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

In this two-part series, Mike Calhoun and Jon Gray sit down with Andrew Edgerton, chief pilot of the Fairfax County Police Department. 

The Fairfax County Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in Virginia, serving a population of over 1.1 million residents. Fairfax County borders the Potomac River, with Washington, D.C., directly across on the northern and eastern banks.

Edgerton discusses his experiences flying in and around Washington, D.C., which is arguably the world's most restrictive airspace. He also talks about his journey into aviation and law enforcement, as well as the role of certified flight instructors (CFIs) and training in the industry.

The group also discusses the use of civilian pilots in law enforcement aviation, and recruitment and retention issues in the field. They discuss the importance of crew coordination and the transition from being an electronic newsgathering (ENG) pilot to a law enforcement pilot. 

Lastly, Edgerton provides an overview of the Fairfax County Police Department and the opportunities available within the agency.


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