The Hangar Z Podcast

By Jon Gray

A podcast where we explore the personnel and equipment behind the missions in Public Safety Aviation.

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4.9

9797 ratings

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How many episodes does The Hangar Z Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 395 episodes available.

Best of The Hangar Z Podcast

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: Beyond the mission: The strategy behind justifying your air support program part 1 | Ep 388
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. Celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Hangar Z Podcast, host Jack Schonely steps into the lead chair, alongside Jon Gray, for a comprehensive two-part panel dedicated to one of the most critical, yet frequently overlooked, elements of airborne public safety: Internal and external unit marketing. Joined by industry veteran Terry Miyauchi of TM Consulting, Sgt Wade Bourassa of the Saskatoon Police Service, and Kyle Fields, integrated marketing manager at Bell, the group dives deep into what it truly takes to justify, protect, and expand an aviation program in today’s political and fiscal landscape. Far beyond the day-to-day tactical missions, long-term operational survival hinges on shifting away from the traditional "quiet professional" mindset to actively educate decision-makers, city councils, command staff, and the citizens they serve. Across this special series, the panel explores how to craft compelling narratives out of raw data, revealing why highlighting operational limitations and missed missions can often carry far more political leverage than routine success stories. The discussion unpacks practical, field-tested marketing strategies, ranging from using short-form video and strategic social media engagement to cut through red tape, to breaking down bureaucratic walls by flying key city stakeholders including finance, IT, economic development, and fire services. Crucially, the conversation reinforces that no public relations campaign can survive without baseline operational credibility. Drawing parallels to elite special operations aviation, the panel emphasizes that air support is fundamentally about customer service: Cultivating ground-unit trust, staying in your lane, and recognizing that word-of-mouth reputation among patrol officers will always remain an air unit's most powerful advocate. Thank you to our sponsors BLR Aerospace, Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch and Robinson Helicopter.
September 24, 20261h 10min
Number 2: Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 2 of 3 | Ep 377
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. This is a three-part podcast! Make sure you listen to all three. Today, we're honored to welcome retired San Diego Police Department Chief Pilot Todd Jager. Todd is a true aviation professional with more than 10,000 hours of rotorcraft flight time, over 1,000 hours in fixed-wing aircraft, and more than 4,100 hours as a Tactical Flight Officer. Throughout his remarkable career, Todd played a pivotal role in training both pilots and Tactical Flight Officers. Alongside his longtime partner, Kevin Means, he helped develop many of the FLIR tactics, techniques, Crew Resource Management principles, and operational procedures that have become standard practice for law enforcement aviation units around the world. In this first episode, we discuss the importance of recording airborne incidents, how that capability evolved within the San Diego Police Department's Air Support Unit, and why those recordings have become such valuable tools for training, accountability, and learning. We also take an in-depth look at aviation safety within a law enforcement aviation unit, with Todd sharing the lessons he's learned from decades of operational flying and leadership. Todd takes us behind the scenes of the legendary San Diego tank pursuit. As the Tactical Flight Officer during the incident, he captured the entire 30-minute pursuit on video and shares the complete story—from what was happening in the aircraft to the critical decisions being made in real time. Whether you're a pilot, Tactical Flight Officer, or simply fascinated by aviation and police operations, these are conversations you won't want to miss. YouTube video clips courtesy of CBS 8 San Diego Evening News. The full video can be watched here. Thank you to our sponsors CNC Technologies, MD Helicopters and Metro Aviation.
August 13, 20261h 15min
Number 3: Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 1 of 3 | Ep 376
Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. This is a three-part podcast! Make sure you listen to all three. Today, we're honored to welcome retired San Diego Police Department Chief Pilot Todd Jager. Todd is a true aviation professional with more than 10,000 hours of rotorcraft flight time, over 1,000 hours in fixed-wing aircraft, and more than 4,100 hours as a Tactical Flight Officer. Throughout his remarkable career, Todd played a pivotal role in training both pilots and Tactical Flight Officers. Alongside his longtime partner, Kevin Means, he helped develop many of the FLIR tactics, techniques, Crew Resource Management principles, and operational procedures that have become standard practice for law enforcement aviation units around the world. In this first episode, we discuss the importance of recording airborne incidents, how that capability evolved within the San Diego Police Department's Air Support Unit, and why those recordings have become such valuable tools for training, accountability, and learning. We also take an in-depth look at aviation safety within a law enforcement aviation unit, with Todd sharing the lessons he's learned from decades of operational flying and leadership. Todd takes us behind the scenes of the legendary San Diego tank pursuit. As the Tactical Flight Officer during the incident, he captured the entire 30-minute pursuit on video and shares the complete story—from what was happening in the aircraft to the critical decisions being made in real time. Whether you're a pilot, Tactical Flight Officer, or simply fascinated by aviation and police operations, these are conversations you won't want to miss. YouTube video clips courtesy of CBS 8 San Diego Evening News. The full video can be watched here. Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Precision Aviation Group and SHOTOVER.
August 10, 20261h 15min
Number 4: Episode 179 - Aviation Excellence: Oxford PD's MD530F Success Part II
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! Thank you to MD Helicopters for sponsoring this special in-person interview with Jake Durham and Drew Muench from the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit. The Oxford Police Department chose the MD Helicopters 530F model as its primary airborne mission platform due to its exceptional versatility and performance characteristics, tailored to their operational needs. The MD530F's agility and maneuverability make it ideal for various law enforcement tasks, including surveillance, search-and-rescue operations, and aerial patrols. Its powerful Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine provides reliable performance in both urban and rural environments, crucial for the department's diverse operational landscape. The helicopter's compact size allows for efficient deployment and maneuvering in tight spaces, enhancing operational flexibility during critical missions. Equipped with advanced avionics and mission-specific equipment, the MD530F ensures enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness, enabling the Oxford Police Department to uphold public safety and respond swiftly to emergencies across their jurisdiction. To discuss the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit, Jack Schonely speaks with Lt Jake Durham, the mastermind and commander behind Oxford’s aviation unit, and Drew Muench, the chief maintenance pilot inside Oxford’s beautifully purpose-built hangar. Jake Durham has deep roots in law enforcement and public safety that shaped his aspirations. Inspired by his family's legacy and an influential flight with the Alabama State Troopers Aviation Unit in 1997, Jake pursued a career in law enforcement. Starting as a patrolman with the Piedmont Police Department in 2003, he later joined the Oxford Police Department, where he climbed the ranks to lieutenant. Jake's visionary leadership led to the creation of the Oxford Police Department’s Aviation Support Unit in 2011, despite initial setbacks. He meticulously developed the administrative components and overcame challenges in acquiring suitable aircraft. From a motor-glider in 2013 to an OH-6, and later a TH-67, Jake's persistence paid off. In 2016, he designed and managed the construction of the department’s Special Operations Facility, housing the Emergency Services Unit, Technical Services Unit, and Aviation Support Unit. Jake's dedication continued with the refurbishment of an OH-6A helicopter in 2020 and the procurement of an MD530F in 2021, enhancing the unit's capabilities. Chief maintenance pilot Drew Muench’s aviation career spans over three decades. Starting his flying career in 1983 as a line boy at a small airport, he earned his flight time through dedication and passion. His journey took a pivotal turn in 1988, when he began his path to become a Marine Aviator, only to pivot to the Army due to an injury at OCS. Serving 10 years as an Army Pilot, he mastered multiple aircraft including the AH-1, UH-1, OH-58, and CH-47, and became an esteemed instructor pilot. Transitioning to civilian life as an airline pilot, he faced challenges such as furloughs but found his place at NetJets, where he thrived as a Citation X captain and international training instructor. His dedication to aviation extended to helping establish the Oxford Air Support Unit in 2015, where he continues to guide the unit as chief pilot. Thank you to our special Sponsor MD Helicopters as well as Garmin and Wysong Enterprises.
July 18, 20241h 1min
Number 5: Episode 178- Aviation Excellence: Oxford PD's MD530F Success Part I
Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! Thank you to MD Helicopters for sponsoring this special in-person interview with Jake Durham and Drew Muench from the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit. The Oxford Police Department chose the MD Helicopters 530F model as its primary airborne mission platform due to its exceptional versatility and performance characteristics, tailored to their operational needs. The MD530F's agility and maneuverability make it ideal for various law enforcement tasks, including surveillance, search-and-rescue operations, and aerial patrols. Its powerful Rolls-Royce 250-C30 engine provides reliable performance in both urban and rural environments, crucial for the department's diverse operational landscape. The helicopter's compact size allows for efficient deployment and maneuvering in tight spaces, enhancing operational flexibility during critical missions. Equipped with advanced avionics and mission-specific equipment, the MD530F ensures enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness, enabling the Oxford Police Department to uphold public safety and respond swiftly to emergencies across their jurisdiction. To discuss the Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit, Jack Schonely speaks with Lt Jake Durham, the mastermind and commander behind Oxford’s aviation unit, and Drew Muench, the chief maintenance pilot inside Oxford’s beautifully purpose-built hangar. Jake Durham has deep roots in law enforcement and public safety that shaped his aspirations. Inspired by his family's legacy and an influential flight with the Alabama State Troopers Aviation Unit in 1997, Jake pursued a career in law enforcement. Starting as a patrolman with the Piedmont Police Department in 2003, he later joined the Oxford Police Department, where he climbed the ranks to lieutenant. Jake's visionary leadership led to the creation of the Oxford Police Department’s Aviation Support Unit in 2011, despite initial setbacks. He meticulously developed the administrative components and overcame challenges in acquiring suitable aircraft. From a motor-glider in 2013 to an OH-6, and later a TH-67, Jake's persistence paid off. In 2016, he designed and managed the construction of the department’s Special Operations Facility, housing the Emergency Services Unit, Technical Services Unit, and Aviation Support Unit. Jake's dedication continued with the refurbishment of an OH-6A helicopter in 2020 and the procurement of an MD530F in 2021, enhancing the unit's capabilities. Chief maintenance pilot Drew Muench’s aviation career spans over three decades. Starting his flying career in 1983 as a line boy at a small airport, he earned his flight time through dedication and passion. His journey took a pivotal turn in 1988, when he began his path to become a Marine Aviator, only to pivot to the Army due to an injury at OCS. Serving 10 years as an Army Pilot, he mastered multiple aircraft including the AH-1, UH-1, OH-58, and CH-47, and became an esteemed instructor pilot. Transitioning to civilian life as an airline pilot, he faced challenges such as furloughs but found his place at NetJets, where he thrived as a Citation X captain and international training instructor. His dedication to aviation extended to helping establish the Oxford Air Support Unit in 2015, where he continues to guide the unit as chief pilot. Thank you to our special Sponsor MD Helicopters as well as SHOTOVER and Technisonic.
July 15, 20241h 4min