The Vertical MRO Podcast

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

This episode was recorded live on location at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit as part of the 2026 Blades of Valor tour. Hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Matt Callander, an avionics technician serving the unit who also happens to be a pilot, to explore a perspective that bridges the cockpit and the hangar.
In aviation, pilots and mechanics often operate in parallel worlds. One flies the mission. The other makes it possible. But when those worlds truly align, operational performance changes.
Public safety aviation leaves no margin for disconnect. Hoist rescues, maritime operations, complex avionics systems, and mission equipment demand more than technical skill. They demand trust, communication, and a shared operational mindset. Matt brings a rare perspective shaped by both flight experience and maintenance leadership, offering insight into how pilot awareness influences troubleshooting, how maintenance realities shape operational decisions, and why respect between the cockpit and the hangar directly affects safety.
This isn’t just a discussion about turning wrenches or logging hours. It’s about cultural alignment. It’s about how leadership sets the tone between departments. And it’s about why the strongest aviation programs are built where pilots and mechanics stop seeing themselves as separate roles and start operating as one team.
Because in high-consequence aviation, synergy isn’t optional. It’s structural.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Rotorcraft Support Inc., Airbus and Vertical Plus.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

In this episode, Hosts Ronnie Ries and Howie Murray sit down with Adrienne Robinson, vice president of business development at Panterra Heli Support USA, for a grounded conversation on how leasing strategies, data, and maintenance realities intersect on the shop floor. With more than four decades in the helicopter industry, Adrienne brings a rare perspective that spans avionics, MRO, aircraft transactions, and long-term fleet planning.
The discussion focuses on what these strategies actually mean for maintainers and maintenance leaders—especially those supporting small and mid-size operations. Adrienne breaks down how Power By the Hour (PBH) programs can reduce unexpected maintenance costs, stabilize parts access, and help teams plan work more effectively instead of constantly reacting to supply chain surprises.
They also explore the rising cost of OEM parts, tariffs, and ongoing supply constraints, and why better use of HUMS data and information sharing can improve inspection planning, fault detection, and overall aircraft availability. Rather than technology for technology’s sake, the conversation centers on how data becomes useful when it supports real maintenance decisions.
Throughout the episode, Adrienne emphasizes the value of simplicity, standardization, and strong relationships—with lessors, suppliers, and maintenance teams alike. For maintainers, the takeaway is clear: predictable maintenance environments don’t happen by accident—they’re built through smarter planning, better data, and realistic support structures.
This episode offers practical insight for AMEs, DOMs, and maintenance managers looking to reduce downtime, manage risk, and keep aircraft flying in an increasingly complex MRO landscape.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group and Robinson Helicopter.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

In this episode, Hosts Ronnie Ries and Howie Murray sit down with Adrienne Robinson, vice president of business development at Panterra Heli Support USA, for a grounded conversation on how leasing strategies, data, and maintenance realities intersect on the shop floor. With more than four decades in the helicopter industry, Adrienne brings a rare perspective that spans avionics, MRO, aircraft transactions, and long-term fleet planning.
The discussion focuses on what these strategies actually mean for maintainers and maintenance leaders—especially those supporting small and mid-size operations. Adrienne breaks down how Power By the Hour (PBH) programs can reduce unexpected maintenance costs, stabilize parts access, and help teams plan work more effectively instead of constantly reacting to supply chain surprises.
They also explore the rising cost of OEM parts, tariffs, and ongoing supply constraints, and why better use of HUMS data and information sharing can improve inspection planning, fault detection, and overall aircraft availability. Rather than technology for technology’s sake, the conversation centers on how data becomes useful when it supports real maintenance decisions.
Throughout the episode, Adrienne emphasizes the value of simplicity, standardization, and strong relationships—with lessors, suppliers, and maintenance teams alike. For maintainers, the takeaway is clear: predictable maintenance environments don’t happen by accident—they’re built through smarter planning, better data, and realistic support structures.
This episode offers practical insight for AMEs, DOMs, and maintenance managers looking to reduce downtime, manage risk, and keep aircraft flying in an increasingly complex MRO landscape.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Alpine Aerotech, Rotorcraft Support Inc and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

In this episode, Jon Gray and David sit down with Shad R. Sitz—aviation safety leader, firefighting veteran, and founder of 44 North Aviation—for a candid conversation on leadership, safety, and the realities of operating in high-risk environments.
Shad shares his path from growing up on a ranch to leading complex aviation and firefighting operations, offering a perspective shaped by decades spent in the field. Throughout the discussion, he reinforces a core belief that resonates deeply in MRO: maintainers are the foundation of successful aviation operations, and strong leadership starts with taking care of the people doing the work.
The conversation dives into situational awareness, communication, and trust—especially when the pressure is on. Shad emphasizes the importance of speaking up, staying curious, and recognizing that leadership is not about authority, but responsibility. These themes carry directly into a practical discussion on mishap response planning, where Shad highlights a common industry gap: plans that exist on paper but fail in execution due to a lack of training and ownership.
Drawing from his consulting work, Shad explains how outdated response plans, poor familiarity, and untrained teams often lead to confusion and chaos when incidents occur. He makes a compelling case for regular training, clear communication, and leadership accountability to ensure that when something goes wrong, teams know exactly what to do.
This episode offers valuable insight for maintenance leaders, managers, and technicians alike—reinforcing that safety culture, preparation, and effective leadership are inseparable in modern MRO operations.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Essential Turbines, Precision Aviation Group and Vertical Plus.

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.

In this episode, Jon Gray and David sit down with Shad R. Sitz—aviation safety leader, firefighting veteran, and founder of 44 North Aviation—for a candid conversation on leadership, safety, and the realities of operating in high-risk environments.
Shad shares his path from growing up on a ranch to leading complex aviation and firefighting operations, offering a perspective shaped by decades spent in the field. Throughout the discussion, he reinforces a core belief that resonates deeply in MRO: maintainers are the foundation of successful aviation operations, and strong leadership starts with taking care of the people doing the work.
The conversation dives into situational awareness, communication, and trust—especially when the pressure is on. Shad emphasizes the importance of speaking up, staying curious, and recognizing that leadership is not about authority, but responsibility. These themes carry directly into a practical discussion on mishap response planning, where Shad highlights a common industry gap: plans that exist on paper but fail in execution due to a lack of training and ownership.
Drawing from his consulting work, Shad explains how outdated response plans, poor familiarity, and untrained teams often lead to confusion and chaos when incidents occur. He makes a compelling case for regular training, clear communication, and leadership accountability to ensure that when something goes wrong, teams know exactly what to do.
This episode offers valuable insight for maintenance leaders, managers, and technicians alike—reinforcing that safety culture, preparation, and effective leadership are inseparable in modern MRO operations.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Alpine Aerotech, Robinson Helicopter and be sure to follow our Instagram for even more awesome maintenance content @vertical.mro.