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 episode, host Jon Gray, along with co-hosts Jack Schonely and Bryan Smith, sit down for an in-depth conversation with Tactical Flying’s Ryan Welch.

Ryan, a seasoned law enforcement officer turned Major League Baseball authenticator, shares his remarkable journey from serving 16 years with the San Diego Police Department to becoming a senior tactical flight officer, specializing in airborne thermal imaging and airborne law enforcement tactics. 

In the conversation we discuss the vital role of training, mentorship, and community involvement, as well as the evolution of technology in law enforcement operations. From scenario-based training to the integration of unmanned systems, Ryan, a tactics instructor for Tactical Flying, provides invaluable insights into ensuring operational safety and effectiveness, highlighting the critical importance of ongoing, continuous training.

Whether you’re interested in aviation, law enforcement, or leadership, this episode delivers expert knowledge and inspiring stories from a truly accomplished professional.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Garmin and Metro 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!

In this episode, host Jon Gray, along with co-hosts Jack Schonely and Bryan Smith, sit down for an in-depth conversation with Tactical Flying’s Ryan Welch.

Ryan, a seasoned law enforcement officer turned Major League Baseball authenticator, shares his remarkable journey from serving 16 years with the San Diego Police Department to becoming a senior tactical flight officer, specializing in airborne thermal imaging and airborne law enforcement tactics. 

In the conversation we discuss the vital role of training, mentorship, and community involvement, as well as the evolution of technology in law enforcement operations. From scenario-based training to the integration of unmanned systems, Ryan, a tactics instructor for Tactical Flying, provides invaluable insights into ensuring operational safety and effectiveness, highlighting the critical importance of ongoing, continuous training.

Whether you’re interested in aviation, law enforcement, or leadership, this episode delivers expert knowledge and inspiring stories from a truly accomplished professional.

Thank you to our sponsors BLR Aerospace, Robinson Helicopter 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!

In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and guest co-host Terry Miyauchi speak with prior Japanese Coast Guard Pilot Hajime "Jimmy" Sagane.

Jimmy speaks excellent English, but for the best experience, we recommend watching this episode on our HeliCASTS YouTube page to enjoy the benefits of closed captioning. During our conversation, Jimmy recounts the historic and tragic events that unfolded after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. This devastating quake triggered a massive tsunami that claimed over 20,000 lives and critically damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant's cooling system.

Jimmy shares gripping firsthand accounts of the heroic efforts during Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami, including the challenges of search-and-rescue missions, the use of helicopters in cooling efforts, and the emotional weight of recovery work. 

Join us as we dive into a compelling conversation about resilience, preparedness, and the dedication of those who serve in public safety aviation. 

Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter, Spectrolab 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!

In this two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and guest co-host Terry Miyauchi speak with prior Japanese Coast Guard Pilot Hajime "Jimmy" Sagane.

Jimmy speaks excellent English, but for the best experience, we recommend watching this episode on our HeliCASTS YouTube page to enjoy the benefits of closed captioning. During our conversation, Jimmy recounts the historic and tragic events that unfolded after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. This devastating quake triggered a massive tsunami that claimed over 20,000 lives and critically damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant's cooling system.

Jimmy shares gripping firsthand accounts of the heroic efforts during Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami, including the challenges of search-and-rescue missions, the use of helicopters in cooling efforts, and the emotional weight of recovery work. 

Join us as we dive into a compelling conversation about resilience, preparedness, and the dedication of those who serve in public safety aviation. 

Thank you to our sponsors Dallas Avionics, Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch 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 Jack Schonely and Jon Gray are extremely honored to be joined by retired United States Navy Commander Scott “Scooter” Moyer.

Scott served 21 distinguished years as a naval aviator, flying the iconic F-14 Tomcat. His impressive list of decorations includes the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Meritorious Service Medal, seven Combat Air Medals, and various other personal and unit awards.

Over the course of his career, he logged more than 4,600 hours, 725 carrier landings, and flew over 80 combat missions.

Among his many achievements, Scott was also selected to join the Navy’s elite Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, an honor reserved for the very best.

Join us as we explore his incredible journey from aspiring pilot to college student, to Naval aviator, to Blue Angel, and eventually, a career in commercial aviation.

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review so we can continue to bring great conversations like this to you.

Thank you to our sponsors BLR Aerospace, Precision Aviation Group and SHOTOVER Systems.

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 Jack Schonely and Jon Gray are extremely honored to be joined by retired United States Navy Commander Scott “Scooter” Moyer.

Scott served 21 distinguished years as a naval aviator, flying the iconic F-14 Tomcat. His impressive list of decorations includes the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Meritorious Service Medal, seven Combat Air Medals, and various other personal and unit awards.

Over the course of his career, he logged more than 4,600 hours, 725 carrier landings, and flew over 80 combat missions.

Among his many achievements, Scott was also selected to join the Navy’s elite Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, an honor reserved for the very best.

Join us as we explore his incredible journey from aspiring pilot to college student, to Naval aviator, to Blue Angel, and eventually, a career in commercial aviation.

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review so we can continue to bring great conversations like this to you.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Dallas Avionics and Wysong Enterprises.

Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and 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, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely were joined by Johnny Gray III and David Baumann, two remarkable crew chiefs from L.A. County Fire Department's air operations. 

They take us on a compelling journey—from their athletic backgrounds to their vital roles in emergency services—highlighting the importance of teamwork, leadership, and mental resilience.

Through personal stories, they share lessons learned from overcoming failure, navigating high-stakes situations, and the critical impact of mentorship and community involvement. 

Whether it's tackling devastating wildfires, honoring fallen heroes, or working alongside family, their experiences shed light on the enduring spirit of dedication and service that drives them.

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

Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and 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, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely were joined by Johnny Gray III and David Baumann, two remarkable crew chiefs from L.A. County Fire Department's air operations. 

They take us on a compelling journey—from their athletic backgrounds to their vital roles in emergency services—highlighting the importance of teamwork, leadership, and mental resilience.

Through personal stories, they share lessons learned from overcoming failure, navigating high-stakes situations, and the critical impact of mentorship and community involvement. 

Whether it's tackling devastating wildfires, honoring fallen heroes, or working alongside family, their experiences shed light on the enduring spirit of dedication and service that drives them.

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

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 engaging two-part series focusing on leadership, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Jim McDonnell, a respected law enforcement officer and newly appointed chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

During this engaging conversation, we explore Jim’s journey from his roots in Boston to a distinguished career in law enforcement, emphasizing the vital role of leadership and the profound impact of small acts of kindness on both officers and the communities they serve.

As they discuss the often-overlooked topics of mental health and trauma within the profession, Jim underscores the need for a supportive culture and better resources for first responders.

He shares invaluable lessons learned during his internship with former LAPD Chief William (Bill) Bratton, as well as reflections on his career—from the Harbor Division to the 77th Street Homicide Division—and the challenges departments face in today’s policing landscape.

Join us as we examine the importance of community policing, the value of air support in law enforcement, and the pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance officer well-being. Jim also addresses the critical issues of recruitment and retention in policing, providing a realistic perspective on the future of the profession.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Quantum Helicopters 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!

In this engaging two-part series focusing on leadership, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Jim McDonnell, a respected law enforcement officer and newly appointed chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

During this engaging conversation, we explore Jim’s journey from his roots in Boston to a distinguished career in law enforcement, emphasizing the vital role of leadership and the profound impact of small acts of kindness on both officers and the communities they serve.

As they discuss the often-overlooked topics of mental health and trauma within the profession, Jim underscores the need for a supportive culture and better resources for first responders.

He shares invaluable lessons learned during his internship with former LAPD Chief William (Bill) Bratton, as well as reflections on his career—from the Harbor Division to the 77th Street Homicide Division—and the challenges departments face in today’s policing landscape.

Join us as we examine the importance of community policing, the value of air support in law enforcement, and the pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance officer well-being. Jim also addresses the critical issues of recruitment and retention in policing, providing a realistic perspective on the future of the profession.

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