The Hangar Z Podcast

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 pilo...

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,...

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,...

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 conversa...

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 aw...

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 aw...

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 shar...

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...

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...

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 For...

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 For...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this two-part series, co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Andrew Nicoletti, a sergeant and pilot from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Get ready for an engaging conversation as we explore Andrew's unique journey into aviation, from his early experiences to his operational responsibilities in a...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this two-part series, co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Andrew Nicoletti, a sergeant and pilot from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Get ready for an engaging conversation as we explore Andrew's unique journey into aviation, from his early experiences to his operational responsibilities in a...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS !  This is a special two-part series Hangar Z co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray recorded with Virginia State Police pilots Jeff Bush and Brian Canada.  This conversation highlights their heroic rescue mission that successfully saved 54 individuals from a hospital engulfed by floodwaters during Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helen...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS !  This is a special two-part series Hangar Z co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray recorded with Virginia State Police pilots Jeff Bush and Brian Canada.  This conversation highlights their heroic rescue mission that successfully saved 54 individuals from a hospital engulfed by floodwaters during Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helen...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS !  In this episode of the Hangar Z Podcast, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Lt Steve Farris from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office Aviation Section.  Lt Farris shares his unique journey, tracing his early interest in law enforcement and aviation, alongside his family history that shaped his career path. Lt...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS !  In this episode of the Hangar Z Podcast, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Lt Steve Farris from the Seminole County Sheriff's Office Aviation Section.  Lt Farris shares his unique journey, tracing his early interest in law enforcement and aviation, alongside his family history that shaped his career path. Lt...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this engaging two-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast, Tony Webber and Jon Gray welcome Dale Head, a seasoned expert in aerial firefighting. With a rich background in both the fire service and aviation, Dale shares his journey and insights into the high-stakes world of aerial firefighting. The conversation kicks off with Da...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this engaging two-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast, Tony Webber and Jon Gray welcome Dale Head, a seasoned expert in aerial firefighting. With a rich background in both the fire service and aviation, Dale shares his journey and insights into the high-stakes world of aerial firefighting. The conversation kicks off with Da...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS !   In this landmark two-part series celebrating our 200th episode, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray have the honor of welcoming Kevin Means, a legendary figure in law enforcement aviation, and the familiar voice you hear at the beginning of every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast.   This special series dives deep into Kevin'...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS !   In this landmark two-part series celebrating our 200th episode, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray have the honor of welcoming Kevin Means, a legendary figure in law enforcement aviation, and the familiar voice you hear at the beginning of every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast.   This special series dives deep into Kevin'...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! This episode was recorded on location in Washington, D.C., from the D.C. 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 public safety aviation units, showcasing some of the heroes who exemplify courage, dedication, and selfles...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! This episode was recorded on location in Washington, D.C., from the D.C. 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 public safety aviation units, showcasing some of the heroes who exemplify courage, dedication, and selfles...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, Vertical Valor ’s Scott Dworkin and Jon Gray visit the Kern County Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit at their hangar in Bakersfield, California. While there, we witnessed the operation of their impressive aviation program.  During the podcast, we discuss the evolution of their avi...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS ! In this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, Vertical Valor ’s Scott Dworkin and Jon Gray visit the Kern County Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit at their hangar in Bakersfield, California. While there, we witnessed the operation of their impressive aviation program.  During the podcast, we discuss the evolution of their avi...