Episode #166: From Army Interrogator to Combat Pilot, Michael Benton Part I - The Helicopter Podcast

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part conversation on The Helicopter Podcast, host Halsey Schider sits down with Michael Benton, whose career in aviation began in an unexpected place. Before flight school, Michael served as a U.S. Army interrogator and Korean linguist, a background that shaped how he evaluates human behavior, decision-making, and risk. That path ultimately led him into Army warrant officer flight training, combat operations as a Kiowa Warrior pilot, and later into air medical operations, accident investigation, and aviation safety leadership.In Part 1, Michael shares stories from his military career, including combat missions, surviving a rocket strike on a wingman, and his first flight as pilot in command ending in a hydraulic failure and run-on landing. Part 2 continues the conversation with a deeper look at Michael’s work in accident investigation, safety culture, and his current role shaping aviation operations today.Thank you to our sponsors Hillsboro Heli Academy, Precision Aviation Group and Robinson Helicopter.