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.

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 on location inside the hanger of the Burbank Glendale Joint Air Support Unit. 

Pilot Pat Hamblin from the Glendale Police Department and Pilot Steve Conaway from the Burbank Police Department provide insight into inner workings of this unique unit. 

Both of our guests have very interesting journeys into law enforcement and aviation. We discuss, training, the benefits of a combined unit, airspace, cooperation with other surrounding air units, and the delivery of a brand-new Airbus H125 later this year.

The background soundtrack is brought to you by Southwest Airlines departing Runway 15 at the Bob Hope Burbank Airport. We really enjoy these hangar podcasts.

Special thanks to Massif Flight Suits for the support.

Thanks you to our sponsors Metro Aviation,  Robinson Helicopter 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!

In this two-part series, Jack Schonely and Jon Gray are on location inside the hanger of the Burbank Glendale Joint Air Support Unit. 

Pilot Pat Hamblin from the Glendale Police Department and Pilot Steve Conaway from the Burbank Police Department provide insight into inner workings of this unique unit. 

Both of our guests have very interesting journeys into law enforcement and aviation. We discuss, training, the benefits of a combined unit, airspace, cooperation with other surrounding air units, and the delivery of a brand-new Airbus H125 later this year.

The background soundtrack is brought to you by Southwest Airlines departing Runway 15 at the Bob Hope Burbank Airport. We really enjoy these hangar podcasts.

Special thanks to Massif Flight Suits for the support.

Thanks you to our sponsors Night Flight Concepts, Canyon AeroConnect and Trakka Systems.

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!

This inaugural three-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast was recorded on location at the Phoenix Police Department’s Aviation Unit at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, as part of the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour. This year, our journey will take us to four agencies across four states, showcasing their exceptional work through print, video, and right here on the podcast.

Events like this tour wouldn’t be possible without incredible support. A special thank you to Airbus and Massif Flight Suits — your support made the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour a reality.

The Phoenix Police Department’s Air Support Unit has a unique structure  comprising of two distinctive details: Fixed wing and rotorcraft. We were fortunate to sit down with a representative from each detail to get a comprehensive look at the entire operation.

Today’s guests are Glenn Ellefritz, Chief Pilot for fixed wing operations and Scott Hopkins, Instructor Pilot for rotorcraft.

As you might guess from this being a three-part series, you can expect a deep dive into a wide range of topics including Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) selection and training, pilot development, the recent addition of a second Pilatus PC-12, and the challenges of recruitment and retention. You’ll also hear about the fascinating career paths of both guests.

Stay tuned as we explore the Phoenix Air Support Unit’s guiding philosophy of “Culture over Technology.”

For more about our visit to Phoenix PD Air Support, be sure to check out the Brent Bundy articles in the Vertical Valor ASPCON edition and then watch the incredible videos by Lloyd Horgan on the Vertical Magazine YouTube channel.

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

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!

This inaugural three-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast was recorded on location at the Phoenix Police Department’s Aviation Unit at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, as part of the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour. This year, our journey will take us to four agencies across four states, showcasing their exceptional work through print, video, and right here on the podcast.

Events like this tour wouldn’t be possible without incredible support. A special thank you to Airbus and Massif Flight Suits — your support made the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour a reality.

The Phoenix Police Department’s Air Support Unit has a unique structure  comprising of two distinctive details: Fixed wing and rotorcraft. We were fortunate to sit down with a representative from each detail to get a comprehensive look at the entire operation.

Today’s guests are Glenn Ellefritz, Chief Pilot for fixed wing operations and Scott Hopkins, Instructor Pilot for rotorcraft.

As you might guess from this being a three-part series, you can expect a deep dive into a wide range of topics including Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) selection and training, pilot development, the recent addition of a second Pilatus PC-12, and the challenges of recruitment and retention. You’ll also hear about the fascinating career paths of both guests.

Stay tuned as we explore the Phoenix Air Support Unit’s guiding philosophy of “Culture over Technology.”

For more about our visit to Phoenix PD Air Support, be sure to check out the Brent Bundy articles in the Vertical Valor ASPCON edition and then watch the incredible videos by Lloyd Horgan on the Vertical Magazine YouTube channel.

Thank you to our sponsors Dallas Avionics, Night Flight Concepts and Trakka Systems.

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!

This inaugural three-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast was recorded on location at the Phoenix Police Department’s Aviation Unit at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, as part of the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour. This year, our journey will take us to four agencies across four states, showcasing their exceptional work through print, video, and right here on the podcast.

Events like this tour wouldn’t be possible without incredible support. A special thank you to Airbus and Massif Flight Suits — your support made the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour a reality.

The Phoenix Police Department’s Air Support Unit has a unique structure  comprising of two distinctive details: Fixed wing and rotorcraft. We were fortunate to sit down with a representative from each detail to get a comprehensive look at the entire operation.

Today’s guests are Glenn Ellefritz, Chief Pilot for fixed wing operations and Scott Hopkins, Instructor Pilot for rotorcraft.

As you might guess from this being a three-part series, you can expect a deep dive into a wide range of topics including Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) selection and training, pilot development, the recent addition of a second Pilatus PC-12, and the challenges of recruitment and retention. You’ll also hear about the fascinating career paths of both guests.

Stay tuned as we explore the Phoenix Air Support Unit’s guiding philosophy of “Culture over Technology.”

For more about our visit to Phoenix PD Air Support, be sure to check out the Brent Bundy articles in the Vertical Valor ASPCON edition and then watch the incredible videos by Lloyd Horgan on the Vertical Magazine YouTube channel.

Thank you to our sponsors CNC Technologies, Metro Aviation 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 episode, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Dan Schwarzbach, executive director and CEO of the Airborne Public Safety Association, for an exclusive preview of APSCON 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

We’ll cover training opportunities for both manned and unmanned aircraft and give you a sneak peek at what to expect on the convention floor. Plus, we’ll talk about the host city of Phoenix and the many experiences it has to offer visiting attendees.

After our conversation with Dan, we shift gears and welcome two candidates vying for the central regional director position at APSA—the only contested race this year. Jon and Jack give each candidate a platform to introduce themselves to the voting members of the central region.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review of the Hangar Z Podcast—we truly appreciate your support.
APSCON Phoenix is just around the corner! Be sure to stop by the Vertical Magazine booth on the convention floor. We hope to see you there.

For more information, visit publicsafetyaviation.org.

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