Push to Talk with Bruce Webb: A Helicopter Podcast

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/

After a two-month hiatus, Push to Talk will return in January with a new batch of conversations featuring more insightful figures across the world of aviation. Thierry Couderc is the Vice Chair of the European Helicopter Association. In this conversation, Thierry and I will speak about aviation regulation in a changing world. Theirrey will tell us about his work integrating drones into European airspace, and some of the challenges he’s faced doing so. We’ll speak about Bird Strikes vs Drone Strikes. What are the major differences between the two — and how can flight regulations better address these differences? Then, we’ll speak about safety advocacy; how despite the competitive nature of our industry, the goal of reducing accidents and saving lives should reach beyond make, model, and manufacturer.

Joe Gonzalez is an aviation instructor at Tarrant County College. In this conversation, we’ll examine the current state of aviation education. What new challenges do advancements in technology, such as ForeFlight, present to fledgling aviators? Joe will tell us about the landscape of the industry for new pilots, and why he believes that now is the perfect time to get a foot in the door.

Tom Nef and Peter Anderson are pilots for S.T.A.R.S. , an air ambulance organization providing care to rural, remote, and indigenous communicates across Western Canada. In this conversation, we’ll break down some of the technical aspects of flying in such a remote environment, and discuss the mental element of flying air ambulance; how a sense of community can give pilots relief in emotionally challenging roles.

In this episode of Push to Talk, I’ll be looking back to my time flying helicopter relief in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Joining me today is Retired Army Chief and Purple Heart recipient Frank Kanaka, who flew alongside me those five days. Frank and I will look back and delve into the devastation we witnessed, share our experience navigating city through our relief efforts, and reflect on the kindness and hospitality we received in the face of so much suffering.

Faith Ortega is a Helicopter A&P Mechanic at Air Evac Lifeteam in St. Louis, Missouri. Faith runs the popular “HowToHelicopter” Tiktok and Instagram accounts, where she provides viewers a look into the industry with career advice and day-in-the-life style content. In this conversation with Faith, we’ll examine aviation outreach in today’s world. Faith will break down the origins of HowToHelicopter; how the page she started as a fun pastime grew a following of over two hundred thousand people across her different platforms. We’ll learn about Faith’s personal backstory as a mechanic; and the philosophy she brings to her new role as industry ambassador. Then, we’ll talk career paths. How an interested young person can get their foot in the door, and take their first steps toward changing our industry. And, much more.

Oliver is an experimental test pilot with Airbus. In this conversation with Olivier, we’ll explore his pivotal role in the development of the Airbus H160.

Nataly Jahchan is a Human Factors and Ergonomics Specialist at Airbus. In her role, Nataly researches human behavior in aviation, and develops intuitive ways for people to work with the machines they operate. In this conversation with Nataly, we’ll examine the science of human factors. We’ll talk about the impact small details make in our comprehension. Why do we pay more attention to safety labels written in lowercase? And why are warning alerts more effective in a female voice? We’ll break down at the science of language — how errors in wording have led to disaster in flight, and how we can communicate better as a multi-lingual industry. Then, we’ll look to the future; how people like Nataly are changing the way we interact with our aircraft.

Arnd Von-Fabeck is the head of aviation safety management and international network for Airbus. In this conversation with Arnd, we’ll look at SMS on a personal level. What internal roadblocks do aviators face that prevent them from speaking up about safety issues? We’ll examine how to better identify and communicate our own mistakes, and how to address the mistakes others make with grace and understanding. Then, we’ll look to the future; how we can take the lessons we learn within our personal bubbles, and use them to enrich the industry as a whole?

In this conversation with Kayleigh Bowers, we'll examine how the best way to solve problems in aviation is to listen to the different lived experiences of those around us.