The Vertical MRO Podcast

Vertical HeliCASTS
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Aviation
  • Updated Weekly

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. 

  1. 15 hrs ago ·  Video

    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!

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

  2. Aug 10 ·  Video

    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!

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

  3. Aug 3 ·  Video

    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!

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

  4. Jul 29 ·  Bonus Video

    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

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

  5. Jul 27 ·  Video

    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!

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

  6. Jul 20 ·  Video

    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!

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

  7. Jul 13 ·  Video

    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!

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

  8. Jul 6 ·  Video

    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!

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

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Vertical HeliCASTS
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Vertical MRO Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Vertical MRO Podcast

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