Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

This two-part series was recorded at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department hangar at San Bernardino International Airport in California.

The conversation unfolds as we talk about their recent acquisition of the new Bell 412 EPX helicopter.

Our guests, Sgt Jon Anderson, Deputy Doug Brimmer, and recently retired Lt now Reserve Deputy Pilot Danny Futscher, share their rich backgrounds in law enforcement and aviation, drawing inspiration from family legacies that have shaped their careers.

Together, they discuss the process of transitioning to the new helicopter, highlighting its benefits for their mission sets.

Doug Brimmer shines a light on the department's historical society, emphasizing the importance of preserving law enforcement artifacts that tell the story of their dedicated service. The size and diversity of San Bernardino County come into focus, revealing how these factors uniquely impact their operations and response strategies.

Insights from this conversation highlight their aviation program's logistics, from fueling helicopters to building essential partnerships with other agencies. They share the value of having sworn pilots and the challenges faced in their recruitment efforts, all while navigating the varied geographic landscapes and extreme weather conditions of the region.

This episode is a captivating blend of adventure, professionalism, and the personal stories that make up the fabric of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Aviation Unit.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, SHOTOVER and Metro Aviation.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

This episode was recorded on location in Nashville from the Nashville Metro Police aviation hangar, as part of The Hangar Z Vertical Valor Blades of Valor Tour. The road tour included visits to some of North America’s top public safety aviation units, showcasing heroes who exemplify courage, dedication and selflessness in the line of duty every day. 

Jack Schoney, Brent Bundy from Vertical Valor Magazine and Jon Gray were invited into the Nashville Metro Police aviation hangar to see first hand the good work they are doing to protect the citizens and visitors of Music City.

In this episode, we sit down with Sergeant Nate Dungum from the Nashville Metro Aviation Unit to explore the dynamic world of airborne law enforcement. Nate shares the unit's ongoing transformation and the significant strides they've made in enhancing mission capabilities.

We dive into their K9 unit’s collaboration with Spike’s Canine Fund and discuss how social media plays a crucial role in recruitment and community engagement. Nate also emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships within the department, the power of mentorship, and the value of networking in law enforcement.

Nate opens up about his extensive background in both law enforcement and the military, including his deployment to Iraq and his experiences with the Civil Air Patrol. He shares some lighter moments with tales of shenanigans during deployments and the critical role of artillery crews.

As the conversation progresses, we explore the impact of new aircraft on their operations and the importance of prioritizing safety, especially in light of recent maintenance issues. Nate wraps up by offering a set of rules for successful unit operations, highlighting the significance of clear goals, humility, and a culture of trust. We also get a sneak peek into the upcoming construction of a new hangar for Nashville Metro Aviation and the vital role of maintaining a positive culture within the unit.

This episode is packed with insight, experiences, and actionable advice for anyone involved in aviation or law enforcement.

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, Summit Aviation and Robinson Helicopters 

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

Thank you to CNC Technologies for sponsoring this special in-person interview, recorded just prior to HAI Heli-Expo 2024. This recording took place in beautiful Beverly Hills, California, at the famous Lou’Mar restaurant.

CNC Technologies has assembled an impressive team of distinguished public safety aviators. In this two-part series, host Jon Gray had the opportunity to speak with their team in a panel-style conversation that covers a wide variety of important topics pertaining to public safety aviation.

CNC Technologies is a company renowned for its deep relationships with major equipment vendors, aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and completion and integration facilities worldwide.

These connections enable CNC to develop customized solutions tailored to each client’s unique mission profiles. They excel in creating long-range HD video and data transmission networks, encrypted mobile communications tools for real-time surveillance, and robust systems designed for continuous operation in challenging environments.

CNC Technologies brings decades of experience in deploying local, national, and global communications networks, providing custom aerial surveillance, data transmission, and counterterrorism solutions.

With extensive expertise in supporting Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) projects funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CNC delivers tailored mission suite solutions for the world's most demanding operators, backed by unparalleled 24/7 service and support.

Join us as we explore the cutting-edge world of CNC Technologies and their commitment to delivering your mission.

Thank you to our special sponsor CNC Technologies, as well as Collins Aerospace, and Dallas Avionics

Welcome to episode 91 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

The Hangar Z Podcast was honored to be asked by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) to join them at their national conference (APSCON) to Podcast from the convention floor in Orlando, Florida.

In this episode, we chat with the APSA CEO & Executive Director Dan Schwarzbach and APSA President Richard Bray. 

Dan Schwarzbach was a police officer and pilot for Houston PD for 39 years. He is now the CEO and Executive Director of APSA.

Richard Bray is the Chief Pilot for Alachua County Sheriff’s Office where he has served for over 25 years.

During the conversation, We talk about APSCON 2023. We get a preview of what is to come for APSCON 2024 & 2025.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 90 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

Join us for part two of this two-part series with Erik Sabiston. During the episode, he recounts a combat medevac mission under gunfire that results in a heavily damaged hydraulic system, Erik talks about the training they had recently done that ultimately saved the crew's life.

Erik talks about a mission that put himself and his crew into IIMC conditions and how that led to his involvement with the ICARUS view-limiting training device.

During the episode we talk about the transition from military to civilian life, we'll reflect on the importance of mentorship, debt management, and maintaining good relationships. We'll also reflect on the wisdom of Dale Carnegie's 'How to Win Friends and Influence People', and the value of an emergency fund to prepare you to chase your dream job.

Lastly, Erik shares his experiences across marketing, the music industry, running a charity, and aviation, which has put him in a unique position to offer consulting services for vets and civilians offering advice to veterans eager to take flight in the airline industry. 

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 89 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

Our guest, Erik Sabiston, developed a lifelong fascination with aviation as a young man. A former US Army Blackhawk pilot, author of the best-selling book "Dustoff 7-3 Saving Lives Under Fire in Afghanistan", the founder of RTAG,  co-founder of the ICARUS device, current airline pilot, and owner of Sabiston Consulting.  Erik takes us on his unique journey, from his early days in the music industry to living off the grid,  then to the military as a pilot, and ultimately to becoming a legacy airline pilot.

Erik’s dedication to the aviation industry extends beyond the cockpit. His experiences transitioning from military to civilian life inspired him to create RTAG, a charity focused on veteran hiring within the aviation industry. We explore the ups and downs of this transition period, and how Erik’s organization strives to support veterans in their journey. We also dive into discussing the process of becoming an airline pilot and the benefits of transition programs for military personnel. Erik talks about his exit from RTAG and what he is doing now with his consulting business where he is still helping veterans and civilians achieve their dream of a career in aviation.

The episode concludes with Erik sharing his personal encounters from his military service, including an unforgettable military medevac incident. We reflect on the significance of rigorous training and the role it plays in life-threatening scenarios.

This episode is part one of a two-part series. Stand by to hear part two.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon.

Welcome to episode 88 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode, we chat with Nick Sinopoli, the inventor of ICARUS, and Matt Johnson, a seasoned pilot and check airman from Metro Aviation. With them, we traverse a landscape of groundbreaking safety enhancements in aviation, discussing everything from their impacts on training and operations to the potential legacies they leave behind.

We then transition to explore Matt's aviation career. Matt flew as a full time law enforcement pilot before leaving to fly HEMS missions. Matt is a Designated Pilot Examiner for the FAA and  Check Airman for Metro Aviation.  His story provides a unique lens through which we discuss the extraordinary safety programs at Metro Aviation, the integral role of weather in flight operations, and the ways in which these experiences have shaped his career. As we move through the episode, the conversation circles back to Nick's innovative device, shedding light on its conception, benefits, and potential improvements.

As we wind down, we delve into the weighty topics of mentorship in aviation and the significance of leaving a positive footprint in the industry. We touch upon the life-saving potential of the ICARUS device, as the future of instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) training for aviation.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 87 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

This is an exciting episode as it is the first episode done in collaboration with Vertical Valor Magazine for the APSCON Valor Issue.

Join us as we discuss the incredible training being provided by SR3 as they spend a week with the Riverside County Sheriff's Aviation Unit Our guests, Dave Callen and Rob Munday from SR3, along with Rescue 9 pilot Mike Calhoun and rescue tech Cory Allen from Riverside County Sheriff's Aviation Unit as they offer valuable insights into their training courses, real-life missions, and the importance of constant learning and evolution.

During the conversation, we dive into the various training courses offered by SR3, their collaboration with the Riverside County Sheriff's Aviation Unit in rescue operations, as well as their innovative safety audit program, and gear evaluation process. Get ready to be inspired by the dedication and passion of these professionals, who always strive to stay at the top of their game.

As we wrap up this thrilling episode, we reflect on the significance of passing on knowledge and experiences to others, being receptive to change, and seizing every training opportunity with enthusiasm.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 86 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance in such a high-stress industry like aviation and public safety? Join us as we unpack this crucial topic with flight medic and ECHO affiliate, Jonathan Carolla. He shares insights from his survey on stress and mental health in the workplace, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues, particularly in light of recent tragic events. Grab a beverage and settle in for an engaging conversation with Jonathan as we explore the challenges faced by professionals in our industry.

We also discuss Jonathan's journey to becoming a Flight Crew Assistance Support Team (FAST) member and his passion for mental health in EMS. Discover the success of Camp Echo in encompassing all facets of public safety aviation, and the resources provided by the FAST Team for post-accidents and other difficult calls. Jonathan shares his experiences with volunteer fire departments in  West Virginia, and how they shaped his career path.

In this timely and informative episode, we explore the challenges and rewards of working in public safety aviation with Jonathan Carolla. We chat about how the work-life balance in our industry affects medics, nurses, and other responders. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field who is dedicated to advancing mental health and addressing the issues of PTSD head-on.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 85 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode, we chat with Marc Foreman a Helicopter Technician A&P and IA from the Oklahoma City Police Department aviation unit, about an exhilarating mix of topics: tornadoes, wildfires, aviation advancements, and public safety. Discover the warning systems in place to protect residents from these natural disasters and how following evacuation orders during events like California wildfires can save lives. Marc shares his firsthand experience witnessing a tornado and the destructive power of these natural forces.

As a helicopter mechanic, Marc gives us an insider's look into the world of aviation, covering everything from the differences between fixed-wing and helicopter maintenance to the challenges and rewards of working on various aircraft. He also sheds light on the impact of technology on aviation, and the critical role mechanics play in maintaining safety and efficiency in the field. Plus, we discuss the benefits of having a supportive stepfather in the industry who passed down valuable knowledge and skills.

Finally, we delve into the public safety aspects of aviation as we explore the challenges faced by law enforcement aviation units and the importance of aircraft maintenance in firefighting operations. Marc shares some fascinating stories from his career and reflects on the passion and dedication that mechanics bring to their work. So grab a cup of coffee (or a Monster, if you're like Marc) and join us for this engaging conversation you won’t want to miss!

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 84 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode, we sit down with Brad Pedersen and Jack Harris from MD Helicopters. Brad Pedersen is the President & CEO at MD Helicopters and Jack is the Director of Public Safety Sales at MD Helicopters.

During the conversation, Brad and Jack talk about the positive changes that have come to MD Helicopters. They talk about the new leadership team and describe the company's focus and priorities as they move forward. 

Brad and Jack also talk about the path that led them to their current positions at MD.

Brad has more than 35 years of industry experience delivering accelerated growth and financial performance in leadership positions at Boeing Rotorcraft, Sikorsky Aircraft, Breeze-Eastern, and other aerospace and defense companies. 

Brad began his career at Hughes Helicopters and has almost 20 years of direct experience with the MD Helicopter product lines. 

Brad has led the turnaround of several private and publicly-owned companies in his career. He holds an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Jack is a decorated retired law enforcement veteran with more than 33 years of experience climbing the ranks of the Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police – the largest police department in the state of Ohio. 


Jack is a Commercially rated helicopter pilot and holds a Private pilot rating in single-engine airplanes. He flew MD 500E and 530F as a law enforcement officer and served as a Tactical Flight Officer while assigned to the Aviation Section where his last assignment was Unit Commander.


 Jack is responsible for sales, market expansion, and revenues for the Public Safety and Commercial segments of the MD business in North America. He holds both a BA and MBA degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome, to episode 83 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode, we sit down with Luke Bowman, Utah DPS's chief pilot.

Utah DPS has an outstanding program and is frequently in the media regarding one of their rescues like the recent article by Vertical Valor written by Dan Magna. The title of the article sums up the success of the Utah DPS aviation program “Utah DPS helicopters hoist 18 people from flash flood in Buckskin Gulch canyon.”

During our conversation, Luke talks about his career and what led him to become the chief pilot for Utah DPS. He also outlines the Utah DPS aviation program and some of the significant incidents that helped shape its aviation program into what it is today.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon.

Welcome, to episode 82 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode, we get to highlight some of the good work being done by the personnel we consider to be the backbone of our industry, our maintenance technicians. 

We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Faith Ortega. Many of you will recognize her from her social media platform How to Helicopter.

During our conversation, Faith talks about earning her A&P through Southern Illinois University out of Carbondale Illinois. SIU has an outstanding aviation program where she graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Aviation Technologies with a specialization in helicopters.  

For our audience that is not familiar with the different positions in the maintenance technician world. The A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certification refers to a certified mechanic who is authorized to perform maintenance and repairs on an aircraft's airframe, engines, and other related systems. 

On the other hand, an IA (Inspection Authorization) is a higher-level certification that allows an individual to perform and approve annual inspections and sign off on major repairs and alterations. 

In short, while an A&P can perform routine maintenance and repairs, an IA has the authority to inspect and approve the work performed by an A&P, and sign off on more complex repairs and alterations.

Faith began her career as an A&P out of college working for Helicopters Inc which is heavily involved in the ENG industry which stands for electronic news gathering. 

After gaining vast experience at Helicopters Inc. Faith joined us in the public safety aviation community as a HEMS base mechanic.

Faith has done a lot of work through her social media platform to promote the work being done by maintenance technicians and also to help recruit the next generation. In addition to that she volunteers her time at the Gateway Youth Aeronotical Foundation. 

During our conversation, we talk at length about the program at Southern Illinois University, she talks about the differences in working in the ENG industry vs the HEMS industry. We also discuss recruiting the next generation into the aviation community.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

Thank you to MD Helicopters for sponsoring this special in-person interview with Jake Durham and Drew Muench from the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit. 

The Oxford Police Department chose the MD Helicopters 530F model as its primary airborne mission platform due to its exceptional versatility and performance characteristics, tailored to their operational needs. 

The MD530F's agility and maneuverability make it ideal for various law enforcement tasks, including surveillance, search-and-rescue operations, and aerial patrols. Its powerful Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine provides reliable performance in both urban and rural environments, crucial for the department's diverse operational landscape. 

The helicopter's compact size allows for efficient deployment and maneuvering in tight spaces, enhancing operational flexibility during critical missions. Equipped with advanced avionics and mission-specific equipment, the MD530F ensures enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness, enabling the Oxford Police Department to uphold public safety and respond swiftly to emergencies across their jurisdiction.

To discuss the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit, Jack Schonely speaks with Lt Jake Durham, the mastermind and commander behind Oxford’s aviation unit, and Drew Muench, the chief maintenance pilot inside Oxford’s beautifully purpose-built hangar. 

Jake Durham has deep roots in law enforcement and public safety that shaped his aspirations. Inspired by his family's legacy and an influential flight with the Alabama State Troopers Aviation Unit in 1997, Jake pursued a career in law enforcement. Starting as a patrolman with the Piedmont Police Department in 2003, he later joined the Oxford Police Department, where he climbed the ranks to lieutenant. 

Jake's visionary leadership led to the creation of the Oxford Police Department’s Aviation Support Unit in 2011, despite initial setbacks. He meticulously developed the administrative components and overcame challenges in acquiring suitable aircraft.

From a motor-glider in 2013 to an OH-6, and later a TH-67, Jake's persistence paid off. In 2016, he designed and managed the construction of the department’s Special Operations Facility, housing the Emergency Services Unit, Technical Services Unit, and Aviation Support Unit. Jake's dedication continued with the refurbishment of an OH-6A helicopter in 2020 and the procurement of an MD530F in 2021, enhancing the unit's capabilities.

Chief maintenance pilot Drew Muench’s aviation career spans over three decades. Starting his flying career in 1983 as a line boy at a small airport, he earned his flight time through dedication and passion.

His journey took a pivotal turn in 1988, when he began his path to become a Marine Aviator, only to pivot to the Army due to an injury at OCS. 

Serving 10 years as an Army Pilot, he mastered multiple aircraft including the AH-1, UH-1, OH-58, and CH-47, and became an esteemed instructor pilot. Transitioning to civilian life as an airline pilot, he faced challenges such as furloughs but found his place at NetJets, where he thrived as a Citation X captain and international training instructor.

His dedication to aviation extended to helping establish the Oxford Air Support Unit in 2015, where he continues to guide the unit as chief pilot.

Thank you to our special Sponsor MD Helicopters as well as Garmin and Wysong Enterprises. 

Welcome to Episode 81 Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine 

As we continue our series on surviving a career in public safety we bring you a conversation with Cameron Hardiman the author of Ten Feet Tall and not quite Bullet Proof.

Cameron served as a Victoria Police Officer where he worked as a patrol officer and as a tactical flight officer. He later became an Australian Federal Police Officer.

During the conversation, Cameron outlines his career as a police officer as well as his time as a tactical flight officer. We spend a good deal of time talking about PTSD and some of the forms of treatment that worked well for Cameron.

Our goal in having these conversations is that it will force each one of us to evaluate where we stand and provide some resources.

If you haven’t read Ten Feet Tall and not quite Bullet Proof I recommend you order it off Amazon to read and add to your library. 


We  would like to highlight the ECHO Fast Team. Their mission is to provide assistance & support to flight crew members involved in a critical incident as well as their immediate families.

• Services to assist affected flight crew, as well as immediate family members and flight programs, are provided at ZERO cost 

For more information on the ECHO, FAST TEAM go to their website https://www.echoflightcrew.org/fast

If you are a member of a flight crew and feel you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call or text the AIR FAST hotline 24/7. 1-833-AIR-FAST
1-833-247-3278

​

On the other end is a flight crew member who is part of ECHO FAST and not affiliated with your program. Communication is 100% confidential and free of judgment or bias. AIR FAST hotline services are not limited to critical aviation incidents, we are here to help through difficult calls, safety concerns, and various additional needs. 

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 80 of The Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this special episode, we sit down and chat with Dan Schwarzbach the Executive Director and CEO of the Airborne Public Safety Association, and Richard Bray who is the APSA President.

Both Dan and Richard give us some insight into the Airborne Public Safety Association annual conference referred to as ASPCON. 

This year APSCON and APSCON Unmanned (formerly the Public Safety Drone Expo) will be in Orlando Florida from July 17th thru July 22nd, 2023.

Registration is now open. To register go to APSA’s website publicsafetyaviation.org

The Hangar Z Podcast is a huge proponent of training and networking. This event is one you don’t want to miss.

The Hangar Z Podcast would like to thank its sponsors Metro Aviation, SHOTOVER, and CNC Technologies, as well as Patreon. 

Welcome to Episode 79 of the Hangar Z Podcast. Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

The episodes we are releasing this month center around physically and mentally surviving a career in public safety.


This conversation with Jack Schonely is part two of a two-part series we recorded. Part one (episode 70) was released on January 30th.  

This second episode will focus on the aftermath of the officer down call and how we take care of ourselves afterward. 

For those who don’t know Jack Schonely you will need to listen to his full episode #23. 

Jack is a 36-year Law Enforcement Veteran, with 31 years at LAPD 19 of which were spent in the Air Support Division as both a TFO and Command Pilot. Jack created and instructs a course titled “Apprehending fleeing suspects” Jack has also written a book available online with the same title.

I highly encourage you to seek out Jack’s course or to bring him to your agency or area for training. You can contact him and find more information on Jack through his website  Officertactics.com 

Jack will also be instructing at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation fly in May 17th, 2023. 

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon. 


Lastly, if you could do us a favor and leave us a rating and review on the platform you use to listen to The Hangar Z Podcast we would greatly appreciate it. 

 Episode 78 of The Hangar Z Podcast is brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

 
This is one of our most important episodes ever. We got the opportunity to sit down with our friend RJ Garwood from Huntington Beach PD Air Support. 

RJ was the PIC on February 19th, 2022 flying over a fight call in Newport Beach, California. After establishing an orbit over the incident RJ and Nick Vella who was acting as the tactical flight officer on this night experienced an uncommanded right yaw. The aircraft ultimately crashed into the water off Newport Beach approximately a quarter mile from the incident they had been working.

Nick Vella did not survive the incident. RJ survived and is with us to talk about it. RJ is transforming a tragic situation into something that will spur change in the industry and save countless lives.

You won’t want to miss a minute of this impactful interview with RJ Garwood as he talks about surviving the incident and a career in public safety both mentally and physically.

The Hangar Z Podcast would like to thank its sponsors Metro Aviation, SHOTOVER, and CNC Technologies, as well as Patreon. 

Episode 77 of The Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine is live.

I didn’t make it to HAI due to our snowplcalypse here in Southern California, Jeff was there and did an excellent job stepping in to host some episodes from the floor of HAI. This is the last of three episodes Jeff recorded at Heli Expo.

Thanks to Ryan from the Flight Suit Friday Podcast and Quinny from the Real Resq podcast for the work they put into developing a recording booth that we all used to record from. 

The podcasts that we had the pleasure of collaborating with include Flight Suit Friday, The Real ResQ Podcast, The Pilots Lounge, and the Forever on The Fly Podcast. 

So a huge thanks to the US Coast Guard for allowing us to use their booth to record.

In the final episode recorded from the floor of HAI Heli-Expo 2023 in Atlanta, Jeff gets the opportunity to interview Amy McMullen and Shawn Bruton from Metro Aviation. 

This is one interview I truly missed. I had a chance to hang out with the Metro folks at APSCON in Reno and had a fantastic time. They truly are great people doing really cool things. 

During the episode, they preview Metro Aviation and some of the cool things they are doing.

If you are looking to work with some awesome people check out their website Metro aviation.com

The Hangar Z Podcast would like to thank its sponsors Metro Aviation, SHOTOVER, and CNC Technologies, as well as Patreon. 

Episode 76 of The Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine is live.

I Didn’t make it to HAI due to our snowplcalypse here in Southern California, Jeff was there and did an excellent job stepping in to host some episodes from the floor of HAI. This is the second of three episodes Jeff recorded at Heli Expo.

Thanks to Ryan from the Flight Suit Friday Podcast and Quinny from the Real Resq podcast for the work they put into developing a recording booth that we all used to record from. 

The podcasts that we had the pleasure of collaborating with include Flight Suit Friday, The Real ResQ Podcast, The Pilots Lounge and the Forever on The Fly Podcast. 

So a huge thanks to the US Coast Guard for allowing us to use their booth to record.

In this episode, Jeff sits down to talk to Diane Dollar from the Forever on the Fly Podcast. She is also the executive director of the Forever on the Fly Non-Profit organization which is dedicated to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of aviators. 

During the episode, they talk about mentorship and what Forever on the Fly is doing to inspire today’s youth to pursue an aviation career. To learn more about the Forever on the Fly mission and information on how to become involved as a mentor go to www.foreveronthefly.com

Since I missed everyone at HAI I look forward to seeing everyone in person at PAvCon in Spain in June, APSCON in Florida in July, and the Echo Public Safety Aviation Conference in San Diego in October.

We would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation, SHOTOVER, and CNC Technologies as well as our sponsors on Patreon.  

Lastly don’t forget to check out and purchase one of the Hangar Z shirt designs Brotallion created in a collaborative release. 

The proceeds of the shirt sales are being donated to the Blue Skies Foundation. 

Check out the shirts at Brotallion.com and the Brotallion Blue Skies Foundation to learn more.

Welcome to episode 75 of the Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

I didn’t make it to HAI due to our snowpocalypse here in Southern California, Jeff was there and did an excellent job stepping in to host some episodes from the floor of HAI. This is the first of three episodes Jeff recorded at Heli Expo.

In This episode, we talk with Phil Cady and Matt Zadunich who work with our friend Nick Minx, from Tactical flying.

Phil is a retired San Diego PD officer and is now an instructor with Tactical Flying.

Matt Zadunich is the Chief Pilot for San Diego PD and is also an instructor for Tactical Flying teaching a course developed to teach TFOs how to teach new TFOs.

We love Tactical Flying and the training opportunities they offer. Check them out at Tacticalflying.com.

During this episode, they talk about the San Diego Tank Rampage of 1995 and cover a wide variety of other topics. 

We would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation, SHOTOVER, and CNC Technologies as well as our sponsors on Patreon.  

Welcome to episode 74 of the Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

Last week a historic snowstorm began which eventually ended up dropping 10 feet of snow on our community.

Many people's homes and businesses fell victim to the weight of the snow as they saw their roofs and decks collapse. The weight of the snow has damaged many natural gas mains causing homes to burn down and even a few have exploded. 

My best friend's grocery store Goodwin and Son's Market which feed’s literally thousands of people and serves as the center of the community had its roof collapse. This collapse crushed the contents of the store and obviously forced their closure.

The volume of snow has made roads impassable and heavy equipment traditionally used to clear the roads ineffective. 

The impassable roads have trapped thousands of residents in their homes and has threatened our most vulnerable and fragile segments of the population who depend on these roads to get medication, food, and supplies. 

I felt that I needed to record an episode of the podcast to document what has happened to my community and in particular Goodwin's Market as they are not only great friends but a critical piece of infrastructure in our community.

This isn’t the traditional public safety aviation content that we typically cover. 

Join me as I interview Mike and Jessica Johnstone. They are some of the kindest and hardest working people you will meet on the face of this earth. 

During the interview, we talked about the storm, and they give us an overview of the path that led them to where they are in the family business that was established in 1946 in Crestline California. 

They provide a history of the business and talk about the heartbreak surrounding the collapse of the store's roof that has closed the store.

We would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation, SHOTOVER, and CNC Technologies as well as our sponsors on Patreon.  

Welcome to episode 73 of the Hangar Z Podcast

In this episode, we sit down and chat with Samantha Poirier. Samantha is an EMS pilot flying for Reach Air Medical in Northern Colorado.

Samantha has a very impactful and inspirational story that led her to her position as an EMS pilot. 

Samantha's aviation career started working for a helicopter utility company in Alaska performing oil changes, sweeping hangar floors, and answering phones in exchange for flight time. From there she worked her way up to owning a helicopter wildlife capture company where she had the opportunity to fly in the world's most beautiful places that include Alaska. 

She owned the company with her husband where they did everything from capturing big game wildlife for scientific study to drying cherry trees, air tours of Hell's Canyon, wedding flights, photo flights, and wine tours. When she wasn’t flying she was running the company's business end.

Tragedy struck when her husband and 19-year-old cousin were involved in a terrible helicopter crash. The crash took the life of her cousin and catastrophically injured her husband. 

Samantha’s life was completely ripped out from underneath her. And she swore she was never going to fly again. 

Samantha’s passion for aviation would not allow her to stay away. She boldly built up the strength to get back in the seat where she put herself in the position to become an EMS pilot. 

Her motivation to become an EMS pilot stems from an ATV accident her sister was involved in. 

A Reach Air Medical airship responded to her sister's crash, which she credits with saving her sister's life. 

Samantha now works at the same base the ship launched from and with the same crew who saved her sister's life. 

This is an inspirational story you won’t want to miss. 

We would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER as well as our supporters on Patreon.

Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel where we post shorter 10-20 min segments from. Each episode. 

Also if you could leave us a rating and a review on the platform you use to listen to the hangar Z podcast we would be very grateful.

Welcome to episode 72 of the Hangar Z Podcast.

This is a unique episode for a few reasons. Jason Quinn from the Real ResQ Podcast and I have teamed up to create a podcast mashup.

This will be episode 127 of the Real ResQ Podcast.

During this episode, Jason and I interview the crew of Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Aviation Unit Star 9 that won the Airborne Public Safety Association Captain, “Gus” Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the year award for 2022.

The crew consisted of Deputy Chad Marlatt acting as the PIC, Corporal Andy Rasmussen acting as the SIC, Deputy Drew Pigott acting as the Crew Cheif, Deputy Michael Edwards Rescuer, and Deputy Mike Doyle acting as the catcher.

I actually recorded a version of this episode in person at RSO’s annual safety fly-in this last year at their hangar. Due to some technical difficulties, the audio was unusable, unfortunately.

With us to re-record this episode is Corporal Marlatt.. Congratulations on the promotion to Corporal, Deputy Pigott, and Deputy Edwards.

In the interview, the Rescue 9 crew breaks down what ended up being an officer-down type rescue and incident.

For those who have not listened to The Real ResQ podcast, Jason Quinn goes behind the scenes of the rescue stories we hear and read about.

We interviewed Jason Quinn way back in episode 21. Jason is a former Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and host of The Real ResQ Podcast.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

Thank you to MD Helicopters for sponsoring this special in-person interview with Jake Durham and Drew Muench from the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit. 

The Oxford Police Department chose the MD Helicopters 530F model as its primary airborne mission platform due to its exceptional versatility and performance characteristics, tailored to their operational needs. 

The MD530F's agility and maneuverability make it ideal for various law enforcement tasks, including surveillance, search-and-rescue operations, and aerial patrols. Its powerful Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine provides reliable performance in both urban and rural environments, crucial for the department's diverse operational landscape. 

The helicopter's compact size allows for efficient deployment and maneuvering in tight spaces, enhancing operational flexibility during critical missions. Equipped with advanced avionics and mission-specific equipment, the MD530F ensures enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness, enabling the Oxford Police Department to uphold public safety and respond swiftly to emergencies across their jurisdiction.

To discuss the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit, Jack Schonely speaks with Lt Jake Durham, the mastermind and commander behind Oxford’s aviation unit, and Drew Muench, the chief maintenance pilot inside Oxford’s beautifully purpose-built hangar. 

Jake Durham has deep roots in law enforcement and public safety that shaped his aspirations. Inspired by his family's legacy and an influential flight with the Alabama State Troopers Aviation Unit in 1997, Jake pursued a career in law enforcement. Starting as a patrolman with the Piedmont Police Department in 2003, he later joined the Oxford Police Department, where he climbed the ranks to lieutenant. 

Jake's visionary leadership led to the creation of the Oxford Police Department’s Aviation Support Unit in 2011, despite initial setbacks. He meticulously developed the administrative components and overcame challenges in acquiring suitable aircraft.

From a motor-glider in 2013 to an OH-6, and later a TH-67, Jake's persistence paid off. In 2016, he designed and managed the construction of the department’s Special Operations Facility, housing the Emergency Services Unit, Technical Services Unit, and Aviation Support Unit. Jake's dedication continued with the refurbishment of an OH-6A helicopter in 2020 and the procurement of an MD530F in 2021, enhancing the unit's capabilities.

Chief maintenance pilot Drew Muench’s aviation career spans over three decades. Starting his flying career in 1983 as a line boy at a small airport, he earned his flight time through dedication and passion.

His journey took a pivotal turn in 1988, when he began his path to become a Marine Aviator, only to pivot to the Army due to an injury at OCS. 

Serving 10 years as an Army Pilot, he mastered multiple aircraft including the AH-1, UH-1, OH-58, and CH-47, and became an esteemed instructor pilot. Transitioning to civilian life as an airline pilot, he faced challenges such as furloughs but found his place at NetJets, where he thrived as a Citation X captain and international training instructor.

His dedication to aviation extended to helping establish the Oxford Air Support Unit in 2015, where he continues to guide the unit as chief pilot.

Thank you to our special Sponsor MD Helicopters as well as SHOTOVER and Technisonic. 

Welcome to episode 71 of The Hangar Z Podcast. 

This is another one of our shorter content-focused episodes where we get to sit down and chat with the Brotallion Brothers Brett Kroll AKA "CHERUB" and Spencer Payne AKA "SMOKEY." 

To hear how they got their call signs and more about their aviation careers, plus how Brotallion was created check out episode 36 of The Hangar Z Podcast. 

You can also catch Spencer, Brett, and the other Brotallion Brothers on the Pilots Lounge Podcast, which is "aimed at bringing together, aviators from around the world, to share their experiences, and to learn from one another.”

During our conversation, we talk about the awesome custom swag that Brotallion makes including the shirt design they developed for us as a collaboration. To check out the shirt go to the link on our website or go straight to Brotallion.com. 

For every item sold, we are donating 25% of the profits to The Brotallion Blue Skies Foundation.

The Brotallion Blue Skies Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing post-mishap support for the Army Aviation community and their families. In addition to providing financial support to the next-of-kin, they ensure that their legacies are never forgotten.

As always I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Don’t forget to check out The Hangar Z YouTube channel where we post highlight segments from each episode of the podcast.

Lastly, if you have a question, you would like answered during an episode of the Hangar Z Podcast Slide into the DM’s with your questions or send it to Hangarzpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to Episode 70 of the Hangar Z Podcast.

The start of 2023 has already been traumatic for law enforcement as Riverside County Sheriff’s lost two deputies within a matter of weeks. This episode is dedicated to Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaiah Cordero EOW December 29th, 2022, and Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Darnell Calhoun EOW January 13th, 2023. 

Our hearts go out to their family, friends, and coworkers at RSO as well as the neighboring agencies.

This episode was inspired by those events. Unfortunately, we know this won’t be the last time an Officer Down call goes out and we want to open the conversation that surrounds the Officer down incident.

In aviation, we play a unique role and can have a huge positive impact on the outcome of those incidents but time and effort have to be put in in advance to help us be successful.

There is no one better than Jack Schonely to have this conversation with. This conversation is actually a two-part series of which the second episode will be focused on the aftermath of the officer down call and how we take care of ourselves afterward. 

We are taking the month of March to talk about surviving a career in public safety and public safety aviation so the second part of this conversation will fit in nicely with the overall theme.

For those who don’t know Jack you will need to listen to his full episode #23. 

Jack is a 36-year Law Enforcement Veteran, with 31 years at LAPD 19 of which were spent in the Air Support Division as both a TFO and Command Pilot. Jack created and instructs a course titled “Apprehending Fleeing suspects.” Jack has also written a book available online with the same title. Jack is a Contributing Editor and writer for Vertical Magazine, Police K9 Magazine, Recoil Magazine, and Police Magazine. 

Jack was the 2017 recipient of the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Law Enforcement Salute to Excellence award in Dallas Texas. 

2016 recipient of the Robert L Cormier Memorial Award from the Airborne Law Enforcement Association. Awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in the advancement of aircraft in public service.

2005 Runner up for the Governor’s California Police Officers Standards and Training Instructor of the Year Award.

2004 Air Crew of the Year Award for LAPD Air Support Division.

During this episode, we talk about the three C’s of any call but the importance is stressed in the officer-down incidents which are contain, communicate, and coordinate.

I highly encourage you to seek out Jack’s course or to bring him to your agency or area for training. You can contact him and find more information on Jack through his website  Officertactics.com 

Jack will also be instructing at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation fly in May of 2023. 

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER as well as our supporters on Patreon. 


Lastly, if you could do us a favor and leave us a rating and review on the platform you use to listen to The Hangar Z Podcast we would greatly appreciate it. 

Welcome to episode 69 of The Hangar Z Podcast. In this episode we brought the industries best leaders together to discuss leadership and leadership challenges facing public safety aviation today.

This group of leaders include Clay Lacey from Texas DPS, Terry Miyauchi retired  Arizona DPS and currently at Bell Flight, Jack Schonely retired from LAPD, Bryan Smith a current law enforcement pilot in Florida and previous Safety Program Manager for the Airborne Public Safety Association and Eric Weidner retired from the Ontario (California) Police Department now the Chief Operations Officer at CNC Technologies.

Each one of these leaders are men that are giants in the industry and have traveled the globe instructing and promoting the public safety aviation industry. To get them all together for this event was truly special.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Lastly if you could do us a favor and leave us a rating and review on the platform you use to listen to The Hangar Z Podcast we would greatly appreciate it. 

Episode 68 of the Hangar Z podcast is live.

In this episode we sit down and chat with Sergeant pilot Jerry Hunter and Senior Deputy and TFO Eric Johnson from the Kings County Sheriff’s Department.

Prior to aviation Sgt. Hunter worked Patrol as a field training officer developing the next generation of patrol officers. He was a K9 handler, was a member of the SWAT team and was also assigned to gangs.

As a K9 handler he found that is agency had very limited access to air support so he spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing a proposal to develop an aviation program for the Kings County Sheriff’s Department. In 2014 his program was approved and their fixed wing program took off.

Being in close proximity to Naval Air Station Lemoore gave them access to a large pool of pilots willing to volunteer their time as pilots for the program when they weren’t flying F18’s or F35 fighter jets.

TFO Eric Johnson has also had a very successful career having the opportunity to work  as a field training officer in patrol, he spent approximately 9 years as a K9 handler, he was a SWAT operator and also had a opportunity to work investigations. Eric became a TFO six years ago and worked the assignment as a collateral duty until the program became a full time program.

In this episode we talk about how they were able to successfully research, propose and launch their aviation program. We talk about the benefits of fixed wing aircraft in airborne law enforcement as well as a bunch of other rabbit holes we jumped into.

We would like to wish everyone a happy new year. I hope everyone had some time to spend with friends and family over the Christmas holiday and new years. I also hope you all had an opportunity to reflect and regroup for 2023.

I gladly waved goodbye to 2022 and have welcomed 2023 in with open arms. This year has already been fantastic and I only expect it to get better.

As I mentioned in the last episode we are huge proponents of training, education and networking. In addition to partnering with APSA we have also partnered with ECHO to promote the good work they are doing through their program. They are a non profit organization that created the FAST team which is Flight Crew Assistance and Support. Their mission is to provide assistance and support to flight crew members and their families involved in a critical incident. Services available are zero cost to the affected flight crew and organization. They have a deployable peer support team to assist on the ground after critical incidents. If you are a member of a flight crew and need assistance you can call or text the AIR FAST hotline 24/7 1-833-AIR-FAST. For web access follow this hyperlink to ECHO. 

ECHO also puts in a fantastic Public Safety Aviation conference to facilitate training and networking. This year’s conference is in my favorite city San Diego October 2-4 2023. For more information go to echoflightcrew.org we hope to see you all there.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

Welcome to episode 67 of the Hangar Z Podcast.

In this episode we sit down and chat with Richard Brandon from the London Metropolitan Police Department.

Richard worked his way from the streets of London to the skies of the London Metropolitan Police Department or MET as they refer to it.

Richard served the department for a total of 30 years as a police officer and is continuing to serve the UK as the Aviation Capability Manager for the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) looking at police aviation strategy and policy nationally.

Richard has as much as a passion for public safety aviation as we do as evidenced in the book he wrote for Haynes that outline airborne law enforcement.

During our conversation we had an opportunity to talk about a variety of different topics from safety to leadership and a lot in between. The common thread of the conversation revolved around  the similarities that exist between public safety aviation agencies across the world.


The Hangar Z Podcast is a huge advocate of training and networking. We are proud to announce that we have partnered with the Airborne Public Safety Association for 2023. We will help them to promote training and networking opportunities through the podcast as well as on our website. We have created a training page on our website https://www.hangarzpodcast.com/ where you can see upcoming training and networking opportunities.

You can find information on the Airborne Public Safety Association as well as a list of their upcoming training and a link to The Hangar Z Podcast at https://publicsafetyaviation.org/

Welcome to episode 66 of the Hangar Z Podcast. 

In this episode we sit down and chat with Andrew Baity from the Virginia State Police. 

Andrew is a Virginia Military Institute grad who joined the Marine Corps and became a Bell AH-1Z Cobra pilot. 

After Andrew's active service time, he was hired as a civilian pilot for the Virginia State Police. On top of that, Andrew still flys the Bell AH-1Z Cobra as a Marine Force Reservist. 

During this episode Andrews talks about his experience at the Virginia Military Institute, his career as a pilot flying Bell’s AH-1Z Cobra helicopter and his transition to civilian life where he flys a variety of airframes for the Virginia State Police including a new Bell 412.

We would like to thank Bell as they have graciously sponsored this special episode of The Hangar Z Podcast. I am beyond impressed with Bell’s airframes and the people at Bell that provide superb customer service.

We would also like to thank our primary Sponsors Metro Aviation and Shotover as well as our supporters on Patreon.

We have been beyond blessed to be sponsored by such quality companies. 

Metro aviation is such an impressive company from the quality and detail that goes into their aircraft completions like the new H125 Metro completed for our friends at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, to the family atmosphere that supports their employees. 

We appreciate the support of SHOTOVER Systems and their continuous drive for innovation in the airborne law enforcement sector. If you haven’t seen the with the newly released M2 Multi-Sensor Camera system you are missing out.

The M2 camera offers unparalleled stability, stand-off, image quality, and capability. 

I was able to demo the camera to see the technology first hand. If you would like to demo or even better buy one today so that suspects will stop getting away tomorrow let us know and we will get you in touch with the right people. 

To view some of the highlights from this episode and previous episodes go to our YouTube channel. The link is on our website www.hangarzpodcast.com

Lastly I would like to announce our upcoming leadership summit. We have recruited some of the best leaders in public safety aviation to join us on the podcast to talk about best practices in leadership. I am truly excited to sit down with these industry giants. This episode will be released late January 2023. 

Welcome to episode 65 of The Hangar Z Podcast.

In this episode we talk with the Uber talented aerial photographer and journalist Scott Dworkin. 

 Aerial photographers and journalists like Scott and publications like Vertical Magazine provide a valuable service to public safety aviation by providing positive publicity and by telling the stories of what we do to our peers, the powers that control the purse strings of our programs as well as to the general public who has no idea what we do half the time. 

 Scott Dworkin is an aerial photographer, contractor and photojournalist based outside of Los Angeles, California in Thousand Oaks.

 He has had a lifelong passion for aviation and photography, and after honing his skills as a photographer in various disciplines for many years, he decided to combine his two main interests professionally in 2010.

 Since 2010, Scott's work has been published in numerous international aviation magazines and websites including most recently working with Vertical magazine. 

 As a photographer and writer, he has flown with and covered every branch of the United States Armed Forces, as well as worked with many Department of Defense contractors, civilian aviation outfits, and law enforcement aviation units. 

 Scott embedded with the United States Air Force 452nd Airlift Wing, from March Air Reserve Base in California and traveled with them to Afghanistan to cover their aeromedical evacuation missions and has also traveled around the United States extensively documenting various other military and civilian units in action.  Scott is one of only a handful of civilians in the world that is privileged to fly as an aerial photographer in high performance military aircraft.

 The creation of Mach 91 Aerial Photography has been the culmination of Scott's dream and passion to deliver the finest quality, dramatic aerial photography possible, to bring the aircraft to life in their natural environment and tell the story of the men and women who serve.

 Scott has spent the last five years writing a book titled Becoming the Rhino. The book details the life and experiences of students who have been selected to fly the F/A-18 Super Hornet as they work their way through VFA-122, one of the US Navy's training squadrons to become fleet qualified Naval Aviators and Weapons System Operators, as well as the day to day operations of the squadron.

 In this episode, Scott tells the story of how he became a professional aerial photographer and journalist covering the most interesting aircraft in the world which ultimately led to the creation of his book Becoming the Rhino. 

 The book is available through his website www.mach91aerialphotography.com

We would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation and Shotover as well as our supporters on Patreon.

I would like to announce we will be recording The Hangar Z Leadership Summit episode in January of next year. We have recruited some of the industry’s best leaders to have a panel style conversation on topics of leadership affecting public safety aviation today.

As we prepare for this episode if you have any questions you would like us to ask during the episode send them into our email hangarzpodcast@gmail.com this will be an episode you don’t want to miss.

Welcome to episode 64 of The Hangar Z Podcast. 

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Jeff’s birthday than by bringing his *childhood best friend and enemy onto the show. 

What’s really fun about this episode is that Jeff had absolutely no clue who the  mystery guest was until he came into the interview. 

The guest and Jeff worked and tormented each other at Riverside PD, where he worked his way through the department. He worked patrol as an officer and a field training officer, he was selected to air support as a TFO which is where I met The Guest back in 2015 as he was putting a proposal together for Riverside PD to purchase Churchill Navigation’s Augmented Reality Mapping software.

The Guest left Air Support for a promotion to Detective in 2017 where he got to work gang investigations and auto theft. 

The Guest is the only person I know in law enforcement who took a voluntary demotion so he could come back to air support as a pilot in 2020.

During our conversation we get to hear the two of them roast each other pretty much non stop. Mixed into the roast is a really great conversation about the power of networking, recruitment and retention in air support as well as creating value for your unit. 

We appreciate all who support this podcast, including Metro Aviation who are doing good things with awesome people.

Thank you to SHOTOVER Systems.  Most everyone already knows SHOTOVER, which was formerly Churchill Navigation for their Augmented Reality Mapping software. 

Shotover has integrated the next generation of that software into the M2 camera system.

One of the coolest parts of this new camera system is that the 6 axis imaging system  has  eliminated “gimbal lock” when flying over an object.

The M2 is a definite game-changer for public safety aviation.

I would also like to thank our supporters on Patreon. 

Lastly, we just launched our channel on YouTube. Our goal is to take 5-10 min segments from each interview that contains valuable insight and post them on our channel.

Do us a favor and subscribe to our channel on YouTube. A link to our channel is available on our newly updated website hangarzpodcast.com.

*They were not childhood best friends. It is debatable if they are or ever were friends today.

Welcome to episode 63 of the Hangar Z Podcast! In this episode we get to hang out and have a blast with Rob Munday. 

Rob is a world class hoist operator working for Blackcomb Helicopters in British Columbia.  Rob also works with SR3 Rescue Concepts where he is spreading his vast knowledge of all things Rescue to students and agencies worldwide. 

Rob is an Australian native and has a super diverse background including time spent as a wild land firefighter both in Australia and Canada. 

Relax and enjoy this epic conversation Rob Munday 

In addition to a really great guest (Rob Munday) we have some exciting news. 

As you all know we are huge fans of SHOTOVERS new M2 camera system and their augmented reality mapping software.  

Well I would officially like to thank SHOTOVER systems for joining with Metro Aviation as a sponsor of the The Hangar Z Podcast.

Just a month or so ago In episode 59 we had the opportunity to speak with Tom Churchill the CEO of SHOTOVER, which was formerly Churchill Navigation.

In that conversation Tom joined us to discuss their new 6-axis M2 EO/IR Multi Sensor camera. The system comes with the next generation of their augmented reality mapping software. 

I had the opportunity to demo the camera locally here in Southern California. The new features I absolutely loved were the automated license plate recognition, steering, tracking and over all quality. For more information Go check it out at shotver.com

Lastly I would ask that you all leave a rating and review. Well only if it’s a good one on the platform you use to listen to the hangar Z podcast.

We would like to thank our SPONSORS Metro Aviation and now SHOTOVER as well as our supporters on Patreon. 

In this episode we sit down and talk with Nick Minx. Nick is the owner of tactical flying who specializes in providing airborne law enforcement units with the most advanced thermal imaging and aircrew tactical training available. 

In addition to owning Tactical Flying, he also works for San Diego PD where he is a sergeant, he has worked a wide variety of assignments including air support where he was both a pilot and TFO. He worked the gang unit, beach patrol and various patrol assignments across the city.

During our conversation we talk about his business Tactical Flying and discuss the trends Nick is seeing in the training world. We also talk about the impact technology is having on safety as well as tactics.

Thank you to our sponsor Metro Aviation and our supporters on Patreon.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

In this two-part series, Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down Dr. Tania Glenn, to discuss the importance of mental health for first responders.

Dr. Tania Glenn is the president of Tania Glenn and Associates, a clinical practice in Central Texas that is focused on promoting resilience and providing critical care to first responders and veterans.

As a leading national clinician in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Dr. Glenn specializes in creating effective programs designed to mitigate traumatic stress and to assist patients with their return to normalcy as quickly as possible.

As a licensed clinician with 30 years of experience, Dr. Glenn deployed to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, New York City in 2001, New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dallas in 2016 for the aftermath of the attack on the Dallas Police Department, and to Uvalde for the school shooter in 2022.

Recognized nationally, Dr. Glenn’s clients include a host of Texas and Arizona police, fire and EMS departments, federal law enforcement agencies, commercial aviation, and air medical programs. She is the clinical director for several peer support teams with her unique perspective on special operations competencies.

Dr. Glenn is a noted author with numerous books dealing with mental health, PTSD, first responders, military, and family. Additionally, she has been involved in several documentaries dealing directly with mental health trauma.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, Garmin, and Metro Aviation.

In episode 61 we spend more time talking about how technology is improving our industry by increasing our mission readiness.

We sit down and chat with Todd Powers and Ronnie Ries from GPMS. GPMS produces a predictive health and usage monitoring system that is available for, a wide range of airframes which now includes single engine ships most frequently used in public safety aviation.

This technology is used to get an in-depth look at the aircrafts vital systems using sensors that report information on the aircrafts overall health after each flight allowing maintainers, pilots and administrators to maintain their mission readiness with peace of mind.

Most people will recognize Todd Powers from his 20 plus year career with Airbus. And most will know Ronnie from his career at Bell Flight.

Both Todd and Ronnie are working together at GPMS and are working to expand the use of HEMS technology in aviation and in particular public safety aviation.

Welcome to episode 60 of The Hangar Z Podcast.

In this episode we talk with an American patriot Ray Freeman, who served our country as a pilot in the US Army flying a huge variety of airframes to include the OH58 and the Blackhawk.

During our conversation Ray unpacks his military aviation career which includes his involvement in the rescue mission after hurricane Katrina, as well as the evacuation mission he flew in Afghanistan as the US withdrew.

 I would like to thank all our friends who have sent pictures to us of all the cool places Hangar Z swag has been from the Netherlands to Australia, Antarctica down to Mexico and tons of places In between. Please keep sending in those pictures.

If you have questions about getting Hangar Z swag send us a message through our social media channels or by email at hangarzpodcast@gmail.com

Thank you to our Sponsor Metro Aviation and our supporters on Patreon.

Cheers

In this episode we sit down with the man who co-founded a company that was instrumental in developing technology for flight crews that has led to the apprehension of countless criminals across the world.

Churchill Navigation’s Augmented Reality mapping System has also helped TFO’s of all levels increase their skill set and situational awareness while assisting the men and women on the ground in public safety.

On August 4th, 2020, Churchill Navigation and Shotover Camera systems who makes world class aerial camera systems merged to become Shotover Systems. 

Fast forward to APSCON in Reno 2022, and Shotover released their new M2 EO/IR Multi-Sensor camera System for public safety aviation.

During our conversation with Tom, he talks about the development of the navigational software, the new camera system and how the two will work hand in hand to give us capabilities we never thought possible.

As always, we would like to thank our sponsor Metro Aviation and our supporters on Patreon. 

In this episode we get to sit down and chat with Zoey Schade. Zoey is a Navy vet who served on the Aircraft carrier USS Abraham, and is now a commercially rated helicopter pilot serving CBP Air and Marine as a Aviation Enforcement Agent also known as a TFO. 

During our conversation she talks about the great experience she had serving in the Navy as well as the CBP. She talks about CBP, its opportunities and how to get into their aviation program. 

Zoey has a really inspiring story of grit and determination to become a helicopter pilot. 

The Hangar Z Podcast had the honor of being asked by ECHO Heliops to join them at their national public safety aviation conference to Podcast from the convention floor in Austin Texas.

In this episode we chat with Terry Miyauchi from Bell Flight. Terry retired from Arizona DPS as their Aviation Commander and is now with Bell Flight assisting public safety aviation programs.

We previously interviewed Terry in episode 17. After hearing this interview go check it out.

During our conversation we talk about leadership in public safety aviation.

Thanks for our sponsor Metro Aviation.

The Hangar Z Podcast had the honor of being asked by ECHO Heliops to join them at their national public safety aviation conference to Podcast from the convention floor in Austin Texas.

In this episode we chat with Michelle Kline. Michelle is a flight nurse and has been in the EMS industry for 24 years. We talk with Michelle about the course she teaches at ECHO titled Fit for Flight.

Michelle is a mental and physical health advocate and is helping first responders develop habits that will allow them to endure a 30-year career in public safety.

The Hangar Z Podcast had the honor of being asked by ECHO Heliops to join them at their national public safety aviation conference to Podcast from the convention floor in Austin Texas.

In this episode we chat with Dave Callen and Rob Munday from SR3. We had the opportunity to interview Dave in episode 25 so check out that episode if you haven't already, it's an epic episode.

During our conversation we talk briefly about Dave and Rob's careers and in some length about the training SR3 brings to their clients.

I highly recommend training with SR3. Each instructor is highly experienced and excellent at the art of instruction.

You can find SR3 by following the link SR3 Rescue Concepts - Professional Training for First Responders

The Hangar Z Podcast had the honor of being asked by ECHO Heliops to join them at their national public safety aviation conference to Podcast from the convention floor in Austin Texas.

In this episode we chat with Dr. Amanda Ventura who is an emergency physician in Houston, Texas.  We had to work some dark magic to resurrect this episode as the hard drive it was written to was corrupted. This is a very powerful story and episode so we did what had to be done to bring it to you all.

In the conversation Dr. Ventura discusses an officer down incident she responded to as a flight physician and how it led to a descent into PTSD and alcoholism. She offers her experience as a way to help first responders take mental health seriously in light of the trama that is seen day in and day out.  

The Hangar Z Podcast had the honor of being asked by ECHO Heliops to join them at their national public safety aviation conference to Podcast from the convention floor in Austin Texas.

In this episode we chat with the ECHO F.A.S.T Team (Flight crew Assistance & Support Team) from the conference floor. 

The FAST team is a peer support program developed to provide assistance & support to Flight Crew members & their families involved in a critical incident.

FAST SERVICES

• Services available at ZERO cost to affected flight crew & organization
• Deployable Peer Support Team
• Geared towards flight crews/families by active flight crew members
• Confidential communication/support services available for both short/long term
• Willing to help/provide services & support to injured flight crew members, family, & flight services affected by a critical incident
• Collaborative partnership with flight programs without affiliation bias/agenda

If you are a member of a flight crew and feel you need assistance, you may call or text the AIR FAST hotline 24/7. (1-833-AIR-FAST1-833-247-3278)

​On the other end is a flight crew member who is part of ECHO FAST and not affiliated with your program. 

​Feel more comfortable emailing? Please email FAST@ECHOFLIGHTCREW.org

Thank you to our sponsor Metro Aviation and our supporters on Patreon.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!

In this two-part series, Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down Dr. Tania Glenn, to discuss the importance of mental health for first responders.

Dr. Tania Glenn is the president of Tania Glenn and Associates, a clinical practice in Central Texas that is focused on promoting resilience and providing critical care to first responders and veterans.

As a leading national clinician in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Dr. Glenn specializes in creating effective programs designed to mitigate traumatic stress and to assist patients with their return to normalcy as quickly as possible.

As a licensed clinician with 30 years of experience, Dr. Glenn deployed to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, New York City in 2001, New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dallas in 2016 for the aftermath of the attack on the Dallas Police Department, and to Uvalde for the school shooter in 2022.

Recognized nationally, Dr. Glenn’s clients include a host of Texas and Arizona police, fire and EMS departments, federal law enforcement agencies, commercial aviation, and air medical programs. She is the clinical director for several peer support teams with her unique perspective on special operations competencies.

Dr. Glenn is a noted author with numerous books dealing with mental health, PTSD, first responders, military, and family. Additionally, she has been involved in several documentaries dealing directly with mental health trauma.

Thank you to our sponsors SHOTOVER, Dallas Avionics, and Robinson Helicopters.

The Hangar Z Podcast had the honor of being asked by ECHO Heliops to join them at their national public safety aviation conference to Podcast from the convention floor in Austin Texas.

In this episode we chat with the ECHO executive board from the conference floor. During the conversation we talk about the mission of ECHO Heliops, the conference and about the future goals of the organization.

Thank you to our sponsor Metro Aviation and our supporters on Patreon.

Live......Episode 50 which is also our second anniversary episode of the Hangar Z podcast

We thought it would be fitting to bring on the man who inspired the inception of The Hangar Z Mr. Ghetto Bird Pirate himself Scott Hebble.

Scott is a Super Puma search and rescue pilot for the LA County Sheriff's Department.

Scott has worked his way from patrolling the streets of LA County as a deputy where he worked a variety of assignments including gang investigations to aviation where he was a tactical flight deputy, patrol pilot flying the Astar and now flying the super rare and awesome Airbus Super Puma.

During our conversation Scott talks about working both the streets as well as his aviation career that led him to his current position. 

Looking back at the last two years, I’m truly grateful to have had the opportunity to talk to all the guests that have been on the hangar Z podcast and for all the friendships that have developed. 

We have tried to bring interviews from all different disciplines within public safety aviation and look forward to broadening that as we continue. 

I am truly humbled that we are still around to bring each episode to you all. When we first started, I was pretty sure it would be my mom listening and telling me your doing great honey and that’s about it.

The support from our listeners, Patreon subscribers and our sponsors has allowed us to grow and do things I never imagined like having a booth at APSCON in Reno this year. That was an absolute blast. 

Want to throw out a quick plug for Echo Heliops and their annual conference that we will be podcasting from. It’s in Austin Texas 15th, 16th and 17th. Check them out they are doing some great things for all of public safety aviation. 

Echo is coordinating a tactical flight crew training in early 2023 in Fort Myers Florida and will be hosted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. Really cool that are helping with that training so check out their website echoflightcrew.org for more information on that. 

Again, thank you for all the support and feedback you all have offered, we look forward to catching you all as we go forward. 

If you are looking for a way to help us out leave a review on the podcast site you use to listen to the hangar Z podcast. It honestly is a huge help to us.

Thank you to our sponsor Metro Aviation and our supporters on Patreon.

The Hangar Z Podcast had the honor of being asked by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) to join them at their national conference (APSCON) to Podcast from the convention floor in Reno Nevada.

In this episode we chat kinda live from the conference floor with Ryan Mason from Aerial Fire Magazine.

During the episode we talk about Aerial Fire Magazine as well as the benefits of positive publicity for your agency from the skilled network of professional photographers and industry publications.

Check out Ryan Mason's Aerial Fire Magazine at www.aerialfiremag.com

Thank you to our sponsor Metro Aviation and our supporters on Patreon.