Shows
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 262 - APSCON Preview & APSA Candidate ProfilesWelcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, 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!In this episode, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Dan Schwarzbach, executive director and CEO of the Airborne Public Safety Association, for an exclusive preview of APSCON 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.We’ll cover training opportunities for bo...2025-06-021h 12
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 250 - From the RAF to the Royal Navy: A Conversation with Jon DukeWelcome 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...2025-04-171h 16
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 249 - Leadership and Innovation: Dave Ellis's Impact on Spokane County's Aviation Unit Part 2Welcome to another episode of 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!On today’s episode, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are thrilled to welcome Dave Ellis. Dave is a pivotal figure in the development of Spokane County Sheriff’s aviation program.Dave takes us through the j...2025-04-141h 17
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 248 - Leadership and Innovation: Dave Ellis's Impact on Spokane County's Aviation Unit Part 1Welcome to another episode of the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor magazine.On today’s episode, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are thrilled to welcome Dave Ellis. Dave is a pivotal figure in the development of Spokane County Sheriff’s aviation program.Dave takes us through the journey of building the program from the ground up, sharing insights into the political and financial challenges, the role of data tracking, and the power of community engagement. He opens up about his background and his diverse caree...2025-04-101h 15
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 247 - Operational Excellence: Insights from the Houston PD Air Support Unit Part 2Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.This two-part series was recorded at APSCON 2024 In Houston, Texas. In this series, hosts Jon Gray, and Jack Schonely sit down with Sgt Cody Robinson and CFI Jeff Serpas from the Houston Police Department Air Support Unit. In this episode, we engage with Houston PD’s finest, who share their insights, experiences, and challenges in the field. We’ll explore the critical role of mentorship and how training methods have evolved over time, alongside the significance of in...2025-04-071h 15
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 246 - Operational Excellence: Insights from the Houston PD Air Support Unit Part 1Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.This two-part series was recorded at APSCON 2024 In Houston, Texas. In this series, hosts Jon Gray, and Jack Schonely sit down with Sgt Cody Robinson and CFI Jeff Serpas from the Houston Police Department Air Support Unit. In this episode, we engage with Houston PD’s finest, who share their insights, experiences, and challenges in the field. We’ll explore the critical role of mentorship and how training methods have evolved over time, alongside the significance of in...2025-04-031h 11
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 245 - Insights from the Maryland State Police Part 2Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, host Jon Gray welcomes members of the Maryland State Police at the 2024 ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference in Richmond, Virginia. During the conversation, we discuss the importance of networking and education in public safety, and personal journeys into aviation and law enforcement.The guests share insights into their roles as trooper paramedics, the challenges of maintaining proficiency in a large unit, and the unique considerations involved in transporting and caring f...2025-03-2754 min
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 244 - Insights from the Maryland State Police Part 1Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, host Jon Gray welcomes members of the Maryland State Police at the 2024 ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference in Richmond, Virginia. During the conversation, we discuss the importance of networking and education in public safety, and personal journeys into aviation and law enforcement.The guests share insights into their roles as trooper paramedics, the challenges of maintaining proficiency in a large unit, and the unique considerations involved in transporting and caring f...2025-03-241h 05
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 243 - "The Gap" Factory Training vs. Advanced Specialty Training Part 2Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray, and Tony Webber host a conversation on the urgent need for mission-specific training for pilots and aircrews in public safety aviation.Join us as we discuss the critical gaps between factory training and the specialized skills required for various mission sets, such as aerial firefighting and hoist rescue operations.Our guests, who are all Hangar Z alumni, include SR3’s Dave Callen and Rob Munday, and Riverside Co...2025-03-201h 13
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 242 - "The Gap" Factory Training vs. Advanced Specialty Training Part IWelcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray, and Tony Webber host a conversation on the urgent need for mission-specific training for pilots and aircrews in public safety aviation. Join us as we discuss the critical gaps between factory training and the specialized skills required for various mission sets, such as aerial firefighting and hoist rescue operations.Our guests, who are all Hangar Z alumni, include SR3’s Dave Callen and Rob Munday, and Riverside Co...2025-03-171h 13
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 241 - The Role of Airbus and Loft Dynamics in LAPD Operations, with Chief Pilot Kevin Gallagher Part 2Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.Thank you to our special sponsor Airbus for making this recording possible.In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray highlight how the Airbus AS350 series helicopters make LAPD’s mission sets possible through a conversation with LAPD’s Air Support Division chief pilot, Kevin Gallagher.In this series, Kevin shares how his early interest in law enforcement propelled him into the world of air support, providing valuable insights into his training experiences and...2025-03-131h 07
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 240 - The Role of Airbus and Loft Dynamics in LAPD Operations, with Chief Pilot Kevin Gallagher Part 1Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.Thank you to our special sponsor Airbus for making this recording possible.In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray highlight how the Airbus AS350 series helicopters make LAPD’s mission sets possible through a conversation with LAPD’s Air Support Division chief pilot, Kevin Gallagher.In this series, Kevin shares how his early interest in law enforcement propelled him into the world of air support, providing valuable insights into his training experiences and...2025-03-101h 14
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 239 - From Combat to Creativity: The Story Behind Helo Girls™ and Aviation Advocacy Part 2Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely talk with Kodey Bogart. During this series we explore Kodey’s career and impact within the aviation industry, highlighting her remarkable path from military service as a Black Hawk pilot to her current role as an industry safety expert and author.During the conversation, Kodey shares her insights on the critical importance of safety practices in aviation, the vital role helicopters play in emergency response, and th...2025-03-061h 13
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 238 - From Combat to Creativity: The Story Behind Helo Girls™ and Aviation Advocacy Part 1Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely talk with Kodey Bogart. During this series we explore Kodey’s career and impact within the aviation industry, highlighting her remarkable path from military service as a Black Hawk pilot to her current role as an industry safety expert and author.During the conversation, Kodey shares her insights on the critical importance of safety practices in aviation, the vital role helicopters play in emergency response, and th...2025-03-031h 13
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 237 - Baja Racing and Law Enforcement Aviation Part 2Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely talk with Eric Hannum, who is not only a law enforcement pilot but also a chase pilot for a professional off-road truck team racing in the SCORE Baja series in Mexico.Eric shares his journey with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, emphasizing the critical importance of personal connections in recruitment and the need for aviation units to collaborate with patrol officers. Our conversation explores t...2025-02-271h 21
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 236 - Baja Racing and Law Enforcement Aviation Part 1Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely talk with Eric Hannum, who is not only a law enforcement pilot but also a chase pilot for a professional off-road truck team racing in the SCORE Baja series in Mexico.Eric shares his journey with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, emphasizing the critical importance of personal connections in recruitment and the need for aviation units to collaborate with patrol officers. Our conversation explores t...2025-02-241h 19
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 235 - Tim Tucker: A legacy of 54 years in aviation Part IIWelcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray are thrilled to welcome Tim Tucker, a seasoned aviator with an extraordinary 54-year career in aviation. Tim shares compelling stories from his time flying the Bell Huey helicopter during the Vietnam War, detailing the unique missions of the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, famously known as the Gladiators. This episode offers a deep exploration of military aviation and the personal experiences that shape a pilot's career.A...2025-02-201h 12
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 234 - Tim Tucker: A legacy of 54 years in aviation Part IWelcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray are thrilled to welcome Tim Tucker, a seasoned aviator with an extraordinary 54-year career in aviation. Tim shares compelling stories from his time flying the Bell Huey helicopter during the Vietnam War, detailing the unique missions of the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, famously known as the Gladiators. This episode offers a deep exploration of military aviation and the personal experiences that shape a pilot's career.A...2025-02-171h 16
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 233 Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department: Henry One Part 2Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray talk with members of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department's Henry One, including unit supervisor Chris Haas, pilot Nigel Cooper, and tactical flight officer Lawrence Matelli.This is a unique project in conjunction with Vertical Valor, The Real ResQ Podcast, and Hangar Z. The article from Vertical Valor is available now at Verticalmag.com.Our conversation with the crew of Henry One explores their impactful work...2025-02-131h 21
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 232 Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department: Henry One Part 1Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray talk with members of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department's Henry One, including unit supervisor Chris Haas, pilot Nigel Cooper, and tactical flight officer Lawrence Matelli.This is a unique project in conjunction with Vertical Valor, The Real ResQ Podcast, and Hangar Z. The article from Vertical Valor is available now at Verticalmag.com.Our conversation with the crew of Henry One explores their impactful work...2025-02-101h 17
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 231 - Leadership Series with Clint Pulver: I Love it Here Part IIWelcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part leadership series episode, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Clint Pulver, an Emmy Award winner, author, keynote speaker, pro drummer, helicopter pilot, and partner in the helicopter apparel company Heli Life. During our conversation, we explore the vital role of effective leadership in the realms of public safety and aviation. Clint shares his inspiring journey from aspiring helicopter pilot to professional speaker and author, shedding light on the urgent ne...2025-02-061h 02
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 230 - Leadership Series with Clint Pulver: I Love it Here Part IWelcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this two-part leadership series episode, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Clint Pulver, an Emmy Award winner, author, keynote speaker, pro drummer, helicopter pilot, and partner in the helicopter apparel company Heli Life. During our conversation, we explore the vital role of effective leadership in the realms of public safety and aviation. Clint shares his inspiring journey from aspiring helicopter pilot to professional speaker and author, shedding light on the urgent ne...2025-02-031h 06
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 229 - Drone Integration in Public Safety Aviation with Lt. Clay Lacey Part IIWelcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Lt. Clay Lacey from Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to discuss the integration of drones with manned aircraft in law enforcement operations.They discuss how collaboration between drone and aviation programs plays a crucial role in enhancing effectiveness and safety in airborne law enforcement.Lt. Lacey shares valuable insights on the importance of proper training, communication, and...2025-01-3051 min
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 228 - Drone Integration in Public Safety Aviation with Lt. Clay Lacey Part IWelcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.In this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Lt. Clay Lacey from Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to discuss the integration of drones with manned aircraft in law enforcement operations.They discuss how collaboration between drone and aviation programs plays a crucial role in enhancing effectiveness and safety in airborne law enforcement.Lt. Lacey shares valuable insights on the importance of proper training, communication, and...2025-01-2752 min
The Hangar Z PodcastEpisode 227 - Natural Disaster Responses: A Coast Guard Perspective with Scott Kellerman Part IIWelcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine. In this two-part series, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Lieutenant Commander Scott Kellerman, U.S. Coast Guard pilot. Join us as Scott shares his remarkable journey from a Southern California upbringing to the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy, detailing the challenges and traditions that shaped his career in aviation. We'll explore how Scott's experiences at air shows ignited his passion for flight and led him to serve during critical moments, including responses to ma...2025-01-231h 07