116
    September 28 · 1 hr 3 min

    Episode 116: Why Quality Maintenance Protects Aircraft Value | Joe LaRue

    This special crossover episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast comes from our sister show, The Helicopter Podcast, bringing an operator-focused conversation directly to the maintenance community. Recorded at VERTICON 2026, The Helicopter Podcast host Halsey Schider sits down with Joe LaRue of Prairie Air to discuss his path through aviation and the role quality maintenance has played in building a business focused on Robinson helicopter operations and support. Joe shares why good maintenance goes beyond keeping an aircraft serviceable. The conversation explores record-keeping, long-term aircraft support, and how the quality of work performed throughout a helicopter's life can directly affect safety, reliability and aircraft value. Joe and Halsey also look at one of the industry's biggest challenges: developing the next generation of pilots and maintainers. Joe discusses Prairie Air's work with local schools and community programs, why exposing young people to aviation matters, and what the industry can do to create clearer pathways into these careers. The conversation rounds out with a look toward emerging technologies, including autonomous aircraft, and where new tools may fit alongside the people and skills that keep today's helicopter industry moving. Originally recorded for The Helicopter Podcast, we're sharing this conversation with the Vertical MRO audience because Joe's perspective on maintenance, workforce development and long-term aircraft support is equally at home in the MRO community. Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Robinson Helicopter, Precision Aviation Group, Airbus.

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  • #115
    September 21 · 48 min

    Episode 115: Human Factors, Mentorship and the Future of Maintenance | Anneke Tucker - Part II

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In this episode of Vertical MRO, hosts David Kreutzkamp and Scott Hayward are joined by Anneke Tucker of Attain Aviation for a conversation about human factors, leadership, mentorship, and building stronger maintenance organizations. Anneke shares her unconventional path into aviation, from serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and working on CH-53 helicopters to a career spanning aircraft maintenance, quality systems, and aviation consulting. That experience provides the foundation for a broader discussion about why human factors go well beyond simply recognizing the Dirty Dozen. Together, Anneke, Scott, and David explore the role leadership and organizational culture play in reducing human factors risks, the value of mentorship and knowledge transfer, and the challenge of preserving decades of experience as senior maintainers leave the workforce. The conversation also looks ahead to the next generation, including why the industry needs to introduce young people to maintenance careers earlier and provide meaningful hands-on opportunities that show them what working in aviation can actually look like. Anneke will continue the conversation as a speaker at the 2026 Vertical MRO Conference, bringing practical lessons in human factors directly to the maintenance community. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Alpine Aerotech and Metro Aviation. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  • #114
    September 14 · 46 min

    Episode 114: Human Factors, Mentorship and the Future of Maintenance | Anneke Tucker - Part I

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In this episode of Vertical MRO, hosts David Kreutzkamp and Scott Hayward are joined by Anneke Tucker of Attain Aviation for a conversation about human factors, leadership, mentorship, and building stronger maintenance organizations. Anneke shares her unconventional path into aviation, from serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and working on CH-53 helicopters to a career spanning aircraft maintenance, quality systems, and aviation consulting. That experience provides the foundation for a broader discussion about why human factors go well beyond simply recognizing the Dirty Dozen. Together, Anneke, Scott, and David explore the role leadership and organizational culture play in reducing human factors risks, the value of mentorship and knowledge transfer, and the challenge of preserving decades of experience as senior maintainers leave the workforce. The conversation also looks ahead to the next generation, including why the industry needs to introduce young people to maintenance careers earlier and provide meaningful hands-on opportunities that show them what working in aviation can actually look like. Anneke will continue the conversation as a speaker at the 2026 Vertical MRO Conference, bringing practical lessons in human factors directly to the maintenance community. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Part 1 - Precision Aviation Group and Rotorcraft Support, Inc. Part 2- Alpine Aerotech and Metro Aviation Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  • #113
    September 7 · 1 hr 1 min

    Episode 113: Wildfires, Black Hawks & Maintenance Safety | MRO Roundtable

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus The Vertical MRO crew gets together for the first MRO Roundtable — a new recurring conversation bringing the hosts together to catch up, discuss current helicopter industry news, and look at what's ahead for the maintenance community. David Kreutzkamp is joined by Jon Gray, Ronnie Ries, and returning MRO host Val Medved for a wide-ranging discussion that starts with one of the busiest wildfire seasons in recent memory. The group talks about the demands being placed on operators across Canada, the U.S. and beyond, along with developments surrounding restricted-category aircraft and their growing role in aerial firefighting. The conversation then turns to maintenance safety and lessons from a Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation into a fatal helicopter ground-run accident. Rather than assigning blame, the group considers what the industry can learn about distraction, complacency, checklist discipline, communication, and the human factors that can turn routine work into a serious risk. The crew also catches up on what's happening across the industry, workforce and leadership development, and what listeners can expect at the upcoming Vertical MRO Conferences. It's news, lessons learned, a little shop talk, and plenty of opinions from around the Vertical MRO table. Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Rotorcraft Support Inc and Alpine Aerotech. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  • #12
    August 31 · 47 min

    Vertical MRO Tech Talk by Bell – Episode #12: Autopilot Part II - Bell 407 Focus

    Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell. In this episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell, host Jon Gray continues the conversation on autopilot systems with Dawn Lehto and Tad Morley. This time, focusing on the Bell 407 Autopilot Flight Control System (AFCS) discussion. Building on the system overview from Part I, the team takes a deeper dive into troubleshooting common autopilot issues and understanding how the system behaves in real-world operations. Drawing on their experience supporting operators in the field, Dawn and Tad explain how technicians and pilots can better diagnose AFCS faults by understanding system behavior, reviewing fault codes, and following proper maintenance procedures. The discussion explores topics such as autopilot degrade messages, common causes of iBit test failures, and how environmental factors can sometimes impact system performance. The team also walks through practical troubleshooting steps and highlights the importance of correct balance spring adjustments and proper aircraft configuration when diagnosing autopilot issues. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize how careful adherence to the flight manual supplement and maintenance documentation helps prevent many of the common problems operators encounter. With a focus on practical insights and real-world examples, this episode provides valuable guidance for technicians, pilots, and operators working with the Bell 407 AFCS system. We want to hear from you! – techtalk@bellflight.com Need help with your Bell helicopter? Email us at productsupport@bellflight.com or visit https://www.bellflight.com/support/commercial.

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  • #112
    August 24 · 44 min

    Episode 112: Mental Toughness for Aviation Maintenance | James Lawrence

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus What does one of the world's greatest endurance athletes have to teach the aviation maintenance industry? More than you might expect. In this episode of Vertical MRO, hosts Jon Gray and David Kreutzkamp welcome James Lawrence, better known as the Iron Cowboy, ahead of his keynote presentation at the 2026 Vertical MRO Conferences. Rather than focusing solely on endurance records, the conversation explores the mindset required to perform under pressure. James shares practical lessons on staying calm during chaos, prioritizing what matters most, building resilient teams, and maintaining focus when the workload never seems to stop. Drawing parallels between extreme endurance events and the realities of helicopter maintenance, James explains why high performers succeed by controlling their reactions, not their circumstances. Whether you're leading a maintenance team, troubleshooting an AOG aircraft, or navigating a demanding career, this conversation offers practical insights into resilience, leadership, and performing at your best when it matters most. Learn more about James Lawrence and his upcoming keynote at the 2026 Vertical MRO Conferences by visiting verticalmro.com. Special thanks to this episode's sponsor, Alpine Aerotech. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  • #111
    August 17 · 1 hr 12 min

    Episode #111: The Weight of Keeping Public Safety Aircraft Flying | Nicolas Ianiero

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. For this episode of Vertical MRO, recorded live at APSCON 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Nicolas Ianiero, aircraft maintenance engineer with Canadian Helicopters supporting the York Regional Police Air Support Unit and the recipient of the 2026 APSA Technician of the Year Award. Nicolas shares the journey that took him from aspiring pilot to licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, including his introduction to helicopter maintenance and the experiences that shaped his career. Along the way, he reflects on the value of mentorship, continuous learning, and embracing opportunities that weren't part of the original plan. The conversation also explores the unique responsibility of supporting public safety aviation. Whether responding to missing persons, critical incidents, or life-saving missions, Nicolas explains how maintainers play a vital role long before an aircraft ever leaves the hangar. It's a perspective that highlights the dedication, professionalism, and quiet commitment behind every successful mission. Congratulations to Nicolas on being recognized as the 2026 APSA Technician of the Year and thank you for sharing your story with the Vertical MRO community. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Precision Aviation Group and Airbus Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  • #110
    August 10 · 42 min

    Episode 110: What Aviation Accidents Teach Us About Safety | Ray Bennett - Part II

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In Part II of their conversation with aviation leader Ray Bennett, hosts Ronnie Ries and Faith Ortega take a deeper look at how the aviation industry responds when safety is put to the test. Drawing on firsthand experience supporting operators through major industry events, Ray shares his perspective on accident response, crisis decision-making, and the challenges organizations face when critical information is limited and stakes are at their highest. The discussion includes reflections on the 2016 EC225 accident and the far-reaching changes that followed across engineering, maintenance, monitoring, and operational practices. Ray provides insight into the realities of fleet groundings, industry-wide investigations, and the difficult decisions leaders must make in the immediate aftermath of a major event. Part II offers a thoughtful look at how aviation learns from tragedy, why continuous improvement matters, and how those lessons ultimately contribute to a safer industry for everyone. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Robinson Helicopter and Metro Aviation. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  • #109
    August 3 · 53 min

    Episode 109: What Aviation Accidents Teach Us About Safety | Ray Bennett - Part I

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. For this episode of Vertical MRO, hosts Ronnie Ries and Faith Ortega sit down with aviation leader Ray Bennett for a conversation about the people, values, and experiences that shape safety in aviation. Drawing from a career that spans operators, maintenance organizations, manufacturers, and industry leadership roles, Ray reflects on the lessons learned throughout his journey and the importance of integrity, accountability, and engineering rigor in aviation maintenance. The discussion explores how strong safety cultures are built, why leadership matters, and the role every technician, engineer, and manager plays in creating an environment where concerns can be raised and lessons can be shared. Along the way, Ray shares stories from the field that illustrate how small decisions can have lasting impacts on both safety and organizational culture. Part I focuses on the foundations of aviation safety and the leadership principles that help organizations build trust, resilience, and operational excellence. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Alipine Aerotech and Precision Aviation Group Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  • July 29 · 4 min

    Vertical MRO Alerts: By Bell - Ep 9: Bell 429 Main Rotor Mast Inspection

    Welcome to Vertical MRO Alerts, presented by Bell! In this Alert, Bell 429 Product Support Engineering Lead Sebastien Rousseau discusses Alert Service Bulletin 429-26-74, which introduces a one-time inspection of certain Bell 429 main rotor mast assemblies for machining marks on the inner diameter. Sebastien explains Bell's investigation that these machining marks can affect mast fatigue life, and the required actions based on the mast's accumulated hours. He also reviews the compliance timelines, inspection requirements, and the latest updates included in Revision A, including mandatory borescope use and a simplified inspection procedure that reduces the maintenance required to accomplish the bulletin. Maintainers who have questions or are uncertain about their inspection findings are encouraged to contact Bell Product Support for assistance. For full details and compliance requirements, operators should always refer directly to Alert Service Bulletin 429-26-74. The full library of episodes is available to listen to on demand. We want to hear from you! – techtalk@bellflight.com Need help with your Bell helicopter? – productsupport@bellflight.com

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  • #108
    July 27 · 47 min

    AI Won't Replace Maintainers—But It Will Change Their Jobs | Reinaldo Caceres - Part II - Ep: 108 update

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In Part II of their conversation, Jon Gray, Howie, and Reinaldo Caceres of Nabu Pro shift their focus to one of aviation maintenance's biggest long-term challenges: preserving knowledge before it leaves the industry. As experienced maintainers retire, decades of troubleshooting experience, operational lessons, and hard-earned insights risk disappearing with them. The discussion explores how AI and modern knowledge management tools could help capture and organize that expertise, making it accessible to future generations of technicians and operators. Drawing on real-world examples from the maintenance community, the conversation examines the value of institutional knowledge, the importance of mentorship, and the opportunities technology presents to bridge the gap between experienced maintainers and those just entering the industry. Part II offers a thoughtful look at how aviation can use technology to preserve expertise, support workforce development, and strengthen maintenance organizations for the future. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Alpine Aerotech and Precision Aviation Group Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

    • Transcript
  • #107
    July 20 · 45 min

    AI Won't Replace Maintainers—But It Will Change Their Jobs | Reinaldo Caceres - Part I - Ep: 107

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. For this episode of Vertical MRO, host Jon Gray and co-host Howie sit down with Reinaldo Caceres, founder and CEO of Nabu Pro, to explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape aviation operations and maintenance. A commercial pilot turned technology entrepreneur, Reinaldo shares the journey that led him from the cockpit into software development and explains why he believes AI has the potential to become one of the most impactful tools available to aviation professionals. The conversation focuses on practical applications rather than hype. Jon, Howie, and Reinaldo discuss how AI can help maintenance and operations teams work more efficiently, reduce administrative burdens, analyze information faster, and support better decision-making without replacing the expertise and judgment of experienced professionals. Part I explores where AI is already delivering value today and how aviation organizations can begin leveraging these tools while maintaining the human oversight that remains critical to safe operations. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Rotorcraft Support Inc, Alpine Aerotech and Airbus. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

    • Transcript
  • #106
    July 13 · 51 min

    From Alaska Flying to Aviation Safety Leadership | Mike Kunkel - Part II - Ep: 106

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In Part II of this conversation, Ronnie continues the discussion with Mike Kunkel of PG&E on the realities of building and sustaining a just culture in aviation operations. The episode focuses on the challenges organizations face when trying to move from compliance-driven safety programs toward environments built on trust, accountability, and open communication. Mike shares lessons learned from aviation safety management, including common leadership mistakes that can discourage reporting and weaken safety culture over time. The conversation also explores the importance of feedback loops, workforce engagement, and creating systems that encourage continuous learning instead of blame. For aviation professionals across maintenance and operations, this episode provides practical insight into the human side of safety and the long-term work required to build resilient teams. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Rotorcraft Support Inc and Metro Aviation. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

    • Transcript
  • #105
    July 6 · 49 min

    Episode 105: From Alaska Flying to Aviation Safety Leadership | Mike Kunkel - Part I

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In this episode, Ronnie sits down with Mike Kunkel, safety management system program manager at PG&E, to discuss his path through aviation and the experiences that shaped his approach to safety leadership. The conversation begins with Mike’s early flying experiences in Alaska and his time supporting law enforcement aviation operations, offering a firsthand look at the operational environments, decision-making, and responsibilities that come with mission-driven flying. As the discussion develops, Mike shares how those experiences influenced his perspective on aviation safety, communication, and organizational culture. For operators, maintainers, and aviation professionals, Part I provides a grounded look at the real-world operational background behind today’s conversations around safety management and just culture. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Precision Aviation Group and Robinson Helicopter. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

    • Transcript
  • #11
    June 29 · 52 min

    Bell Tech Talk Episode #11 - Garmin G1000 Insights for Maintainers

    Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell. In this episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell, host Jon Gray is joined by Greg Judd, along with Gabriel Leveille and Jason Estaphan, to discuss the Garmin G1000. This conversation provides a deeper understanding of how the system can directly support maintainers in their day-to-day work. As avionics platforms continue to evolve, systems like the G1000 have become more than just flight deck tools—they are increasingly valuable resources for troubleshooting, diagnostics, and operational insight. The conversation explores the progression from earlier systems to newer configurations like NXi, highlighting improvements in processing speed, internal memory, and system integration. These advancements have significantly reduced update times, simplified database management, and improved the ability to diagnose faults more precisely. For maintainers, this means less time chasing ambiguous issues and more confidence in identifying root causes. Beyond hardware and software improvements, the discussion emphasizes the importance of engaging with the system itself. From navigating system pages to interpreting flight and fault data, building familiarity with the G1000 allows technicians to better leverage available information and avoid unnecessary component changes. The ability to access and interpret log files, system messages, and historical data is becoming an essential skill set in modern rotorcraft maintenance. As avionics systems continue to advance, the gap between operations and maintenance continues to narrow. This conversation highlights how maintainers who invest time in understanding these platforms are better equipped to support both the aircraft and the mission. We want to hear from you! – techtalk@bellflight.com Need help with your Bell helicopter? Email us at productsupport@bellflight.com or visit https://www.bellflight.com/support/commercial.

  • #104
    June 22 · 34 min

    Episode 104: Moving Aircraft Is Harder Than You Think | Don Lockie & Peter Van Dael

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. For this episode, Jon Gray sits down with Don Lockie of Aviation Resources Group and Peter Van Dael, product manager at Navi-Gate, for a live conversation recorded on the show floor at Verticon 2025. While logistics often happens behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in keeping aircraft, components, and maintenance operations moving. Don and Peter share insights from years of experience coordinating aircraft transportation, navigating international regulations, and solving the unexpected challenges that can arise when moving high-value aviation assets around the world. The conversation explores how supply chains have evolved since COVID, the importance of planning logistics early in a project, and why waiting too long to make transportation decisions can lead to unnecessary costs and delays. From regulatory requirements to practical decision-making, the discussion highlights the often-overlooked work that helps keep maintenance and operational schedules on track. Whether you're moving a component across a border or relocating an entire aircraft, this episode offers practical lessons on planning, communication, and the partnerships required to make aviation logistics successful. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Rotorcraft Support Inc and Metro Aviation. Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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