Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! This episode was recorded live from the floor of HAI Heli-Expo in Anaheim in March 2024, where we were able to interview the HAI Salute to Excellence Pilot of the Year Award recipient Mike Sagely. Sagely's path to becoming a decorated pilot isn’t typical. After a successful college volleyball career that even included a stint on the U.S. Olympic volleyball team, Sagely enlisted in the U.S. Army in his mid-20s. His talent an...
Apr 03, 2024•58 min•Ep. 150
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! In this three part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. A decorated former LAPD officer, Tactical Flight Officer and pilot. Deb Dickerson thrives on a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball, and track. A pivotal moment came in 1984 during a vacation to Lo...
Mar 27, 2024•48 min•Ep. 149
Welcome to T he Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! In this three-part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. A decorated former LAPD officer, Tactical Flight Officer and pilot. Deb Dickerson thrives on a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball, and track. A pivotal moment came in 1984 during a vacation to Lo...
Mar 22, 2024•51 min•Ep. 148
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! In this three-part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. Dickerson is a decorated former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, tactical flight officer (TFO) and pilot who thrives in a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball and track. A pivotal mome...
Mar 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 147
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! In this two-part series, host Jon Gray sits down to talk with Harald Brink. Brink is based with the Dutch National Police, National Expertise and Operations, Air Support Unit, based at Amsterdam Airport since 2009. Brink has been a police officer since the early 1990s. Since its inception in 1953, the Dutch Police Aviation Service has relentlessly served as the nation’s eyes in the sky. The unit operates two satellite offic...
Mar 16, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 146
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! In this two-part series, host Jon Gray sits down with Harald Brink. Brink is based with the Dutch National Police, National Expertise and Operations, Air Support Unit, based at Amsterdam Airport since 2009. Brink has been a police officer since the early 1990s. Since its inception in 1953, the Dutch Police Aviation Service has relentlessly served as the nation’s eyes in the sky. The unit operates two satellite offices, one ...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 145
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! In this engaging two-part series, Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down for a conversation with a close friend, former colleague, and Gray’s certified flight instructor (CFI) at Ontario Police Department, Kevin Hart Hart is a seasoned professional in aviation and law enforcement. With a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from UC Santa Barbara, he brings a solid academic foundation to his multifaceted career. Hart's jo...
Mar 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 144
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts ! In this engaging two-part series, Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down for a conversation with a close friend, former colleague, and Gray’s certified flight instructor (CFI) at Ontario Police Department, Kevin Hart Hart is a seasoned professional in aviation and law enforcement. With a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from UC Santa Barbara, he brings a solid academic foundation to his multifaceted career. Hart's jo...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 143
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we sit down to talk with Desiree Horton. With 33 years of aviation expertise and over 10,000 flight hours under her belt, Horton brings a wealth of experience to the world of public safety aviation. Currently serving as a fire/rescue pilot for Kern County Fire Department, she has dedicated her career to protecting lives and property from the skies. Horton embarked on her aviation journey in 1990 in ...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 142
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we sit down to talk with Desiree Horton. With 33 years of aviation expertise and over 10,000 flight hours under her belt, Horton brings a wealth of experience to the world of public safety aviation. Currently serving as a fire/rescue pilot for Kern County Fire Department, she has dedicated her career to protecting lives and property from the skies. Horton embarked on her aviation journey in 1990 in ...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 141
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we are honored to sit down with Bobby Swartz to discuss his remarkable aviation career. Swartz’s military aviation story began with Naval Aviation Flight training from 2009 to 2011. In 2012, he completed the MV-22B Initial Pilot Qualification and underwent rigorous flight training, laying the foundation for a career filled with notable achievements. Swartz’s career trajectory led him through various ...
Feb 25, 2024•59 min•Ep. 140
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we are honored to sit down with Bobby Swartz to discuss his remarkable aviation career. Swartz’s military aviation story began with Naval Aviation Flight training from 2009 to 2011. In 2012, he completed the MV-22B Initial Pilot Qualification and underwent rigorous flight training, laying the foundation for a career filled with notable achievements. Swartz’s career trajectory led him through various ...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we sit down to talk about Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing and how they are helping to improve the public safety aviation industry. Joining us for this conversation is Tony Weller the Director of sales and marketing for AEM and Sean Rickards the chief pilot and Director of Operations for Yellowhead Helicopters. Tony Weller has been with AEM for over 7 years. Tony also spent many years working in the...
Feb 22, 2024•48 min•Ep. 138
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we sit down to talk about Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing and how they are helping to improve the public safety aviation industry. Joining us for this conversation is Tony Weller the Director of sales and marketing for AEM and Sean Rickards the chief pilot and Director of Operations for Yellowhead Helicopters. Tony Weller has been with AEM for over 7 years. Tony also spent many years working in the...
Feb 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 137
In this episode, the three Vertical Helicasts Hosts, Halsey Schider of The Helicopter Podcast, Jon Gray of The Hangar Z Podcast, and Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ discuss their excitement for the upcoming HAI event and the podcast lineups they have planned. They also talk about the networking opportunities and the chance to reconnect with industry colleagues and professionals. Make sure to come visit the trio at HAI Heli Expo this year! They are at booth 5716, with a 'Meet and Greet' scheduled fo...
Feb 17, 2024•21 min
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we sit down to talk about a multi-agency public interaction event designed to bring positive law enforcement interaction to ill children and their families at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. To discuss the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital Cops for Kids Fly-In we speak with Doug Brimmer from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Ian Crocker from the Riverside Police Departme...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 136
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we sit down to talk about a multi-agency public interaction event designed to bring positive law enforcement interaction to ill children and their families at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. To discuss the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital Cops for Kids Fly-In, we speak with Doug Brimmer from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Ian Crocker from the Riverside Police Departm...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 135
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, host Jon Gray sits down with Bryan Santy, the sergeant in charge of Anaheim Police Department's aviation unit. Santy has had a wildly successful law enforcement career. He worked his way to aviation becoming a pilot after working patrol and as a gang investigator. Santy was later promoted to sergeant and went back to field operations working as a patrol sergeant and supervised the Homeland Security ...
Feb 09, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 134
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS . In this two-part series, host Jon Gray sits down with Bryan Santy, the sergeant in charge of Anaheim Police Department's aviation unit. Santy has had a wildly successful law enforcement career. He worked his way to aviation becoming a pilot after working patrol and as a gang investigator. Santy was later promoted to sergeant and went back to field operations working as a patrol sergeant and supervised the Homeland Security ...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 133
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . This is a two-part series where we honor the memory and legacy of flight nurse Stacie Morse in partnership with ECHO Heliops, The First Responder Whiskey Society, Morse’s aunt Susan Morse deLucia, and her best friend Cindy Pratt, to honor and discuss the legacy of flight nurse Stacie Morse. Flight nurse Stacie Morse, flight paramedic Margaret Langston, and pilot Patrick Coyle perished on Jan. 29, 2019, while responding to a...
Jan 31, 2024•57 min•Ep. 132
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . This is a two-part series where we honor the memory and legacy of flight nurse Stacie Morse in partnership with ECHO Heliops, The First Responder Whiskey Society, Morse’s aunt Susan Morse deLucia, and her best friend Cindy Pratt, to honor and discuss the legacy of flight nurse Stacie Morse. Flight nurse Stacie Morse, flight paramedic Margaret Langston, and pilot Patrick Coyle perished on Jan. 29, 2019, while responding to a...
Jan 29, 2024•57 min•Ep. 131
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts. This is Part Two of a two-part series with Tyler Boeddeker and Sean MacHale from Massif, an apparel company that creates and produces some of the world’s finest flame-resistant (FR) gear. Massif was founded in 1999 by two passionate visionaries who set the bar high for quality and excellence in everything they do. Randy Benham, one of Massif’s founders, was a Jenny Lake search-and-rescue (SAR) crewmember in Grand Teton Nation...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 130
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . This is Part One of a two-part series with Tyler Boeddeker and Sean MacHale from Massif, and aviation apparel company that creates and produces some of the world’s finest flame-resistant (FR) gear. Massif was founded in 1999 by two passionate visionaries who set the bar high for quality and excellence in everything they do. Randy Benham, one of Massif’s founders, was a Jenny Lake search-and-rescue (SAR) crew member in Grand ...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 129
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . This is part three of a three-part series. This series is important for all public safety aviation units, because we discuss the audit released by the LA City Controller’s office on the LAPD Air Support Division. The LAPD Air Support Division is well equipped to deal with and respond to the report to justify its program based on the stats it keeps and the details of its program. We many times have discussed how air support ...
Jan 18, 2024•55 min•Ep. 128
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . This is part two of a three-part series. This series is important for all public safety aviation units, because we discuss the audit released by the LA City Controller’s office on the LAPD Air Support Division. The LAPD Air Support Division is well equipped to deal with and respond to the report to justify its program based on the stats it keeps and the details of its program. We many times have discussed how air support pr...
Jan 16, 2024•59 min•Ep. 127
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . This is part one of a three-part series. This series is important for all public safety aviation units, because we discuss the audit released by the LA City Controller’s office on the LAPD Air Support Division. The LAPD Air Support Division is well equipped to deal with and respond to the report to justify its program based on the stats it keeps and the details of its program. We many times have discussed how air support pr...
Jan 11, 2024•57 min•Ep. 126
Welcome to episode 125 of The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . Get ready for the first-ever Vertical HeliCASTS mashup! Halsey Schider from The Helicopter Podcast is joined by Jason “Quinny” Quinn from The Real ResQ and Jon Gray from The Hangar Z Podcast . In this captivating episode, the trio delves deep into crew resource management, sharing personal experiences and invaluable insights that offer a unique perspective on this critical aspect of the industry. With their di...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 125
Welcome to episode 124 of The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts . In this two-part series, we sit down with Dr. Keith Roxo and Dr. Dan Monlux, who founded Wingman Med . They are both F/A-18 pilots turned board-certified aerospace medicine physicians. Roxo is a Top Gun-trained adversary pilot turned aerospace medicine physician with over 2,000 hours in high-performance aircraft including the F/A-18, F-16, and F-5. He holds multiple military flight instructor qualifications, a...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 124
Welcome to episode 123 of The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicast . This episode was recorded from the floor of the ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference in San Diego. Host Jon Gray had the opportunity to speak with a good friend, Ken Fox. Fox is a flight paramedic from the Big Bear Fire Department. Big Bear Fire has a unique relationship with Mercy Air to provide advanced life support to people in need in and around the Big Bear area, in the mountains of Southern California....
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 123
Welcome to episode 122 of The Hangar Z Podcast , brought to you by Vertical Helicast . In Part Three of this three-part series, host Jon Gray resumes his conversation with Calvin Dockery and Dave Ritchie. Both Dockery and Ritchie are U.S. Army veterans who flew MH-47 helicopters in the world-renowned 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment’s mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwi...
Dec 26, 2023•49 min•Ep. 122
