Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with his longtime friend Tony Melendrez, a former colleague from their Maverick Helicopters days. Tony shares his unconventional journey into aviation, sparked by a desire to blend his firefighting family background with helicopter flying. Tony’s path took him from flight school in California to tour flying in Myrtle Beach ...
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Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with his longtime friend Tony Melendrez, a former colleague from their Maverick Helicopters days. Tony shares his unconventional journey into aviation, sparked by a desire to blend his firefighting family background with helicopter flying. Tony’s path took him from flight school in California to tour flying in Myrtle Beach ...
Episode #145 - Blades of Valor: Lee Benson - Vietnam to FireHawks - The Helicopter Podcast
The Helicopter Podcast
1 hour 3 minutes
1 month ago
Episode #145 - Blades of Valor: Lee Benson - Vietnam to FireHawks - The Helicopter Podcast
Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this gripping episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider welcomes Lee Benson, a 2025 MHM Blades of Valor Award recipient, whose 15,000-plus hours as a helicopter pilot have left an indelible mark on the industry. From his early days as a Vietnam War pilot at 19, Lee transitioned to commercial flying in the “Wild West” era of the 1970s, supported naval operations, and served 27 years wi...
The Helicopter Podcast
Send us a text Welcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part episode of The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider reconnects with his longtime friend Tony Melendrez, a former colleague from their Maverick Helicopters days. Tony shares his unconventional journey into aviation, sparked by a desire to blend his firefighting family background with helicopter flying. Tony’s path took him from flight school in California to tour flying in Myrtle Beach ...
