The Vertical MRO Podcast

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Drawing from his consulting work, Shad explains how outdated response plans, poor familiarity, and untrained teams often lead to confusion and chaos when incidents occur.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.

Welcome to another episode of Vertical MRO Tech Talk presented by Bell.

In this Bell Tech Talk episode, host Jon Gray is joined by Eric Lachance, 525 product support engineering lead, and Gilbert Gaudreault, 407 product support engineering lead, to walk through the structural repair process—from initial damage identification to engineering-approved repair solutions. Drawing on decades of experience supporting Bell aircraft, they explain how structural repair requests are reviewed, analyzed, and prioritized, and why clear communication between operators, product support, and engineering teams is critical.

The discussion highlights common sources of structural damage, including corrosion and hangar rash, and emphasizes the importance of accurate measurements, thorough documentation, and clear photographs when submitting repair requests. Eric and Gilbert also discuss how repair complexity can vary widely depending on the nature and location of the damage, and how proper upfront information helps reduce delays and unnecessary back-and-forth.

The conversation also touches on emerging tools and technologies, including early applications of 3D printing, that may help improve repair efficiency in the future. Throughout the episode, the focus remains on minimizing aircraft downtime, maintaining structural integrity, and supporting operators with practical guidance that leads to timely, effective repair solutions.
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Need help with your Bell helicopter? Email us at [email protected] or visit https://www.bellflight.com/support/commercial.

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

Recorded live at the Kelowna Vertical MRO Conference, this panel—hosted by Ronnie Ries—brings together operators who have spent the past year implementing Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) across their fleets. With Ronnie guiding the discussion, the panelists share what motivated their organizations to adopt HUMS, the research and purchasing considerations that shaped their decisions, and the early challenges of installation and integration.
Mark Paulson and Grayson Barrows of Precision offer firsthand insights from managing HUMS on their internal fleet of Airbus 332 Super Puma helicopters that have been operating with HUMS since June 2024. Mike Milosevich of Blackcomb Helicopters adds perspective from the engineering and implementation side, outlining how HUMS changed their maintenance planning and the value it’s delivered on aircraft such as the EC135.
Together, the panel explores the learning curve of training requirements, data interpretation, technician buy-in, and even generational differences in adopting new technology. They highlight how earlier fault detection, streamlined inspections, and better trend monitoring are already improving safety and reducing costs. The conversation also touches on the growing importance of data-sharing among operators and what the future may hold as HUMS capabilities expand and inspection intervals evolve.
Fueled by great audience questions, this interactive session delivers practical takeaways for operators adopting HUMS or maximizing the systems already in place.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Essential Turbines, Precision Aviation Group and Airbus.

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

In this episode, Jon Gray moderates a timely panel discussion with industry leaders who come together for a wide-ranging conversation on what it truly takes to manage helicopter fleets in today’s MRO environment. Recorded at Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing’s facility in Kelowna, Canada, the discussion blends real-world operational experience with long-term thinking around people, aircraft, and organizational culture.
The panel explores the continued importance of legacy aircraft, the pressures created by supply chain constraints, and how evolving technology is reshaping the way fleets are maintained and supported. Just as importantly, they reinforce that MRO is not simply a job—it’s a career built on experience, mentorship, and a commitment to continual learning.
Labor challenges take center stage as the group discusses recruitment, retention, and the responsibility of developing the next generation of AMEs through shadowing, coaching, and real-world exposure. Networking and community are highlighted as essential tools in an industry where collaboration between operators often makes the difference between resilience and disruption.
From fleet replacement strategies to mission equipment integration, this episode captures the complexity of modern helicopter MRO and reinforces a common theme: sustainable operations depend just as much on investing in people as they do in aircraft.
Panelists featured in this episode include Sheri Totten of Boeing Distribution Services, Scott Hayward of Alpine Helicopters, Jan Booij of Skytek, and Bryan Eaton of Canadian Helicopters.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Metro Aviation, Alpine Aerotech and Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing.

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

In this episode of the Vertical MRO Podcast, Jon Gray and co-host Howie Murray sit down with Brad Leonard, owner of KonectaUSA, and Dave Schilling, director of business development, to explore one of the quiet challenges facing modern maintenance operations: reliable connectivity inside the hangar.

As MRO teams become increasingly digital—relying on tablets, cloud-based manuals, real-time collaboration, and GPS or satellite testing—poor signal coverage can quickly become a bottleneck. Brad and Dave explain why traditional connectivity often breaks down in hangar environments and how KonectaUSA’s solutions are designed specifically to support maintenance teams on the shop floor.

The conversation dives into real-world use cases, including site surveys, installation challenges, and what it takes to ensure technicians can access critical information when and where they need it. Brad and Dave also share their own career paths and how working in aerospace has led them into some uniquely restricted environments, reinforcing how closely technology, infrastructure, and maintenance readiness are connected.

This episode highlights how behind-the-scenes connectivity plays a growing role in efficiency, accuracy, and uptime—and why solving it is becoming essential for today’s MRO operations.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Robinson Helicopter, Airbus and Vertical.