Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. 

In this episode we are heading to Modesto, California, to hear how a brand-new air support unit was built from the ground up, and how it’s already changing the way the department fights crime, protects officers, and serves the community.

Lt Mike Hicks and Lt Kalani Souza were both involved from the opening decision to start an air unit. They share the process and the many challenges involved within funding, airframe choice, acquiring the airframe, and then finding to right crews members.

They also discuss the immediate benefits of air support in supporting patrol operations including a dramatic reduction in crime.

Thank you to our sponsors BLR Aerospace, Dallas Avionics and Robinson Helicopter.

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. 

In this episode we are heading to Modesto, California, to hear how a brand-new air support unit was built from the ground up, and how it’s already changing the way the department fights crime, protects officers, and serves the community.

Lt Mike Hicks and Lt Kalani Souza were both involved from the opening decision to start an air unit. They share the process and the many challenges involved within funding, airframe choice, acquiring the airframe, and then finding to right crews members.

They also discuss the immediate benefits of air support in supporting patrol operations including a dramatic reduction in crime.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Onboard Systems & Hoist & Winch and Spectrolab.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.
 
In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Clay Lacey of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harald Brink of the Dutch National Police to explore the 25-plus-year legacy of Jack Schonely’s tactical training. 
 
From individual officer safety to agency-wide operations, Jack’s framework for apprehending fleeing suspects has become a global standard for pilots, tactical flight officers, and K-9 handlers alike.
 
In this episode, the group reflects on the leadership and shared experiences that have shaped law enforcement tactics across the U.S. and Europe. Harald provides a global perspective and previews his upcoming course on locating missing persons, while Clay shares hard-earned insights on the humility required to mentor the next generation. 
 
The conversation also explores what it takes to become an effective instructor, focusing on authenticity over ego. Finally, the group looks ahead to the ECHO 2026 Public Safety Aviation Conference in Philadelphia. If you’re committed to tactical training, instructor development, and the future of public safety aviation, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Dallas Avionics, Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.
 
In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Clay Lacey of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harald Brink of the Dutch National Police to explore the 25-plus-year legacy of Jack Schonely’s tactical training. 
 
From individual officer safety to agency-wide operations, Jack’s framework for apprehending fleeing suspects has become a global standard for pilots, tactical flight officers, and K-9 handlers alike.
 
In this episode, the group reflects on the leadership and shared experiences that have shaped law enforcement tactics across the U.S. and Europe. Harald provides a global perspective and previews his upcoming course on locating missing persons, while Clay shares hard-earned insights on the humility required to mentor the next generation. 
 
The conversation also explores what it takes to become an effective instructor, focusing on authenticity over ego. Finally, the group looks ahead to the ECHO 2026 Public Safety Aviation Conference in Philadelphia. If you’re committed to tactical training, instructor development, and the future of public safety aviation, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, CNC Technologies and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.

On today's episode, we're taking you to California's Central Valley as we visit the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit. Joining us are Deputy AJ Nikkel and Deputy Tyler Liburdi, who both serve as pilots and tactical flight officers. 

We'll explore the fascinating evolution of their aviation unit—from its beginnings as a volunteer organization to the professional operation it is today. 

We also discuss long-line rescue operations, the training and proficiency required to perform these demanding missions, and the unit's first successful real-world water rescue. Plus, we talk about the importance of providing support from above and the value of working seamlessly with neighboring aviation units. 

We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Thank you to our sponsors CNC Technologies, Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch and Wysong Enterprises.

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.

On today's episode, we're taking you to California's Central Valley as we visit the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit. Joining us are Deputy AJ Nikkel and Deputy Tyler Liburdi, who both serve as pilots and tactical flight officers. 

We'll explore the fascinating evolution of their aviation unit—from its beginnings as a volunteer organization to the professional operation it is today. 

We also discuss long-line rescue operations, the training and proficiency required to perform these demanding missions, and the unit's first successful real-world water rescue. Plus, we talk about the importance of providing support from above and the value of working seamlessly with neighboring aviation units. 

We hope you enjoy the conversation.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, Precision Aviation Group and Spectrolab.

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Valor Plus. 

Today's episode is a special collaboration with our friends from the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and we're tackling a topic that impacts every one of us in aviation — fatigue. 

Joining us for this outstanding panel discussion are the hosts of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider. We are also honored to welcome a highly respected aviator with decades of experience, former HEMS pilot Woody McClendon. 

Fatigue is truly the danger you can't see. Unlike weather, mechanical issues, or other operational hazards, fatigue can quietly affect our judgment, decision-making, situational awareness, and overall performance long before we recognize its impact. Whether you're a pilot, TFO, crew member, mechanic, dispatcher, or supervisor, fatigue affects all of us. And in public safety aviation, the demands of shift work can make managing fatigue an even greater challenge. 

The reality is that fatigue is not a possibility — it is an inevitability. The question is not if fatigue will contribute to an incident or accident in public safety aviation, but when. That is why open and honest conversations like this one are so important. 

In this episode, we'll discuss safety initiatives designed to mitigate fatigue, the role of flight risk assessment tools, crew readiness, organizational responsibility, and personal accountability. Most importantly, our panel shares real-world experiences and lessons learned from careers spent operating in demanding environments where fatigue was often a constant factor. 

This is a candid, informative, and thought-provoking discussion that every aviation professional should hear. 

So settle in and join us as we explore one of the most significant — and often overlooked — threats to aviation safety. This is the Hangar Z Podcast in collaboration with the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and the conversation starts right now. 

Read the related article by Tania Glenn - Sleep Under Stress in the Spring 2026 issue of Valor Plus.

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Robinson Helicopter and SHOTOVER Systems.

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Valor Plus. 

Today's episode is a special collaboration with our friends from the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and we're tackling a topic that impacts every one of us in aviation — fatigue. 

Joining us for this outstanding panel discussion are the hosts of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider. We are also honored to welcome a highly respected aviator with decades of experience, former HEMS pilot Woody McClendon. 

Fatigue is truly the danger you can't see. Unlike weather, mechanical issues, or other operational hazards, fatigue can quietly affect our judgment, decision-making, situational awareness, and overall performance long before we recognize its impact. Whether you're a pilot, TFO, crew member, mechanic, dispatcher, or supervisor, fatigue affects all of us. And in public safety aviation, the demands of shift work can make managing fatigue an even greater challenge. 

The reality is that fatigue is not a possibility — it is an inevitability. The question is not if fatigue will contribute to an incident or accident in public safety aviation, but when. That is why open and honest conversations like this one are so important. 

In this episode, we'll discuss safety initiatives designed to mitigate fatigue, the role of flight risk assessment tools, crew readiness, organizational responsibility, and personal accountability. Most importantly, our panel shares real-world experiences and lessons learned from careers spent operating in demanding environments where fatigue was often a constant factor. 

This is a candid, informative, and thought-provoking discussion that every aviation professional should hear. 

So settle in and join us as we explore one of the most significant — and often overlooked — threats to aviation safety. This is the Hangar Z Podcast in collaboration with the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and the conversation starts right now. 

Read the related article by Tania Glenn - Sleep Under Stress in the Spring 2026 issue of Valor Plus.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, BLR Aerospace and Wysong Enterprises.

Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS in partnership with Valor Plus.

On today’s episode, we’re pleased to welcome the two candidates for the Airborne Public Safety Association’s Northeast Regional Director position. Joining us are Eric Bourn of the South Berwick Police Department and Lt. Jason Baxley of the Delaware State Police.

This special episode provides an opportunity for APSA members to hear directly from the candidates as they introduce themselves, discuss their backgrounds and experience, and answer three questions that are important to the future of public safety aviation and the association they hope to serve.

The Hangar Z Podcast is honored to partner with APSA in providing a platform for these candidates to share their perspectives with the membership ahead of the election. Our goal is to give voters an opportunity to learn more about each candidate and make an informed decision.

For more information about the Airborne Public Safety Association, visit publicsafetyaviation.org.

Thank you for joining us, and now let’s meet the candidates for APSA Northeast Regional Director.

Thank you to our sponsors Spectrolab, Summit Aviation and Robinson Helicopter.

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus.

In this comprehensive two-part conversation, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Tamrin Olden, founder of TOC Public Relations, to discuss why social media has become a mission-critical tool for modern public safety. 

Moving beyond the "ancillary duty" mindset, Tamrin explains how a strategic digital presence is the foundation for community trust, transparency, and successful recruitment.

Throughout this episode, we dive deep into the friction between traditional law enforcement leadership and the fast-paced digital world, exploring how to overcome the "paralysis by analysis" that often keeps agencies silent. 

Tamrin breaks down the difference between "vanity metrics" (like viral dance videos) and "value-driven content" that authentically showcases the expertise and humanity of a department.

Key topics discussed in this episode include:

The Strategy of Storytelling: Why agencies like Phoenix PD and Irvine PD succeed by focusing on "Human-Centered Storytelling" rather than just posed award photos.

Aviation and Specialized Units: Tactical advice for air units on using social media to justify budgets, educate the public on capabilities, and provide a "peek behind the curtain" through Tech Tuesdays.

Overcoming Leadership Hurdles: How to "supervise up" and package social media proposals that address administrative fears regarding negative comments and legal liability.

Crisis Communications: Why the phrase, “no comment,” is a strategy for failure. We discuss lessons learned from major incidents like Ferguson and Uvalde, and the importance of releasing facts on your own terms to control the narrative.

The Digital Recruitment War: Why your agency’s "digital fingerprint" is the first thing a potential recruit looks at, and how to use social media for attracting new talent and retaining current staff.

Whether you are a social media manager, a unit leader, or a command staff member, this episode provides a tactical "starter pack" for building a professional, effective, and transparent communication strategy.

Check out TOC Public Relations at www.tocpublicrelations.com/

Thank you to our sponsors Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch, Metro Aviation and Trakka Systems.