Episode 250 - From the RAF to the Royal Navy: A Conversation with Jon Duke

Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine . Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter! This episode was recorded at European Rotors in Amsterdam in November 2024. In this episode I was able to sit down with Jon Duke. Jon is a contributing writer for Vertical Magazine and has an extensive background in aviation, including his flying career in the United Kingdom's military. Jon was an air traffic controller in the Royal Air Force and a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. During the conversation, Jon shares his remarkable journey from a young aviation enthusiast to air traffic controller and, ultimately, a helicopter pilot. We'll explore the unique challenges faced during search-and-rescue missions, and the invaluable lessons learned throughout his career. This discussion will emphasize the significance of managing confidence in aviation, transitioning from search-and-rescue operations to broader military roles, and the essentials of effective communication in air traffic control. Jon also spent time as a flight instructor. In this conversation, he reflects on his experiences with students and highlights the importance of mentoring the next generation of aviators. We also have an opportunity to touch on his contributions to aviation journalism through Vertical Magazine and the vital role it plays in promoting careers in this dynamic field. Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group , CNC Technologies and Airbus .