Episode 198: Why the U.S. Army Chose the R66 for Flight Training | David Smith

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider welcomes Robinson Helicopter Company CEO David Smith back to the podcast for an update on a period of significant change for the company.At the centre of the conversation is Robinson's growing role in military flight training and the selection of the R66 for the U.S. Army's Flight School Next program. David explains why the Army is placing renewed emphasis on single-engine training and fundamental stick-and-rudder skills, and what the program could mean for Robinson as thousands of future Army aviators gain experience on the R66.The conversation also looks at what's next for the R66 itself. David discusses Robinson's work toward expanded IFR capabilities, the certification challenges involved, and how real-world accidents and incidents continue to influence the company's thinking around safety, training and aircraft development.Halsey and David also dig into engine supply challenges, Robinson's expanding partnerships, unmanned applications and the company's longer-term ambitions.From training the next generation of Army aviators to expanding what the R66 can do, David offers a look at how Robinson is positioning itself for its next chapter.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Vertical Aviation International, SiriusXM Aviation and Robinson Helicopter. 

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Jim O'Neill of Bristow Group, an experienced helicopter rescue paramedic, winchman, and winch operator whose career has taken him from the infantry to decades of helicopter search-and-rescue operations.Jim takes Halsey inside a challenging rescue with the Irish Coast Guard near Dingle Harbour, Ireland, where severe weather, a vessel in distress, and a rapidly evolving situation forced the crew to make difficult decisions under pressure. The mission would ultimately earn Jim the Billy Deakin Award, named in honour of a winchman who lost his life during a heroic rescue.Beyond the rescue itself, Jim shares what years of experience have taught him about managing risk without becoming another casualty, recognizing when pressure is beginning to influence a decision, and relying on strong crew resource management where everyone has both a voice and a responsibility to speak up.Jim and Halsey also discuss the training and mindset behind helicopter rescue, including Jim's belief that mastering the simple things creates the foundation for handling the complicated ones. From building trust with new rescue crew members to maintaining proficiency after decades on the job, the conversation offers a rare perspective from someone who has spent much of his career working beneath the helicopter when the stakes are at their highest.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Enstrom Helicopter, Metro Aviation and Hillsboro Heli Academy. 

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Chad McIntosh and Bailey Gackstetter of Great Lakes Helicopter and HeliSIX in Ontario, Canada, for a conversation about flight training, building helicopter pilots and the value of learning inside a working aviation operation.Chad and Bailey explain why choosing a flight school should be about more than price or simply earning a licence. The instructors, culture and community surrounding a student can help shape the pilot they eventually become. They also discuss how students can make the most of their first 100 hours by asking questions, learning from experienced pilots and taking advantage of every opportunity to see real helicopter operations firsthand.The conversation also explores Great Lakes' evolution from flight training into a diverse operation spanning aerial application, charter, utility and tourism, along with the launch and growth of the HeliSIX brand.For aspiring pilots in particular, Chad and Bailey offer a candid look at helicopter training in Canada, the realities of breaking into the industry and why attitude, professionalism and a willingness to learn can matter long before that first flying job.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Vertical Aviation International, Robinson Helicopter and Sellacopter. 

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Beau Prine of Aviation Academy Louisiana to discuss a career shaped by military aviation, maintenance excellence, and a passion for developing the next generation of aviation professionals.Before entering aviation education, Beau served as a CH-53 crew chief in the United States Marine Corps, including two tours with HMX-1—the squadron responsible for presidential helicopter transport. He shares stories from his first presidential mission supporting President Obama, his return to the unit years later during President Trump's first term, and the professionalism, preparation, and attention to detail required to support some of the most visible aviation operations in the world.The conversation explores the critical role maintenance plays in aviation safety, lessons learned from the Marine Corps' CH-53 reset program, and the standards required to keep aircraft mission-ready after years of demanding operational use. Beau also reflects on leadership, personal accountability, and the pride that comes from mastering a craft and continually striving for excellence.From presidential support missions to aviation training, this episode offers an inside look at military helicopter operations and the lessons that continue to shape Beau's approach to aviation today. At its core, it's a conversation about professionalism, preparation, and the people behind the aircraft who make every mission possible.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Hillsboro Heli Academy, Precision Aviation Group and Sellacopter.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with fighter pilot, author, and content creator C.W. Lemoine to talk about an aviation career that rarely followed the obvious path.Growing up in Louisiana, C.W. dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot, only to be told early on that his eyesight would likely prevent him from ever reaching that goal. Rather than letting that answer define his future, he continued looking for another way in. A chance connection with an Air Force Reserve fighter squadron eventually opened a door, beginning a military aviation career that would take him through the Air Force and Navy and into flying aircraft including the F-16 and F/A-18.C.W. shares some of the unexpected turns along that journey, from Hurricane Katrina and military restructuring to deployments and combat flying. He and Halsey also get into the realities of high-performance aircraft, G-forces, training, and C.W.'s eventual experience crossing over into the helicopter world.The conversation also explores how C.W. has taken his aviation experience beyond the cockpit through his books and online content, using authenticity and approachable storytelling to connect aviation with a much broader audience.C.W.'s latest novel, AIR ONE: Origin, is available for pre-order now and releases October 20. Pre-order your copy here.Through it all is a lesson C.W. has carried throughout his career: don't eliminate yourself from an opportunity before someone with the authority to make that decision actually tells you no. It's a philosophy he has spoken about before in his popular “Make Them Tell You No” video, and one that comes through clearly in his own unconventional path into military aviation. His story is a reminder that an aviation career doesn't always unfold according to plan—and that setbacks don't necessarily mean the end of the road.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Robinson, Sirius XM Aviation and Airbus.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Ryan Vandehei, a former Coast Guard helicopter pilot, to talk about his path into military aviation, the realities of Coast Guard flight training, and some of the personal challenges that have come with the journey.Ryan shares what drew him to the Coast Guard Academy with the goal of becoming a pilot and the highs and lows that followed—from struggling through his first weeks at the Academy and wondering whether he belonged there to eventually learning he had earned a coveted spot in flight school. He and Halsey also explore the different pathways available to aspiring Coast Guard aviators and what makes the service's approach to helicopter operations and rescue missions unique.The conversation also moves beyond flying as Ryan speaks candidly about his experiences with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and the pressures that can accompany being a high performer in military aviation. Ryan and Halsey discuss why those struggles can be difficult to acknowledge in a culture built around performance and resilience, and the value of having people around you who are willing to talk openly when things aren't going well.From earning a place in flight school to navigating the demands that come with military aviation, Ryan's story offers an inside look at becoming a Coast Guard helicopter pilot—and a reminder that some of the toughest challenges in aviation aren't necessarily encountered in the cockpit.Ryan's has also recorded another episode with the Flight Suit Friday podcast on mental health that can be listened to here.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Airbus, Metro Aviation and Sellacopter.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!Aviation insurance can often feel like a complicated process, but behind every policy is a conversation about risk, experience, and finding the right solution.In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey sits down with Ryan Konrath of Wings Insurance and Michael Puglisi of IAT Insurance Group to explore the world of aviation insurance from both sides of the table. They discuss how brokers and underwriters evaluate pilots, aircraft, and operations—and why the best outcomes come from communication, preparation, and understanding the bigger picture.Ryan and Michael explain the difference between shopping for insurance and choosing the right broker, the role curiosity plays in building a strong application, and how underwriters work with clients to find solutions instead of simply saying no.From navigating changing insurance markets to understanding how career paths can take unexpected turns, this conversation offers valuable insight into one of the most important parts of aviation that often happens behind the scenes.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Enstrom, Hillsboro Heli Academy and Robinson Helicopter.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Matthias Wendt, a dentist from Germany who has turned his passion for helicopters into an innovative STEM outreach effort designed to introduce young people to aviation.Matthias’ connection to helicopters started through curiosity rather than a career path. Despite numerous opportunities throughout his life to pursue aviation, his journey instead took him into dental technology and dentistry. Years later, his fascination with helicopters returned through home simulation, eventually transforming a personal hobby into a hands-on way to introduce students to aviation.What began as an effort to create a more immersive helicopter simulator for himself evolved into custom-built simulator rigs, helicopter controls, and even a wearable rotor head that allows students to physically experience how helicopter flight controls work. The outreach found an early home through KuKo, the STEAM program led by Matthias’ wife, before expanding into schools, LEGO Robotics teams, and other educational settings.Matthias and Halsey discuss the importance of giving young people tangible ways to discover aviation, engineering, and technical careers—and the role that mentors and industry professionals can play in providing that first spark of inspiration.For those interested in taking the idea further, Matthias has also put together a downloadable PDF guide linked here that provides more information and resources for bringing helicopter simulation and hands-on learning into STEM education. Matthias can be reached at [email protected] Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Enstrom, Metro Aviation and Sellacopter.Photo credit: Andreas Köhler @firefighter_andi

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Raphael Yver, director of sales and support at Guimbal, to explore the story behind one of the most distinctive helicopter manufacturers in the industry.Raphael shares the remarkable journey of company founder Bruno Guimbal, whose passion for engineering and aviation led him from building aircraft as a student to creating a helicopter designed specifically for flight training. The conversation traces the origins of the Cabri G2, the philosophy behind designing a true trainer helicopter from the ground up, and the technologies borrowed from larger aircraft that helped set Guimbal apart in the market.The discussion also provides an inside look at the company's next-generation aircraft, the G5. Raphael explains how far development has progressed, what makes the project different from typical concept aircraft, and why Guimbal believes there is room for a modern, purpose-built helicopter in today's market.Along the way, Halsey and Raphael talk about calculated career risks, company culture, and the importance of pursuing opportunities that align with both professional growth and personal fulfillment. From engineering innovation to aviation entrepreneurship, this episode offers a fascinating look at how one vision evolved into a globally recognized helicopter manufacturer.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Sirius XM, Airbus and Precision Aviation Group.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this special update episode of The Helicopter Podcast, Halsey Schider welcomes Jason Hill back to the show to discuss one of the biggest milestones in Hill Helicopters' journey—the successful first run of the GT50 turbine engine.Two years after Jason's first podcast with Halsey in which shared his vision for designing and manufacturing a modern helicopter from the ground up, the conversation catches up on the progress that's been made and what this latest achievement means for the future of the HX50 program. Jason explains the engineering challenges behind developing a turbine engine in-house, why vertical integration has become a cornerstone of Hill's business strategy, and how controlling manufacturing costs could reshape general aviation.Drawing on questions submitted by the Hill Helicopters owner and reservation-holder community, Halsey also asks Jason about certification, production timelines, funding, safety, and the next major milestones on the road to customer deliveries.Whether you've been following Hill Helicopters since the beginning or are just discovering the project, this episode offers an inside look at one of the industry's most ambitious aircraft development programs and the progress being made toward bringing it to market.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Hillsboro Heli Academy, Enstrom, and Sellacopter.