Tom Nef and Peter Anderson are pilots for  S.T.A.R.S. , an air ambulance organization providing care to rural, remote, and indigenous communicates across Western Canada. In this conversation, we’ll break down some of the technical aspects of flying in such a remote environment, and discuss the mental element of flying air ambulance; how a sense of community can give pilots relief  in emotionally challenging roles.  

In this episode of Push to Talk,  I’ll be looking back to my time flying helicopter relief in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Joining me today is Retired Army Chief and Purple Heart recipient Frank Kanaka, who flew alongside me those five days. Frank and I will look back and delve into the devastation we witnessed, share our experience navigating city through our relief efforts, and reflect on the kindness and hospitality we received in the face of so much suffering. 

Faith Ortega is a Helicopter A&P Mechanic at Air Evac Lifeteam in St. Louis,  Missouri. Faith runs the popular “HowToHelicopter” Tiktok and Instagram accounts, where she provides viewers a look into the industry with career advice and day-in-the-life style content.In this conversation with Faith, we’ll examine aviation outreach in today’s world.Faith will break down the origins of HowToHelicopter; how the page she started as a fun pastime grew a following of over two hundred thousand people across her different platforms. We’ll learn about Faith’s personal backstory as a mechanic; and the philosophy she brings to her new role as industry ambassador.Then, we’ll talk career paths. How an interested young person can get their foot in the door, and take their first steps toward changing our industry. And, much more.

Oliver is an experimental test pilot with Airbus. In this conversation with Olivier, we’ll explore his pivotal role in the development of the Airbus H160. 

Nataly Jahchan is a Human Factors and Ergonomics Specialist at Airbus. In her role, Nataly researches human behavior in aviation, and develops intuitive ways for people to work with the machines they operate. In this conversation with Nataly, we’ll examine the science of human factors. We’ll talk about the impact small details make in our comprehension. Why do we pay more attention to safety labels written in lowercase? And why are warning alerts more effective in a female voice? We’ll break down at the science of language — how errors in wording have led to disaster in flight, and how we can communicate better as a multi-lingual industry. Then, we’ll look to the future; how people like Nataly are changing the way we interact with our aircraft.