The Vertical MRO Podcast

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, where we explore the fascinating world of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Our episodes feature MRO experts who share invaluable tribal knowledge and stories that are sure to inspire current and aspiring industry maintainers.

The Vertical MRO Podcast is a leisure podcast hosted by Vertical HeliCASTS, with 134 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Vertical HeliCASTS hosts The Vertical MRO Podcast, a leisure show with 134 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #111

  Episode #111: The Weight of Keeping Public Safety Aircraft Flying | Nicolas Ianiero

  Aug 17, 20261h 13m

  Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast , brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus . For this episode of Vertical MRO, recorded live at APSCON 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Nicolas Ianiero, aircraft maintenance engineer with Canadian Helicopters supporting the York Regional Police Air Support Unit and the recipient of the 2026 APSA Technician of the Year Award. Nicolas shares the journey that took him from aspiring pilot to licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, including his introduction to helicopter maintenance and the experiences that shaped his career. Along the way, he reflects on the value of mentorship, continuous learning, and embracing opportunities that weren't part of the original plan. The conversation also explores the unique responsibility of supporting public safety aviation. Whether responding to missing persons, critical incidents, or life-saving missions, Nicolas explains how maintainers play a vital role long before an aircraft ever leaves the hangar. It's a perspective that highlights the dedication, professionalism, and quiet commitment behind every successful mission. Congratulations to Nicolas on being recognized as the 2026 APSA Technician of the Year and thank you for sharing your story with the Vertical MRO community. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Precision Aviation Group and Airbus Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  Episode #110

  Episode 110: What Aviation Accidents Teach Us About Safety | Ray Bennett - Part II

  Aug 10, 202643 min

  Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast , brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus . In Part II of their conversation with aviation leader Ray Bennett, hosts Ronnie Ries and Faith Ortega take a deeper look at how the aviation industry responds when safety is put to the test. Drawing on firsthand experience supporting operators through major industry events, Ray shares his perspective on accident response, crisis decision-making, and the challenges organizations face when critical information is limited and stakes are at their highest. The discussion includes reflections on the 2016 EC225 accident and the far-reaching changes that followed across engineering, maintenance, monitoring, and operational practices. Ray provides insight into the realities of fleet groundings, industry-wide investigations, and the difficult decisions leaders must make in the immediate aftermath of a major event. Part II offers a thoughtful look at how aviation learns from tragedy, why continuous improvement matters, and how those lessons ultimately contribute to a safer industry for everyone. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Robinson Helicopter and Metro Aviation . Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  Episode #109

  Episode 109: What Aviation Accidents Teach Us About Safety | Ray Bennett - Part I

  Aug 3, 202653 min

  Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast , brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus . For this episode of Vertical MRO, hosts Ronnie Ries and Faith Ortega sit down with aviation leader Ray Bennett for a conversation about the people, values, and experiences that shape safety in aviation. Drawing from a career that spans operators, maintenance organizations, manufacturers, and industry leadership roles, Ray reflects on the lessons learned throughout his journey and the importance of integrity, accountability, and engineering rigor in aviation maintenance. The discussion explores how strong safety cultures are built, why leadership matters, and the role every technician, engineer, and manager plays in creating an environment where concerns can be raised and lessons can be shared. Along the way, Ray shares stories from the field that illustrate how small decisions can have lasting impacts on both safety and organizational culture. Part I focuses on the foundations of aviation safety and the leadership principles that help organizations build trust, resilience, and operational excellence. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Alipine Aerotech and Precision Aviation Group Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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  The Vertical MRO Podcast

  Vertical MRO Alerts: By Bell - Ep 9: Bell 429 Main Rotor Mast Inspection

  Jul 29, 20264 min

  Welcome to Vertical MRO Alerts, presented by Bell! In this Alert, Bell 429 Product Support Engineering Lead Sebastien Rousseau discusses Alert Service Bulletin 429-26-74 , which introduces a one-time inspection of certain Bell 429 main rotor mast assemblies for machining marks on the inner diameter. Sebastien explains Bell's investigation that these machining marks can affect mast fatigue life, and the required actions based on the mast's accumulated hours. He also reviews the compliance timelines, inspection requirements, and the latest updates included in Revision A, including mandatory borescope use and a simplified inspection procedure that reduces the maintenance required to accomplish the bulletin. Maintainers who have questions or are uncertain about their inspection findings are encouraged to contact Bell Product Support for assistance. For full details and compliance requirements, operators should always refer directly to Alert Service Bulletin 429-26-74 . The full library of episodes is available to listen to on demand . We want to hear from you! – techtalk@bellflight.com Need help with your Bell helicopter? – productsupport@bellflight.com

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  Episode #107

  AI Won't Replace Maintainers—But It Will Change Their Jobs | Reinaldo Caceres - Part I - Ep: 107

  Jul 20, 202646 min

  Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast , brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus . For this episode of Vertical MRO, host Jon Gray and co-host Howie sit down with Reinaldo Caceres, founder and CEO of Nabu Pro , to explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape aviation operations and maintenance. A commercial pilot turned technology entrepreneur, Reinaldo shares the journey that led him from the cockpit into software development and explains why he believes AI has the potential to become one of the most impactful tools available to aviation professionals. The conversation focuses on practical applications rather than hype. Jon, Howie, and Reinaldo discuss how AI can help maintenance and operations teams work more efficiently, reduce administrative burdens, analyze information faster, and support better decision-making without replacing the expertise and judgment of experienced professionals. Part I explores where AI is already delivering value today and how aviation organizations can begin leveraging these tools while maintaining the human oversight that remains critical to safe operations. Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Rotorcraft Support Inc , Alpine Aerotech and Airbus . Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!

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