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The Helicopter PodcastAuthor: Halsey Schider
Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, with your host Halsey Schider!This podcast is for helicopter pilots, maintainers, and enthusiasts! Whether you've been in the industry for 30 years or are just someone that loves helicopters, this podcast is for you! The podcasts will feature guests from a wide array of industry sectors to have casual conversation, answer questions, give sound advice, and talk shop. Finally, a podcast produced by helicopter professionals for all types of helicopter people! Language: en-us Genres: Aviation, Business, Careers, Leisure Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode #165: Testing, Certification, and the Making of the H140 | Airbus Helicopters – The Helicopter Podcast
Episode 165
Tuesday, 10 February, 2026
Send a textWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Dirk Petry, vice president of the light twin helicopters program at Airbus Helicopters, to discuss the unveiling of the H140 and what it takes to design a helicopter with life-saving missions at its core.Recorded around the excitement of European Rotors, the conversation explores how the H140 was shaped through direct collaboration with air medical operators, ensuring the aircraft meets real-world operational needs. Dirk walks through the development journey, from early concept to flight testing, highlighting how structured pilot feedback and close coordination between engineering, test pilots, and customers help mature the aircraft throughout the certification process.They also discuss why purpose matters in helicopter design, particularly in air medical operations where cabin size, performance, and operating efficiency can directly impact patient care. Dirk shares insight into the early market response to the H140, including the strong reception at the show and more than 70 customer commitments already announced.From certification challenges and testing campaigns to the role of customer input in shaping modern rotorcraft, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Airbus Helicopters approaches innovation — and why the H140 is positioned to play a significant role in the future of air medical operations.Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Quantum Helicopters and Vertical Aviation International.
