The Helicopter Podcast

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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.

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Welcome 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.

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Welcome 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.

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Welcome 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 mail@hobbytimist.de

Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Enstrom, Metro Aviation and Sellacopter.

Photo credit: Andreas Köhler @firefighter_andi

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Welcome 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.