The Vertical MRO Podcast

Vertical HeliCASTS
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Aviation
  • 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. Oct 20 ·  Video

    Episode 120: From the Hangar Floor: Vertical MRO Kelowna Highlights

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. What happens when the helicopter maintenance community comes together? At the 2026 Vertical MRO Conference in Kelowna, British Columbia, the answer was plenty of honest conversations, shared experiences, new connections, and a collective commitment to keeping the industry moving forward. In this special edition of the Vertical MRO Podcast, we're bringing you highlights from six conversations recorded during the conference, featuring operators, maintenance professionals, technical experts, educators, and students. Hear from Mark Wiskemann and Michael Rodyniuk of Wisk Air about aircraft availability, rising costs, and the importance of valuing maintenance teams. Explore the role of the KF Centre for Excellence in bringing aviation professionals and future maintainers together, and learn why fatigue management deserves greater attention with Meredith Hedwall and Doug Downey of Pulsar Informatics. Wilson Boynton of Advanced Composites Training shares what experienced technicians discovered during hands-on training, while Dana and Dell of Select Helicopters Services discuss the importance of customer relationships, company culture, and working constructively with regulators. Finally, BCIT instructor Dale Hambrook and his students offer an encouraging look at the next generation entering aircraft maintenance. These are just a few of the conversations that made Kelowna memorable, and there's much more to come as we release the full interviews in future episodes. Missed Kelowna? Join us in Irving, Texas, November 16–18, for the next Vertical MRO Conference. Registration is open, with more opportunities to learn, connect, and share ideas with the people who keep helicopters flying. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Precision Aviation Group 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 120: From the Hangar Floor: Vertical MRO Kelowna Highlights

  2. Oct 19 ·  Video

    Episode 119: Turning Aircraft Problems Into Engineered Solutions | Ryan Hader - Part II

    Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus. In Part Two of the Vertical MRO Podcast's conversation with Ryan Hader of iAERO, hosts David Kreutzkamp and Howie Murray dig into the realities behind supplemental type certificates and aircraft modifications. Starting with something as seemingly simple as a cup holder, Ryan explains why permanently installing a new component in an aircraft can introduce questions around materials, flammability, structural loads, testing, documentation, and certification—and why the cost of proving a modification is safe and compliant can quickly exceed the cost of the component itself. The conversation expands into increasingly complex modifications and what it actually takes to move an idea from an operator's requirement to an engineered, tested, approved, and supportable aircraft installation. Ryan also discusses the additional challenges of taking modifications across borders and navigating different regulatory authorities and approval requirements. For maintainers and operators, the discussion provides a look behind the paperwork at the engineering intent behind an STC—and why understanding that intent matters when installing, maintaining, or modifying certified equipment in the field.   Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Airbus 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!

    Episode 119: Turning Aircraft Problems Into Engineered Solutions | Ryan Hader - Part II

  3. Oct 13 ·  Video

    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!

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

  4. Oct 4 ·  Video

    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.

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

  5. Oct 1 ·  Video

    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

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

  6. Sep 30 ·  Bonus Video

    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.

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

  7. Sep 21 ·  Video

    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!

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

  8. Sep 14 ·  Video

    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!

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

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out of 5
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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
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Vertical MRO Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Vertical MRO Podcast

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