HawkEye

The Aviation Safety Podcast

Welcome to HawkEye! Our channel is a place where we can share informal discussions on topics affecting aviation safety.

HawkEye: The Aviation Safety Podcast
Current Episodes

Episode 5:
UAS and the Road Ahead

with guest Lamar Ellis,

AUVSI Georgia Chapter President, AUVSI Chapter Council Chairman, President of Drone Education Services

In this episode, Matthew West sits down with Lamar Ellis, President of the AUVSI Georgia Chapter and President of Drone Education Services, for an insightful discussion on drone safety, professionalism, and the evolving UAS industry. Together, they explore recent industry changes, personal experiences that have shaped their approach to operations, and key resources available to support drone operators.

Note: This conversation was recorded prior to the FAA’s release of the Part 108 BVLOS NPRM.

This informal conversation emphasizes continuous learning, shared industry experience, and raising the bar for safe and responsible UAS operations.

Episode 4:
Advancing Air Medical Mechanic Excellence

with guest Tom Johnson,

Maintenance Operations Director of Apollo Medflight and Founder of the Air Medical Mechanics Organization (AMMO).

Join host Matthew West as he sits down with Tom Johnson, Maintenance Operations Director at Apollo MedFlight. In this compelling episode, Tom discusses the launch and mission of the Air Medical Mechanics Organization (AMMO)—a newly established professional body dedicated to enhancing maintenance standards and safety across the air medical sector.

Tom outlines AMMO’s core objectives: Promoting excellence in air medical maintenance practices, driving innovation in procedures, tools, and techniques. Learn how AMMO is setting a new benchmark for professionalism and safety in the specialized world of air medical maintenance.

Episode 3:
Crew Resource Management and the Reluctant Safety Activist

with guest Randy Mains,

Author and Chief CRM Instructor,

Oregon Aero.

Matt interviews renowned crew resource management facilitator and aviation safety professional Randy Mains. We talk about his fascinating career journey, his experiences as a CRM instructor and the importance of personal connection in safety training. He also discusses his many books on the helicopter industry and his role as a safety activist.

We look at the positive trends in helicopter safety technology, the changing role of crews in UAS operations, the importance of focusing on the basics in safety programs and the need for leadership buy-in.

Episode 2:
Safety Innovation -
The ATS Device

with guest Tyson Phillips,

Founder,

AT Systems LLC.

In this podcast, Matt interviews Tyson Phillips from AT Systems about their revolutionary aviation safety product, the ATS Device. This incredible electronic training visor system enables immersive degraded visual environment (DVE) training and simulation.

The conversation spans multiple aviation topics, includes the benefits of this system, scenario-based training, organizations learning from accidents and the changing culture of organizations sharing their mistakes.

Episode 1:
We Speak the Same Safety Language

with guest Juliette Floyd,

EHS Manager at Ken's Foods Inc.

Did you say food? In this first podcast Matthew takes an unusual approach to aviation safety by interviewing Juliette Floyd, Environment, Health and Safety Manager for the well renowned Kens Foods, Inc. in Las Vegas, NV.

With a look into a different industry we can view the similarities and differences in day-to-day safety operations and identify key takeaways to consider for our own aviation safety programs.