Episode #174: Fighter Pilot Lessons, Backcountry Flying, and a Water Ditching | Steve Cox - The Helicopter Podcast

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider sits down with Steve Cox, fighter pilot, airline pilot, and creator of the Cleared Direct YouTube channel, for a wide-ranging conversation about aviation, risk, and the lessons learned from real-world flying.Steve shares the path that led him from military fighter jets to airline operations and into the world of experimental and backcountry aviation. Along the way, he discusses the discipline required to operate high-performance aircraft, the appeal of building and flying experimental airplanes, and the mindset pilots need to manage risk in demanding environments.The conversation also explores the role of storytelling in aviation safety. Steve explains why sharing experiences — including mistakes and close calls — helps pilots build mental models that improve decision-making long before a real emergency occurs.That philosophy becomes especially real as Steve recounts a dramatic water ditching and the rapid decisions that allowed him and his passenger to walk away safely. It’s a powerful reminder that preparation, training, and a strong safety culture remain essential in every corner of aviation.Thank you to this episode's sponsors Robinson Helicopter, Quantum Helicopters and Enstrom Helicopter.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded live at European Rotors 2025 in Cologne, host Halsey Schider sits down with helicopter pilot and author Simon Whitinger for a wide-ranging discussion about operations, training, and knowledge sharing in the helicopter community.The conversation opens with Simon’s flight training and career pathways, including Simon’s flight training experiences in Canada, the challenges of transitioning to EASA certification, and the crucial role that networking and industry events like European Rotors play in building professional connections across the helicopter community.They then turn to Simon's experience flying in Greenland, where helicopters often serve as essential transportation between remote villages, support medevacs, and connect people across challenging terrain. Halsey and Simon explore how these real-world operations shape a pilot’s decision-making and perspective.Finally, they focus on Simon’s Mountain Flying Handbook, a resource developed to address the gap in structured safety knowledge around mountain operations. Drawing on decades of experience in mountainous environments, Simon explains why hazards such as whiteout and unmarked cables remain leading contributors to accidents, and how pilots can prepare to recognize and mitigate these risks.Buy Simon's book, The Mountain Flying Handbook. Be sure to use promo code "Sellacopter".Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Precision Aviation Group and Airbus.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded at Verticon 2026, Halsey Schider sits down with David Smith, ceo of Robinson Helicopters, and Paul Fermo, president of Robinson Unmanned, to discuss safety, innovation, and where the industry is heading next.The conversation opens with a look at recent safety improvements across the helicopter industry, including lower accident rates and the continued focus on training for inadvertent IMC. David and Paul highlight how tools like cockpit cameras and scenario-based training are helping pilots better understand risk and make more informed decisions in the moment.They also explore Robinson’s evolving product strategy — from utility-focused updates like the R44 interior to broader efforts to meet changing customer needs. A major focus is the launch of Robinson Unmanned and the company’s investment in drone technology, signaling a shift toward a more integrated future across crewed and uncrewed aviation.Blending safety, technology, and long-term strategy, this episode offers insight into how Robinson is adapting to a changing market while staying grounded in its core mission: building practical, reliable aircraft for real-world operations.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Metro Aviation, Quantum Helicopters and Robinson Helicopter.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded at Verticon 2026, Halsey Schider sits down with Francois Lassale, president and ceo of Vertical Aviation International, for a first conversation on leadership, safety culture, and decision-making in aviation.The discussion opens with Halsey sharing a formative lesson from his early flying career — the importance of knowing when to say no. In an industry where mission pressure is real, the ability to make the right call can be one of the most critical skills a pilot develops.Francois builds on that idea from a leadership perspective, emphasizing that true safety culture goes beyond policies and procedures. It’s about creating teams that consistently make the right decisions, even when no one is watching. He shares a personal example from outside aviation, where wearing proper motorcycle safety gear likely saved his life in a serious accident — reinforcing the idea that safety is a mindset carried into every aspect of life.The conversation also touches on communication, training, and how organizations can better support pilots in making sound decisions under pressure. Together, they highlight that safety isn’t just taught — it’s modeled, reinforced, and lived daily.A thoughtful discussion on leadership, accountability, and building a culture where doing the right thing is the standard.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Helicopter Institute, Robinson Helicopter and Vertical Aviation International.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!Recorded live at European Rotors 2025, this episode of The Helicopter Podcast features a conversation between Halsey Schider and Glen White from EuroSafety about helicopter training, safety culture, and the growing European market.The conversation begins with Europe’s expanding role in the global helicopter industry and the unique dynamics shaping training and operations across the region. From private owners to commercial operators, the market presents different challenges — and different expectations — around professionalism and safety culture.Glen shares insights from his work with Loft Dynamics, (interviewed at European Rotors last year), explaining how scenario-based simulation is changing the way pilots prepare for real-world emergencies. Instead of relying solely on rote memory, modern training puts pilots in realistic situations where decision-making matters — especially during inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC) and system malfunctions.They also discuss skill fade, complacency, and why continuous practice is essential in helicopter operations. From private owners to commercial crews, professionalism and safety culture remain central to the industry’s future.A focused conversation on training for the unexpected — and building safer pilots in the process.Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Vertical Aviation International and Airbus. 

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with longtime helicopter pilot and safety advocate Nick Mayhew to explore a career shaped by military aviation, hard lessons, and an unwavering commitment to safety.Nick shares his journey from the Royal Navy into helicopter operations, including tense moments in night flying and high-risk environments that reinforced one simple truth: Fatigue, complacency, and small mistakes can have massive consequences.The conversation dives into safety culture, the mission of the US Helicopter Safety Team, and Nick’s concept of a “Retirement Checklist” — a mindset built around never cutting corners and always keeping it in the green. At the heart of it all is the belief that aviation must foster a just culture where pilots own outcomes, speak up about close calls, and learn openly from mistakes.With a clear goal of zero fatal accidents, this episode is a powerful reminder that professionalism, humility, and discipline remain the foundation of helicopter safety.Thank you to our sponsors, Hillsboro Heli Academy, Airbus and Precision Aviation Group.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with David Smith, ceo of Robinson Helicopters, during European Rotors in Cologne, Germany, for a conversation that blends storytelling, innovation, and the future of rotorcraft.The discussion centers on Robinson’s new book, Climb Higher, a global project led by husband-and-wife team of photographer and book developer Jon Davison and writer Jude Brazendale.The project captured the diversity of missions, environments, and people flying Robinson helicopters around the world. David shares how the project came together, why photography and storytelling matter, and how showcasing real customer experiences helps Robinson stay closely connected to the operators who use their aircraft every day.From there, the conversation turns toward the future. David offers insight into Robinson’s product roadmap, including the R66 NXG, advances in avionics and autopilot integration, and the company’s push toward instrument flight rules (IFR) certification — all with the goal of improving safety, accessibility, and confidence for pilots. They also touch on industry challenges, innovation cycles, and why solving issues like inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC) remains a top priority.Blending creative perspective with technical leadership, this episode provides a look at how Robinson Helicopters is honoring its legacy while continuing to evolve — and why “climb higher” is more than just a book title, but a mindset guiding the company forward.Thank you to this episode's sponsors Metro Aviation, Robinson Helicopter and Helicopter Institute. 

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part conversation on The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider continues his discussion with Michael Benton, turning the focus toward accident investigation, safety culture, and how aviation organizations learn after things go wrong. Drawing from his experience as an NTSB party member and safety leader within air medical operations, Michael walks through what actually happens after an accident and the role operators play in the investigation process.The conversation explores how accidents are rarely the result of a single mistake, but instead develop from gaps in training, oversight, equipment, and decision support. Michael shares insight into how strong safety programs are built, why transparency and leadership matter, and how pilots and crews can be better supported in high-pressure operational environments. The episode also touches on the human side of the job, and why a healthy safety culture depends on trust, accountability, and realistic expectations.Don't forget to check out Part 1 of this conversation for some amazing stories, and a deep dive into Michael's aviation history!Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Robinson Helicopter and Quantum Helicopters.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part conversation on The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Michael Benton, whose career in aviation began in an unexpected place. Before flight school, Michael served as a U.S. Army interrogator and Korean linguist, a background that shaped how he evaluates human behavior, decision-making, and risk. That path ultimately led him into Army warrant officer flight training, combat operations as a Kiowa Warrior pilot, and later into air medical operations, accident investigation, and aviation safety leadership.In Part 1, Michael shares stories from his military career, including combat missions, surviving a rocket strike on a wingman, and his first flight as pilot in command ending in a hydraulic failure and run-on landing. Part 2 continues the conversation with a deeper look at Michael’s work in accident investigation, safety culture, and his current role shaping aviation operations today.Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Precision Aviation Group and Robinson Helicopter.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Dirk Petry, vice president of the light twin helicopters program at Airbus Helicopters, to discuss the unveiling of the H140 and what it takes to design a helicopter with life-saving missions at its core.Recorded around the excitement of European Rotors, the conversation explores how the H140 was shaped through direct collaboration with air medical operators, ensuring the aircraft meets real-world operational needs. Dirk walks through the development journey, from early concept to flight testing, highlighting how structured pilot feedback and close coordination between engineering, test pilots, and customers help mature the aircraft throughout the certification process.They also discuss why purpose matters in helicopter design, particularly in air medical operations where cabin size, performance, and operating efficiency can directly impact patient care. Dirk shares insight into the early market response to the H140, including the strong reception at the show and more than 70 customer commitments already announced.From certification challenges and testing campaigns to the role of customer input in shaping modern rotorcraft, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Airbus Helicopters approaches innovation — and why the H140 is positioned to play a significant role in the future of air medical operations.Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Quantum Helicopters and Vertical Aviation International.