EPISODE · May 15, 2025 · 19 MIN
4,500 Lives Saved in 3 Years The Saudi HEMS Story
from Hangar X Studios · host John Ramstead
In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead sits down with Arnaud Martinez, CEO of The Helicopter Company (THC), to explore how Saudi Arabia has become the epicenter for next-generation air mobility. From humble beginnings—four people, one helicopter, and a single base—THC has rocketed to a thousand employees, 70 aircraft, and 15 operational bases across 70% of the Kingdom in just six years. Arnaud shares the company’s unwavering focus on safety, discipline, and people, highlights their impressive emergency medical services achievements, and dives into how Saudi Vision 2030 is accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like eVTOL. This conversation offers a front-row seat to one of the fastest-growing operators in the Middle East and a glimpse into the future of vertical flight. Episode Highlights A Unique Growth Story: How THC scaled from one helicopter to a fleet that’s adding 26 aircraft this year. People as the Core Product: The challenges and rewards of onboarding 30 new employees every month across 51 nationalities. Life-Saving Impact: The medical segment’s achievements—4,500 lives saved in three years with a zero-death record. Saudi Vision 2030 Alignment: Why “stand up and run” is more than a motto—it's a national mandate for innovation. eVTOL Readiness: Firsthand insights from Arnaud’s visit to U.S. eVTOL developers and why Saudi Arabia is the perfect testing ground. Key Points 00:00:03 – Arnaud paints Saudi Arabia as the ultimate launchpad for “crazy” new technology ideas. 00:01:22 – John introduces Hangar X Studios and today’s guest, Arnaud Martinez. 00:01:28 – The Helicopter Company’s founding mission: air mobility support for Neom and the Red Sea Giga-projects. 00:02:31 – Expansion into tourism, VIP transport, sports, filming, and emergency medical services. 00:03:02 – Rapid growth metrics: onboarding 15–20 aircraft and 30 people per month. 00:03:51 – Scaling from 4 to 1,000 employees, 1 to 70+ aircraft, and 1 to 15 bases covering 70% of Saudi Arabia. 00:05:09 – Embedding the company’s mission within the broader Saudi Vision 2030. 00:06:25 – Why people—pilots, technici...
What this episode covers
In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead sits down with Arnaud Martinez, CEO of The Helicopter Company (THC), to explore how Saudi Arabia has become the epicenter for next-generation air mobility. From humble beginnings—four people, one helicopter, and a single base—THC has rocketed to a thousand employees, 70 aircraft, and 15 operational bases across 70% of the Kingdom in just six years. Arnaud shares the company’s unwavering focus on safety, discipline, and people, highlights their impressive emergency medical services achievements, and dives into how Saudi Vision 2030 is accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like eVTOL. This conversation offers a front-row seat to one of the fastest-growing operators in the Middle East and a glimpse into the future of vertical flight. Episode Highlights A Unique Growth Story: How THC scaled from one helicopter to a fleet that’s adding 26 aircraft this year. People as the Core Product: The challenges and rewards of onboarding 30 new employees every month across 51 nationalities. Life-Saving Impact: The medical segment’s achievements—4,500 lives saved in three years with a zero-death record. Saudi Vision 2030 Alignment: Why “stand up and run” is more than a motto—it's a national mandate for innovation. eVTOL Readiness: Firsthand insights from Arnaud’s visit to U.S. eVTOL developers and why Saudi Arabia is the perfect testing ground. Key Points 00:00:03 – Arnaud paints Saudi Arabia as the ultimate launchpad for “crazy” new technology ideas. 00:01:22 – John introduces Hangar X Studios and today’s guest, Arnaud Martinez. 00:01:28 – The Helicopter Company’s founding mission: air mobility support for Neom and the Red Sea Giga-projects. 00:02:31 – Expansion into tourism, VIP transport, sports, filming, and emergency medical services. 00:03:02 – Rapid growth metrics: onboarding 15–20 aircraft and 30 people per month. 00:03:51 – Scaling from 4 to 1,000 employees, 1 to 70+ aircraft, and 1 to 15 bases covering 70% of Saudi Arabia. 00:05:09 – Embedding the company’s mission within the broader Saudi Vision 2030. 00:06:25 – Why people—pilots, technici...
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4,500 Lives Saved in 3 Years The Saudi HEMS Story
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