Episode 99: Broward Sheriff’s Aviation Maintenance: Troubleshooting & Workforce - Blades of Valor Tour

Welcome to the Vertical MRO Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Plus.In this episode of Vertical MRO, hosts Jack and Jon sit down with Thomas Edison, director of maintenance for the Broward Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit.Thomas shares his path into aviation maintenance and what it takes to support mission-critical aircraft in a law enforcement environment, where uptime directly impacts operations.The conversation focuses on the complexity of helicopter maintenance and real-world troubleshooting, including diagnosing issues with mission equipment where the root cause isn’t immediately obvious. It’s a practical look at the importance of thorough inspection, documentation, and system knowledge.They also discuss a growing industry challenge—workforce development—and the need for stronger aviation maintenance programs to support the next generation.For maintainers and operators, this episode offers a grounded look at troubleshooting, mission readiness, and building a sustainable MRO workforce.Special thanks to this episode's sponsors, Airbus and Precision Aviation Group. Thank you to the 2026 Blades of Valor sponsor, Switlik, and the support of Massif Flight Suits. Without your sponsorship and support, this tour would not be possible.Also, be sure to check out Vertical MRO's Instagram channel for even more awesome content highlighting the awesome work being done to keep the rotorcraft community flying!