Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast — hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

Today, we’re joined by Michael and Linda Benton from VyClimb for an honest, thoughtful, and incredibly relevant discussion on safety culture, organizational values, and leadership in aviation—especially in the air medical world.

We dig into the real factors that shape safe operations every day: From psychological safety and communication, to fatigue and training realism, to how organizations can align their stated values with what employees actually experience on the line.

We also explore generational shifts in work expectations, the challenge of “speaking up” in high-pressure environments, and why a truly effective safety management system has to be more than a binder on a shelf—it has to be lived, practiced, and supported from the top down that fosters a safety culture where people truly feel empowered to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

This is a conversation about building trust, developing leaders, and creating a culture where safety isn’t reactive—it’s intentional.
So buckle up—because this one is packed with perspective, experience, and takeaways we hope every one of you bring back to your bases.

Let’s get into it.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode the rotors are turning, the banter is strong, and the stories remind us why this mission matters.

Today, we’re joined by Aaron Hamm, a seasoned helicopter pilot with a truly unique aviation journey. Aaron has experienced this profession from both sides of the stretcher and the cockpit, and his story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose.

We dive into his experiences in flight instruction, crew resource management in the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) environment, and the realities of operating in high-pressure situations — balanced with the humor and camaraderie that keep crews grounded. Aaron shares how a life-changing accident reshaped his perspective on aviation, medicine, and teamwork, and how determination and community helped him beat the odds and follow his dream to flight.

It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about dedication, following your dreams no matter what life throws at you, and never losing sight of the impact we have on the patients and teammates we serve.

Listeners can dive even deeper into Aaron’s remarkable journey in an upcoming feature profile in the Winter issue of Valor, which expands on his path from patient to pilot and the lessons that continue to shape his approach to HEMS and teamwork.

So, strap in and enjoy the ride on this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Spectrum Aeromed.

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode the rotors are turning, the banter is strong, and the stories remind us why this mission matters.

Today, we’re joined by Aaron Hamm, a seasoned helicopter pilot with a truly unique aviation journey. Aaron has experienced this profession from both sides of the stretcher and the cockpit, and his story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose.

We dive into his experiences in flight instruction, crew resource management in the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) environment, and the realities of operating in high-pressure situations — balanced with the humor and camaraderie that keep crews grounded. Aaron shares how a life-changing accident reshaped his perspective on aviation, medicine, and teamwork, and how determination and community helped him beat the odds and follow his dream to flight.

It’s an honest, uplifting conversation about dedication, following your dreams no matter what life throws at you, and never losing sight of the impact we have on the patients and teammates we serve.

Listeners can dive even deeper into Aaron’s remarkable journey in an upcoming feature profile in the Winter issue of Valor, which expands on his path from patient to pilot and the lessons that continue to shape his approach to HEMS and teamwork.

So, strap in and enjoy the ride on this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

Today… the keys have been temporarily handed over.

In this special takeover episode, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely from the Hangar Z Podcast step into the cockpit for a fun, reflective, and forward-looking conversation as we mark one full year of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. From the moments that defined our first year to the conversations that challenged, inspired, and connected our community, this episode is all about where we’ve been—and where we’re headed next.

Listen in to this two-part episode as Jon and Jack take us hostage to dive into what’s on the horizon for the podcast, what we’re most excited about moving forward, and how emerging technology and innovation are shaping the future of public safety and air medical operations. It’s a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at the mission, the momentum, and the ideas driving this industry forward.

So strap in and celebrate the journey with us as we hover into the next phase of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast – the takeover starts now.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

Today… the keys have been temporarily handed over.

In this special takeover episode, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely from the Hangar Z Podcast step into the cockpit for a fun, reflective, and forward-looking conversation as we mark one full year of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast. From the moments that defined our first year to the conversations that challenged, inspired, and connected our community, this episode is all about where we’ve been—and where we’re headed next.

Listen in to this two-part episode as Jon and Jack take us hostage to dive into what’s on the horizon for the podcast, what we’re most excited about moving forward, and how emerging technology and innovation are shaping the future of public safety and air medical operations. It’s a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at the mission, the momentum, and the ideas driving this industry forward.

So strap in and celebrate the journey with us as we hover into the next phase of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast – the takeover starts now.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine.

Today, we sit down with the team from Carilion Life-Guard for a groundbreaking conversation about one of the most forward-leaning safety initiatives in the industry: Their incapacitated pilot program.

In this episode, we explore how this effort came to life—its origins, its challenges, and the meticulous procedures designed to protect crews when seconds matter. The Carilion team walks us through the training, communication strategies, and human factors that drive their approach, as well as the technological integrations that enhance situational awareness and safety in the cockpit.

You’ll hear candid insights about overcoming resistance, strengthening crew resource management (CRM), and shaping protocols that crews can trust in high-stress environments. From checklist discipline to crew camaraderie, this conversation underscores the shared responsibility we all carry when it comes to safety.

And as we look ahead, the team shares an exciting vision for the future—where emerging technologies and increased automation may one day transform how we respond when a pilot becomes incapacitated.

So strap in as this forward-thinking episode blends innovation, teamwork, and mission-focused readiness at every level. Let’s get into it.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine.

Today, we sit down with the team from Carilion Life-Guard for a groundbreaking conversation about one of the most forward-leaning safety initiatives in the industry: Their incapacitated pilot program.

In this episode, we explore how this effort came to life—its origins, its challenges, and the meticulous procedures designed to protect crews when seconds matter. The Carilion team walks us through the training, communication strategies, and human factors that drive their approach, as well as the technological integrations that enhance situational awareness and safety in the cockpit.

You’ll hear candid insights about overcoming resistance, strengthening crew resource management (CRM), and shaping protocols that crews can trust in high-stress environments. From checklist discipline to crew camaraderie, this conversation underscores the shared responsibility we all carry when it comes to safety.

And as we look ahead, the team shares an exciting vision for the future—where emerging technologies and increased automation may one day transform how we respond when a pilot becomes incapacitated.

So strap in as this forward-thinking episode blends innovation, teamwork, and mission-focused readiness at every level. Let’s get into it.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome back to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor magazine.

In today’s episode, we sit down with researcher and industry expert Russell Griffin for an honest and eye-opening conversation about what truly drives safety culture.

Together, we unpack the human side of aviation safety—exploring how communication, trust, and vulnerability influence the decisions crews make under pressure. Russell shares his personal journey and groundbreaking research on crew dynamics, leadership, and the powerful role of “safety voice” in keeping teams aligned and patients safe.

From the realities of high-stress environments to the impact of organizational structures on well-being, this episode sheds light on the internal and external pressures that shape situational awareness and performance in critical moments. It’s a conversation about leadership, accountability, and recognizing the good—because building a positive safety culture isn’t just policy … it’s people.

Buckle up. This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Coptersafety, Precision Aviation Group, and Spectrum Aeromed.