Welcome 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 importa...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 239
Welcome 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 importa...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 238
Welcome 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...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 237
Welcome 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...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 236
Welcome 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 of...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 241
Welcome 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 of...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 240
Welcome 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 ...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 233
Welcome 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 ...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 232
Welcome 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 inspi...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 231
Welcome 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 inspi...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 230
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS , in partnership with V ertical 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 en...
Jan 30, 2025•51 min•Ep. 229
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS , in partnership with V ertical 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 en...
Jan 27, 2025•53 min•Ep. 228
Welcome 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 ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 227
Welcome 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 ...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 226
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS , in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine . We get a ton of questions from people asking how they can break into the public safety aviation career field, so in this episode, we’re thrilled to explore the diverse pathways into public safety aviation careers like airborne law enforcement, aerial firefighting, airborne search-and-rescue technicians, and emergency medical services. Join Rob Munday, Stef Maier, Mike Calhoun, an...
Jan 16, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 225
Welcome to this special episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, covering the 2025 Los Angeles firestorm. This podcast is brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS , in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine . In this special episode, we talk with Hangar Z alumnus and L.A. County fire pilot Mike Sagely about the recent wildfire disaster that has swept through Los Angeles. Mike is a dedicated L.A. County fire pilot on the front lines, who will shed light on this urgent and devastating situation. Over this p...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine. In this two-part series, host Jack Schonely and co-host Harald Brink go international and speak to Joseba Mendizabal, a Lieutenant Pilot from the Basque Police in Spain. Joseba is an inspiring and funny fixture in our industry. His journey spans from aspiring pilot to military service and now a dedicated helicopter pilot for the Basque Country’s police force. Join us as Joseba s...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 224
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine. In this two-part series, host Jack Schonely and co-host Harald Brink go international and speak to Joseba Mendizabal, a Lieutenant Pilot from the Basque Police in Spain. Joseba is an inspiring and funny fixture in our industry. His journey spans from aspiring pilot to military service and now a dedicated helicopter pilot for the Basque Country’s police force. Join us as Joseba s...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 223
Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine . This episode of The Hangar Z Podcast was recorded in Amsterdam on the floor of European Rotors, at the MHM Publishing podcast booth. In this episode, I get to sit down with Cal Meeker, founder of Meeker Aviation. Just about every public safety aviation mission would not be possible without the external payload mounts produced by Meeker Aviation that secure mission equipment to ...
Jan 06, 2025•59 min•Ep. 222
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS . This two-part series of Hangar Z was recorded on location in Richmond, Virginia, at the ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference. Host Jon Gray has a roundtable discussion with Terry Miyauchi, Bell’s public safety segment manager; Dave Callen, SR3 Rescue Concepts owner; and Andrew Baity, a Virginia State Police helicopter pilot. They share insights on the importance of networking, training, and collaboration among agencies, es...
Dec 26, 2024•54 min•Ep. 221
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS . This two-part series of Hangar Z was recorded on location in Richmond, Virginia, at the ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference. Host Jon Gray has a roundtable discussion with Terry Miyauchi, Bell’s public safety segment manager; Dave Callen, SR3 Rescue Concepts owner; and Andrew Baity, a Virginia State Police helicopter pilot. They share insights on the importance of networking, training, and collaboration among agencies, es...
Dec 23, 2024•53 min•Ep. 220
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS . In This two-part series of the Hanger Z podcast Jack Schonely and Jon Gray welcome Randy Rowles onto the podcast. Randy shares his inspiring journey from dropping out of high school to becoming the owner and president of the Helicopter Institute. He discusses the pivotal moments in his life that shaped his passion for flying, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges he faced along the way. Randy's story is a testament...
Dec 19, 2024•59 min•Ep. 219
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS . In This two-part series of the Hanger Z podcast Jack Schonely and Jon Gray welcome Randy Rowles onto the podcast. Randy shares his inspiring journey from dropping out of high school to becoming the owner and president of the Helicopter Institute. He discusses the pivotal moments in his life that shaped his passion for flying, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges he faced along the way. Randy's story is a testament...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 218
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS . This episode of the Hanger Z podcast was recorded on location in Houston Texas at the Airborne Public Safety Aviation Conference known as APSCON. Hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray have a discussion with the Airborne Public Safety Association Executive Director and CEO Dan Schwarzbach and APSA President Richard Bray. The conversation at APSCON 2024 highlights the evolution of law enforcement aviation, focusing on technological ...
Dec 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 217
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with the 2024 Airborne Public Safety Aviation Association's Tactical Flight Officer of the Year award recipient, Senior Deputy Eric Johnson, and Sergeant Jerry Hunter, from the Kings County (California) Sheriff’s Office. Eric and Jerry discuss the award, their backgrounds in law enforcement, the establishment of their air support unit, and the critical role of...
Dec 09, 2024•56 min•Ep. 216
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with the 2024 Airborne Public Safety Aviation Association's Tactical Flight Officer of the Year award recipient, Senior Deputy Eric Johnson, and Sergeant Jerry Hunter, from the Kings County (California) Sheriff’s Office. Eric and Jerry discuss the award, their backgrounds in law enforcement, the establishment of their air support unit, and the critical role of...
Dec 05, 2024•53 min•Ep. 215
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS . This episode of the Hanger Z Podcast was recorded on location in Washington, D.C., at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall. Jack Schonely has a very impactful and enlightening conversation with Craig Floyd, founding CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. During the conversation, Craig shares insights about the wall, the Police Unity Tour, and his new initiative, Citizens Behind the Badge. ...
Dec 02, 2024•57 min•Ep. 214
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this powerful two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Jim Moss, a retired member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, to discuss the invaluable lessons learned throughout his remarkable career. Join us as Jim shares his journey from growing up in a single-parent household to becoming a deputy sheriff, emphasizing the importance of humility in leadership and the role of cognitive diversit...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 213
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this powerful two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Jim Moss, a retired member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, to discuss the invaluable lessons learned throughout his remarkable career. Join us as Jim shares his journey from growing up in a single-parent household to becoming a deputy sheriff, emphasizing the importance of humility in leadership and the role of cognitive diversit...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 212
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this inspiring episode, co-hosts Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with Dave Salem, a legendary figure in the law enforcement aviation community. Together, they explore Dave's remarkable journey from police officer to pilot in the Mesa Police Department's air unit, influenced greatly by his father, an Air Force pilot. The conversation delves into captivating locations like Sycamore Creek and Alpine, Wyoming, and reflec...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 211
