The Danger You Can't See: Fatigue in Public Safety Aviation Part 1 | Ep 366

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Valor Plus. Today's episode is a special collaboration with our friends from the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and we're tackling a topic that impacts every one of us in aviation — fatigue. Joining us for this outstanding panel discussion are the hosts of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider. We are also honored to welcome a highly respected aviator with decades of experience, former HEMS pilot Woody McClendon. Fatigue is truly the danger you can't see. Unlike weather, mechanical issues, or other operational hazards, fatigue can quietly affect our judgment, decision-making, situational awareness, and overall performance long before we recognize its impact. Whether you're a pilot, TFO, crew member, mechanic, dispatcher, or supervisor, fatigue affects all of us. And in public safety aviation, the demands of shift work can make managing fatigue an even greater challenge. The reality is that fatigue is not a possibility — it is an inevitability. The question is not if fatigue will contribute to an incident or accident in public safety aviation, but when. That is why open and honest conversations like this one are so important. In this episode, we'll discuss safety initiatives designed to mitigate fatigue, the role of flight risk assessment tools, crew readiness, organizational responsibility, and personal accountability. Most importantly, our panel shares real-world experiences and lessons learned from careers spent operating in demanding environments where fatigue was often a constant factor. This is a candid, informative, and thought-provoking discussion that every aviation professional should hear. So settle in and join us as we explore one of the most significant — and often overlooked — threats to aviation safety. This is the Hangar Z Podcast in collaboration with the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and the conversation starts right now. Read the related article by Tania Glenn - Sleep Under Stress in the Spring 2026 issue of Valor Plus.Thank you to our sponsors Bell, BLR Aerospace and Wysong Enterprises.