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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

In this two-part series, we have an opportunity to sit down with the Riverside California Police Department Director of Maintenance Matt Pagano.

This conversation was recorded on location at the Airborne Public Safety Association conference (APSCON) in Phoenix, Arizona.

Matt has dedicated over 22 years to the Riverside Police Department’s Air Support Unit. From maintaining a fleet that includes MD 500s to Airbus H125s, his expertise spans a wide range of aircraft. 

Matt also mentors new maintenance technicians and champions a safety-first culture. Matt’s leadership, professionalism, and unwavering work ethic have left a lasting impact, exemplifying the highest standards in airborne public safety.

Before his career in public safety, Matt served in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he gained valuable experience that laid the foundation for his meticulous approach to aircraft maintenance and safety. 

As we often discuss the critical importance of our maintenance technicians, I’m honored to celebrate and promote the outstanding work Matt has accomplished throughout his career.

Thank you to our sponsors Night Flight Concepts, Robinson Helicopter and Spectrolab.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

In this two-part series, we have an opportunity to sit down with the Riverside California Police Department Director of Maintenance Matt Pagano.

This conversation was recorded on location at the Airborne Public Safety Association conference (APSCON) in Phoenix, Arizona.

Matt has dedicated over 22 years to the Riverside Police Department’s Air Support Unit. From maintaining a fleet that includes MD 500s to Airbus H125s, his expertise spans a wide range of aircraft. 

Matt also mentors new maintenance technicians and champions a safety-first culture. Matt’s leadership, professionalism, and unwavering work ethic have left a lasting impact, exemplifying the highest standards in airborne public safety.

Before his career in public safety, Matt served in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he gained valuable experience that laid the foundation for his meticulous approach to aircraft maintenance and safety. 

As we often discuss the critical importance of our maintenance technicians, I’m honored to celebrate and promote the outstanding work Matt has accomplished throughout his career.

Thank you to our sponsors Canyon AeroConnect, SHOTOVER and Spectrolab.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

In today’s episode, we’re joined by an incredible guest—Liz Booker, also known as The Literary Aviatrix. Liz’s story is one of true grit, service, and inspiration. She dropped out of high school and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, beginning her journey as a deck hand before moving on to become a navigator, and later earning her commission through Officer Candidate School.

Liz went on to serve as a Coast Guard pilot flying the H-65 Dolphin and completed an extraordinary 28-year career, retiring at the rank of Commander (O-6). Along the way, she earned her bachelor’s degree and not one but two master’s degrees—one of them from the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

What began as a hobby—the Aviatrix Book Club—has since grown into a thriving community that celebrates women in aviation and storytelling. Liz’s mission to connect, inspire, and empower through literature has resonated across the aviation world.

We’re thrilled to have Liz with us to share her remarkable journey and the evolution of The Literary Aviatrix project.

Thank you to our sponsors HelliLadder, Metro Aviation and Night Flight Concepts.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

In today’s episode, we’re joined by an incredible guest—Liz Booker, also known as The Literary Aviatrix. Liz’s story is one of true grit, service, and inspiration. She dropped out of high school and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, beginning her journey as a deck hand before moving on to become a navigator, and later earning her commission through Officer Candidate School.

Liz went on to serve as a Coast Guard pilot flying the H-65 Dolphin and completed an extraordinary 28-year career, retiring at the rank of Commander (O-6). Along the way, she earned her bachelor’s degree and not one but two master’s degrees—one of them from the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

What began as a hobby—the Aviatrix Book Club—has since grown into a thriving community that celebrates women in aviation and storytelling. Liz’s mission to connect, inspire, and empower through literature has resonated across the aviation world.

We’re thrilled to have Liz with us to share her remarkable journey and the evolution of The Literary Aviatrix project.

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, Robinson Helicopter and Summit Aviation.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

This two-part series was recorded on location in San Diego at the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Air Support Hangar, as part of the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour.

The 2025 Blades of Valor Tour took us to four agencies across four states, showcasing their exceptional work through print, video, and right here on the podcast.

The Blades of Valor tour wouldn’t be possible without the support of Airbus and Massif Flight Suits.

The San Diego Police Department Air Support Unit has an outstanding program supporting airborne law enforcement operations throughout the city and county of San Diego.

During this conversation, we are privileged to speak with Matt Zdunich, sergeant of the San Diego Police Department Air Support Unit. Sgt Zdunich comes from a family of dedicated San Diego police officers.

A graduate of Marine Corps Officer Candidates School and University of California San Diego, Sgt Zdunich was hired by SDPD right after college and started the police academy the same week as his finals. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from National University after five years on the force.

Sgt Zdunich has been with SDPD for 24 years. His first 10 years were at Central Division, where he gained experience in patrol, SWAT, FTO, crime suppression, undercover narcotics, and acting sergeant roles. He’s been part of the Air Support Unit for over 13 years, progressing from tactical flight officer (TFO) to pilot, then to TFO trainer, flight instructor, and now chief pilot. In February 2025, he was promoted to sergeant and will soon oversee maintenance and safety, while continuing his duties as a TFO, pilot-in-command, and trainer.

These conversations highlight the importance of solid leadership, a great unit culture, and utilizing emerging technology to make your unit more effective and efficient.

Want more from our time with the SDPD Air Support Unit? A full profile is landing soon on verticalmag.com. Until then, dive into Jack Schonely’s look at how San Diego is applying FLIR tech to elevate aerial policing, and relive our 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour through the incredible video captured by Lloyd Horgan. Stay tuned — we’re gearing up for another year as the Blades of Valor Road Tour continues in 2026.

Thank you to our sponsors CNC Technologies, Metro Aviation and Quantum Helicopters.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

This two-part series was recorded on location in San Diego at the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Air Support Hangar, as part of the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour.

The 2025 Blades of Valor Tour took us to four agencies across four states, showcasing their exceptional work through print, video, and right here on the podcast.

The Blades of Valor tour wouldn’t be possible without the support of Airbus and Massif Flight Suits.

The San Diego Police Department Air Support Unit has an outstanding program supporting airborne law enforcement operations throughout the city and county of San Diego.

During this conversation, we are privileged to speak with Matt Zdunich, sergeant of the San Diego Police Department Air Support Unit. Sgt Zdunich comes from a family of dedicated San Diego police officers.

A graduate of Marine Corps Officer Candidates School and University of California San Diego, Sgt Zdunich was hired by SDPD right after college and started the police academy the same week as his finals. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from National University after five years on the force.

Sgt Zdunich has been with SDPD for 24 years. His first 10 years were at Central Division, where he gained experience in patrol, SWAT, FTO, crime suppression, undercover narcotics, and acting sergeant roles. He’s been part of the Air Support Unit for over 13 years, progressing from tactical flight officer (TFO) to pilot, then to TFO trainer, flight instructor, and now chief pilot. In February 2025, he was promoted to sergeant and will soon oversee maintenance and safety, while continuing his duties as a TFO, pilot-in-command, and trainer.

These conversations highlight the importance of solid leadership, a great unit culture, and utilizing emerging technology to make your unit more effective and efficient.

Want more from our time with the SDPD Air Support Unit? A full profile is landing soon on verticalmag.com. Until then, dive into Jack Schonely’s look at how San Diego is applying FLIR tech to elevate aerial policing, and relive our 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour through the incredible video captured by Lloyd Horgan. Stay tuned — we’re gearing up for another year as the Blades of Valor Road Tour continues in 2026.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, CNC Technologies and SHOTOVER.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

This special episode was originally recorded for the Vertical MRO Podcast. The information in the recording was so valuable, I felt the Hangar Z community needed to hear it. Ronnie Ries, a co-host of the Vertical MRO Podcast, and I, sit down with Jamie Wood, CEO and founder of the bio-technology platform Autonomic.

Jamie is changing the way people think and learn about their brains. Through neuroscience-based products and cutting edge technologies, her mission is to elevate human potential by bringing personalized brain health solutions to the masses. 

Jamie’s work focuses on supporting driven individuals in high-demand environments that rely heavily on their cognitive abilities.  This includes helicopter pilots, tactical flight officers, maintenance engineers, executives, leaders, employees, athletes, and students. 

Jamie is a speaker, mentor, brain performance expert, and researcher. Having bootstrapped her brain performance technology company and brought a scientifically proven cognitive enhancement solution to market, Jamie understands the unique demands placed upon the brains of highly driven individuals in high-performance environments. 

Jamie has worked with some of the most exciting up-and-coming leaders in tech, gaming, extraction, marketing, student organizations, and big data. 

Jamie has led groundbreaking research studies looking at brain health in high-stress environments using Mobile EEG, and sits on the cutting edge of brain health technology working alongside world leading neuroscientists. She has worked with over 100 founders and is a sought after speaker for Fortune 500 companies and top tech conferences including the Vertical MRO Conference. 

During the conversation we explore the critical role of cognitive performance in aviation maintenance and operations. Jamie shares her work with aviation maintenance colleges and organizations, where she has built effective programs to help address burnout and improve focus and mental sharpness. 

Together, we unpack how fatigue, hydration, nutrition, and sleep, directly affect safety and high performance in the hangar and beyond.

This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about human performance, aviation safety, and creating an environment that empowers teams to thrive.

Thank you to our sponsors Canyon AeroConnect, Precision Aviation Group and Summit Aviation.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

This special episode was recorded on location at the Vertical MRO Conference in Irving, Texas, where we had the opportunity to talk with Emmy Award winner Clint Pulver.

Clint is an author, keynote speaker, professional drummer, helicopter pilot and partner in the helicopter apparel company HeliLife.

Clint was previously on The Hangar Z Podcast in episodes 230 and 231, where we explored the vital role of effective leadership in the realms of public safety and aviation.

In this conversation we talk about Clint’s apparel company HeliLife. HeliLife is brand born from a love of aviation and a dedication to quality. Founded by helicopter pilots and enthusiasts, HeliLife creates premium outdoor gear designed specifically for pilots. Their mission is to deliver high-performance gear.

We also get an opportunity to talk about Clint's nonprofit organization called Dream Machines. Dream Machines is committed to giving children with disabilities the magic of flight. Through unforgettable experiences on the ground and in the air, Dream Machines creates moments of wonder and hope for these young dreamers, working closely with partners like Make-A-Wish and local disability services to turn dreams into reality.

Join us as we explore how HeliLife’s passion for quality and Clint’s creation of community initiatives like Dream Machines is helping elevate the aviation community for pilots and for those who need a little extra magic in their lives.

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, HeliLadder and Quantum Helicopters.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Today’s episode was recorded on the floor of APSCON 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Vertical Valor/Hangar Z booth. Each year the Airborne Public Safety Association presents awards in a wide variety of categories. We were lucky enough this year to record with a couple of those recipients, including our guest today.

Deputy Nicholas Romano is a 25-year veteran of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and recipient of this year’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Award. Nicholas serves as the UAS coordinator for his department and has firmly established himself as a subject matter expert throughout Florida.

We discuss his tech background as an investigator, what drew him to the UAS world, the value of the UAS unit working under manned air support, how UAS units are evolving, manned and unmanned integration, and what the future of UAS looks like in law enforcement.

Thank you again for your support of the Hangar Z Podcast.

Check out the other podcasts on the Vertical Helicasts platform which includes The Real Rescue Podcast, The Helicopter Podcast, The Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and the Vertical MRO Podcast.

Thank you to our sponsors Becker Avionics, Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch and Wysong Enterprises.

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

Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

Today’s episode was recorded on the floor of APSCON 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Vertical Valor/Hangar Z booth. Each year the Airborne Public Safety Association presents awards in a wide variety of categories. We were lucky enough this year to record with a couple of those recipients, including our guest today.

Deputy Nicholas Romano is a 25-year veteran of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and recipient of this year’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Award. Nicholas serves as the UAS coordinator for his department and has firmly established himself as a subject matter expert throughout Florida.

We discuss his tech background as an investigator, what drew him to the UAS world, the value of the UAS unit working under manned air support, how UAS units are evolving, manned and unmanned integration, and what the future of UAS looks like in law enforcement.

Thank you again for your support of the Hangar Z Podcast.

Check out the other podcasts on the Vertical Helicasts platform which includes The Real Rescue Podcast, The Helicopter Podcast, The Valor Flight Crew Podcast, and the Vertical MRO Podcast.

Thank you to our sponsors Astronautics Corporation of America, Robinson Helicopter and Spectrolab.