Episode #193: Behind the Uniform - Coast Guard Aviation & Mental Health | Ryan Vandehei

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The Helicopter Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, Halsey Schider sits down with Ryan Vandehei, a former Coast Guard helicopter pilot, to talk about his path into military aviation, the realities of Coast Guard flight training, and some of the personal challenges that have come with the journey.Ryan shares what drew him to the Coast Guard Academy with the goal of becoming a pilot and the highs and lows that followed—from struggling through his first weeks at the Academy and wondering whether he belonged there to eventually learning he had earned a coveted spot in flight school. He and Halsey also explore the different pathways available to aspiring Coast Guard aviators and what makes the service's approach to helicopter operations and rescue missions unique.The conversation also moves beyond flying as Ryan speaks candidly about his experiences with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and the pressures that can accompany being a high performer in military aviation. Ryan and Halsey discuss why those struggles can be difficult to acknowledge in a culture built around performance and resilience, and the value of having people around you who are willing to talk openly when things aren't going well.From earning a place in flight school to navigating the demands that come with military aviation, Ryan's story offers an inside look at becoming a Coast Guard helicopter pilot—and a reminder that some of the toughest challenges in aviation aren't necessarily encountered in the cockpit.Ryan's has also recorded another episode with the Flight Suit Friday podcast on mental health that can be listened to here.Thank you to this episode's sponsors, Airbus, Metro Aviation and Sellacopter.