Hangar X Studios

• Fly. Land. Survive | Dave Salem

  In this gripping episode recorded live at Verticon, former fighter pilot and host John Ramstead sits down with Dave Salem, founder of Eagle West Helicopters and former law enforcement officer turned production test pilot. Dave shares an extraordinary journey that spans from police patrol cars to executing full-down auto rotations at night using NVGs. This conversation dives deep into the world of advanced helicopter training, emergency preparedness, and the life-saving decisions pilots must make in seconds. Whether you're in aviation, leadership, or just inspired by those who push boundaries in service of others, Dave’s insights on real-world training and helicopter safety are nothing short of exceptional. Episode Highlights From law enforcement to aviation: Dave Salem’s unconventional path Inside the role of a production test pilot at MD Helicopters Advanced emergency procedures and real-world training philosophy Full-down auto-rotations at night — aided and unaided Night Vision Goggle (NVG) training and the challenges of perception in darkness Tailoring high-stakes scenarios to specific pilot roles Why instinctive training saves lives Key Points & Timestamps [00:00:03] The critical 15–30 second window after an engine failure [00:01:23] Introduction to Dave Salem and his background in law enforcement [00:02:07] Early influence: Dave’s father, a Vietnam-era rescue pilot [00:03:06] Transition to MD Helicopters and becoming a production test pilot [00:04:04] The aircraft certification process explained [00:04:55] Volunteering with Pinal County's elite search and rescue team [00:05:48] Starting Eagle West Helicopters and identifying a training gap [00:06:53] What is a full-down auto-rota...

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• Smarter Vision. Safer Flight. Better Outcomes. | Bas Gouverneur

  In this insightful episode of Hangar X Studios, host and former Navy fighter pilot John Ramstead sits down with Bas Gouverneur, CEO of Daedalean, at Verticon, a hub of next-gen aerospace innovation. Together, they explore how AI is revolutionizing cockpit technology, enhancing flight safety, and transforming the way pilots interact with the skies. Bas dives into Daedalean’s groundbreaking work in AI-enabled avionics — including bird and drone detection, GPS-denied navigation, landing guidance, and visual traffic detection. As the aviation industry inches closer to autonomous flight, Bas shares how AI is becoming a trusted co-pilot, not a replacement, and what that means for the future role of pilots. Whether you're an aviator, aerospace professional, or technology enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for understanding the future of intelligent aviation systems. Episode Highlights AI-powered “second pair of eyes” for pilots Optical detection of non-cooperative traffic (e.g., birds, paragliders, drones) Flight guidance in GPS-denied environments Certification journey with EASA and FAA The future of pilot roles in automated cockpits Collaborations with aviation giants like Moog and Leonardo Key Points with Timestamps [00:00:03] — Daedalean provides 240-degree optical visibility to assist pilots in detecting non-cooperative airborne objects [00:01:46] — What Daedalean is: AI-enabled avionics that include detection, positioning, and landing guidance [00:02:27] — Bas’s aerospace engineering background and career journey to Daedalean [00:03:47] — The safety benefits of AI in aviation, especially for smaller aircraft [00:04:48] — Key functions: bird and drone detection, GPS-denied navigation, helipad landing assistance [00:05:44] — Integration with cockpit systems like HUDs or Garmins [00:06:46] — Why adding another sen...

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• Build Fast. Crash Faster. Learn Quick. Scale Smarter. | Steve Griessel

  In this high-octane episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead is joined by Steve Griessel, a seasoned entrepreneur and aerospace innovator, to unpack the seismic shifts in modern warfare, rapid prototyping, and the mindset needed to lead breakthrough innovations in aerospace. Steve shares insights from his journey as a turnaround expert and his work with Paramount and global defense projects, illustrating how disruptive thinking, model-based design, and iterative prototyping are changing how aerospace systems are conceived, built, and deployed. From the battlefield transformation caused by drones to the power of simulation and digital twins, this conversation lays out a blueprint for aerospace leaders, innovators, and investors aiming to thrive in a rapidly evolving defense landscape. Episode Highlights Why crashing prototypes is a feature, not a flaw The psychological and tactical transformation caused by autonomous drones in warfare How model-based design, AI, and quantum computing will reshape aerospace The story behind the Bronco II—how capabilities-first thinking built a revolutionary aircraft Lessons for aerospace investors: what mindsets to look for in high-potential startups The importance of asking better questions in the age of AI and simulation Key Points with Timestamps [00:00:00] | Rapid prototyping mindset: Why being ready to crash a prototype is critical [00:02:19] | Steve’s role transition from Paramount CEO to family office, and his ongoing work in aerospace [00:04:16] | Shifting engineering mindsets: From rigidity to radical innovation [00:06:09] | The Ukrainian war’s impact: How $50 drones are defeating multi-million dollar tanks [00:09:30] | The value of optionally piloted aircraft and flexible mission pla...

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• Graphene, Batteries, and the Future of Flight | Charlie Burgoyne | Charlie Burgoyne

  In this exhilarating episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead is joined by Charlie Burgoyne, founder and CEO of Valkyrie, a cutting-edge scientific R&D firm likened to a private DARPA. From miniaturizing a data center to fit inside an Altoids tin and sending it to the moon, to revolutionary breakthroughs in battery tech and graphene materials for aerospace, Charlie unpacks the present and future of innovation. Charlie shares his experiences across NASA, DARPA, and Valkyrie, exploring AI, defense applications, autonomous vehicles, and the future of air mobility. The conversation weaves deep scientific insights with real-world applications, all rooted in values-driven innovation. Whether you're a technologist, pilot, investor, or simply curious about where aerospace and materials science are heading, this episode is a masterclass in what's possible when stubborn curiosity meets breakthrough science. Episode Highlights How Valkyrie’s tech ended up on the moon Shrinking a data center from pizza box to chewing gum size Sodium batteries with 80x lithium-ion density Graphene’s multifaceted future: from wings to waste disposal Why autonomous flight is easier than autonomous driving The future of EVTOLs and urban air mobility Creating science teams built on honor, love, grit, and hope What makes Valkyrie a transformative force in industry and defense Key Points & Timestamps [00:00:00] Charlie's background in government, NASA, DARPA, and how it shaped Valkyrie [00:02:16] Sending AI-enabled data storage to the moon with Lone Star Lunar and Valkyrie [00:04:40] Valkyrie’s mission: American science serving American values [00:06:01] Company culture at Valkyrie: built on values and low attrition [00:07:24] Sodium-based batteries: 80x density over lithium-ion [00:09:03] Introduction to graphene and its applications in tran...

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• Marketing a Drone Company in 2025

  In this episode of Hangar X Studios, host John Ramstead welcomes Cassidy Will, founder of Labradorly Marketing, to discuss her journey from recent college graduate to a rising entrepreneur at the heart of North Dakota’s UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) ecosystem. Cassidy shares how her roots in Grand Forks, a fortuitous internship, and a web of community connections led to the creation of her boutique marketing consultancy, now serving key players in the drone and VTOL space. The conversation delves into the intricacies of marketing within the UAS sector, the pivotal role of events like Verticon and Exponential, and how Cassidy helps early-stage companies like Meadowlark and The Hive build strategic visibility. Packed with insight into the unique business climate of North Dakota and the fast-evolving aerospace innovation landscape, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, marketers, and aviation professionals alike. Episode Highlights: Cassidy’s unexpected journey into entrepreneurship during COVID-19 The origin story of Labradorly Marketing Key differences in marketing strategies for UAS compared to traditional sectors The strategic role of industry conferences in aerospace growth How Grand Forks and The Hive are fostering innovation in North Dakota Cassidy’s vision for the future of her business and consulting in the UAS space Key Points with Timestamps: [00:00:00] Cassidy reflects on her original post-college career expectations and her surprising turn toward entrepreneurship [00:01:42] Launching Labradorly Marketing from an internship and community mentorship [00:02:54] Explanation of The Hive as a UAS-focused tech accelerator and Cassidy's marketing role there [00:04:11] The complexity of marketing in the UAS industry due to multi-sector client types [00:06:14] Meadowlark’s branding phase and the importance of early-stage strategic visibility [00:06:44] Why UAS conferences like Verticon and Exponential are business-critical for deal-making and growth [00:08:23] Cassidy’s love for the Grand Forks business climate and its support for young founders

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