Episode #133 - Mile High Health Club: Lashae Bacon - The Helicopter Podcast

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Lashae Bacon, a former Apache pilot turned entrepreneur, who founded Mile High Health Club to boost health and fitness for aviation professionals. Lashae shares insights on her pathway to becoming an Apache pilot, and her journey from military aviation to addressing the industry’s "C-" rated health trajectory. She discusses the difficulties of maintaining nutrition and fitness while traveling for work, as well as other health challenges pilots face. The conversation underscores the need for better health resources to support pilots’ medical certifications, career success, and positivity in life. Join Halsey and Lashae for an inspiring look at health and wellness in aviation!If you want to learn more about Mile High Health club, visit them at: https://milehighhealthclub.life/Thank you to our sponsors, Precision Aviation Group, Airbus and Sellacopter.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Matt Goodrich, a software engineer who rocketed from student pilot to air medical pro in record time. They explore Matt’s swift transition to flying the advanced Leonardo AW169 helicopter, tackling night shifts and tough weather. Matt shares the vital role of Vertical Aviation International (VAI) in connecting pilots and mechanics, drawing from the networking energy of Verticon 2025. He emphasizes mentorship, professionalism with medical crews, and the importance of strict safety minimums.Join Halsey and Matt in this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for an engaging dive into building aviation communities and thriving in emergency medical services.Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation and Astronautics Corporation of America.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Henrique Lopes, a Brazilian pilot renowned for his S-92 expertise. Henrique shares practical insights on flying the S-92, highlighting its unique operational challenges, and his experience transitioning into such a large aircraft. He discusses the vibrant Brazilian helicopter market, shaped by the oil-and-gas sector, and training advice for aspiring pilots, with tips on choosing the right path. Henrique also addresses balancing parental expectations and maintaining professionalism. Henrique's passion for continuous learning and tailored teaching shines through in this episode of The Helicopter Podcast. Join in for an engaging dive into S-92 flying and Brazil’s aviation world!Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Robinson Helicopter and Precision Aviation Group.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Spencer Cahoon, a student pilot eager to carve his path in the helicopter industry through networking and dedication. They dive into the essentials of flight training, exploring the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 schools, best practices for preparing for checkrides, and the importance of safety and mentorship. Spencer shares his experiences navigating training challenges and balancing personal life with aviation goals, while emphasizing how connections in the industry open doors. Perfect for aspiring pilots, join Halsey and Spencer for an insightful, practical look at launching a career in helicopter aviation.Thank you to our sponsors Vertical Aviation International, Metro Aviation and Enstrom Helicopter.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Terry Blakemore, CEO of Quantum Helicopters, a premier flight school shaping skilled pilots through top-tier training. They explore Quantum’s mission to advance aviation with cutting-edge instruction and strong community outreach, and share fun stories, like Terry landing at his daughter’s wedding. From flying fighters in the United States Air Force to running a helicopter flight school, Terry shares a fascinating pathway through aviation, and underscores the value of public awareness of helicopter operations. The conversation also highlights Quantum’s work opening financial pathways to aviation careers for veterans. Join Halsey and Terry in this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for an engaging look at how Quantum Helicopters is training the next generation of pilots!Thank you to our sponsors Astronautics Corporation of America, Robinson Helicopter and Vertical Aviation International.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Kimberly Hutchings, an aviation leader whose work with Volo Mission shapes the next generation of utility pilots through specialized training. They explore how emotional intelligence fuels effective leadership and safety, diving into human factors, stress management, and bridging the office-cockpit divide. Kimberly shares insights on fostering strong company culture, her thoughts on the empowerment of women in aviation via Ladies of Long Line, and the role of mindfulness and community in tackling pilot challenges. Join Halsey and Kimberly for a compelling look at balancing mental health, family, and a dynamic career in aviation!Thank you to our sponsors Vertical Aviation International, Precision Aviation Group and Sellacopter.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Brett Reeder, president of NEMSPA (National EMS Pilots Association) and a 15-year air medical pilot. They cover a lot of ground—everything from night shift challenges and Crew Resource Management to bigger industry topics like safety, networking, and pilot pay. Brett opens up about NEMSPA’s work, advocating for current and future EMS pilots with a focus on support and growth. Tune in to this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for an engaging look at life in the air medical world with Halsey and Brett!Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group and Airbus.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!Buckle up for an unforgettable in-person episode of The Helicopter Podcast, recorded live at Verticon, with your host Halsey Schider and co-host Jon Gray, the voice behind the Hangar Z Podcast! Today's guest, Air Zermatt CEO Daniel Aufdenblatten, takes them on a wild ride through his remarkable life in aviation, starting from his childhood in the shadow of Zermatt’s towering Swiss Alps, where helicopters were the lifeline of the mountains. Daniel recounts his bold move to the U.S., diving headfirst into flight training at Hillsboro Aviation (now Hillsboro Heli Academy) and racking up a jaw-dropping 1,800 hours in just two years with three companies. Daniel shares a laugh-out-loud story about his Air Zermatt job interview that landed him a role with one of the world’s premier helicopter operations. He describes the steep learning curve of long-line work in an Airbus AStar (AS350 B2), including a heart-pounding tale of slinging concrete to a remote site, pushing the helicopter to the edge of its envelope. Daniel shares about the intensity of flying with night vision goggles (NVGs) in Switzerland’s pitch-black rural nights, and offers insights on building self-confidence and embracing patience while mastering new challenges. Don't miss this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, packed with humor, heart, and the kind of rotor talk that will leave you inspired!Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Vertical Aviation International and Hillsboro Heli Academy.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider talks with Simon Jones, founder of Advanced Flight and a top-tier helicopter instructor at the Robinson Helicopter factory. With over 17,000 hours of flight time, including over 12,000 hours teaching in the Robinson R44, Simon's name is known far and wide through the industry.They explore a range of topics—from advanced maneuvers like autorotations and recovery techniques to the evolution of flight training and safety innovations. Simon shares insights on simplifying complex skills, as well as the reliability of Robinson helicopters and the impact of their new horizontal stabilizer. The discussion covers instructor challenges, the need for continuous learning, and tailoring training to individual pilots. For an in-depth look at mastering helicopter flight and flight instruction, join Halsey and Simon for this insightful episode of The Helicopter Podcast!Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter, Hillsboro Heli Academy and Airbus.

Send us a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this buzzing in-person episode, host Halsey Schider takes The Helicopter Podcast to Verticon 2025 for a panel that’s all about the skies teaming up. Recorded live amid the show’s hum, Halsey is joined by Peter Fuchs of Ascent Aero Systems, regulatory specialist Amber Harrison from Vertical Aviation International, and Heliflite’s Rob Bentley-Johnston from Australia. They dive into how drones and helicopters aren’t rivals but partners, boosting missions from rescue to logistics.Peter shares Ascent’s journey from startup to Robinson Helicopters’ recent acquisition, as well as details on Ascent's new Helius drone, a coaxial UAV offering rugged performance in surveillance, search and rescue, logistics, and more. The group explore how Helius can be deployed in real-world missions, particularly in scenarios where drones can enhance efficiency and safety by working alongside helicopters. Amber tackles the regulatory tangle holding back beyond-line-of-sight drone ops, while Rob pitches a vision of full-on aerial teamwork. Tune into this episode of The Helicopter Podcast for a peek at the thrilling future of helicopters and UAVs in sync!Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter, Vertical Aviation International  and Enstrom Helicopter Corporation.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!