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.

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 talk with retired Ontario Police Sergeant Eric Weidner to explore the vital role of canine units in law enforcement.

Eric retired from the Ontario Police Department, where he served as the aviation unit supervisor. He is currently the chief operations officer at CNC Technologies. Before his time in air support, Sgt Weidner was a dedicated K9 handler for Ontario PD.

The conversation highlights Eric’s journey as a K9 handler, sharing the challenges he faced and the memorable moments from his career. We also explore how canine operations are evolving, particularly in relation to air support.

Additionally, we emphasize the critical importance of training, trust, and collaboration between K9 units and air support units. The discussion also tackles and dispels common myths surrounding these operations, while offering practical guidance for effectively collaborating with K9 units to enhance overall mission success.

Notably, Sgt Weidner was our very first guest on The Hangar Z Podcast. Be sure to check out Episode 1 to hear more about his career and experiences.

If you enjoy this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, please leave us a review on the platform you use to listen to The Hangar Z Podcast—your support helps grow our community and showcases inspiring folks like Eric Weidner. Your feedback truly makes a difference!

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 two-part series, hosts Jon Gray, and Jack Schonely recorded in person at Verticon 2025 in Dallas, Texas. The conversation explores the incredible operations of Two Bear Air Rescue as they interview Rob Cherot, a Two Bear Air Rescue pilot. In addition to Rob's work with Two Bear Air Rescue, he also flies for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks agency.

Two Bear Air Rescue, based near Whitefish, Montana, is dedicated to saving lives by providing top-tier aviation search-and-rescue capabilities across the Northwestern U.S. The program is fully funded by philanthropist Michael Goguen, ensuring it operates at no cost to taxpayers.

Rob is a seasoned helicopter pilot whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Rob’s story begins with a passion for flight sparked at UND. Rob worked as a firefighter paramedic in Montana before becoming a skilled professional pilot in the rugged mountain terrain of Montana and its surrounding states.

Over the years, he’s flown everything from animal surveys and fish stocking to rescue operations, all while balancing multiple roles and building invaluable skills along the way.

Whether it's navigating extreme weather or managing traumatic incidents, these stories showcase the resilience and dedication of these skilled pilots. Join us as we explore the profound impact of aviation in preserving communities, protecting wildlife, and serving the public—all set against the stunning backdrop of Montana’s rugged terrain.

If you enjoy this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, please leave us a review on the platform you use to listen to The Hangar Z Podcast—your support helps grow our community and showcases inspiring people like Rob. Your feedback truly makes a difference!

Thank you to our sponsors Becker Avionics, Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch and Robinson Helicopter.

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 Jack Schonely recorded in person at Verticon 2025 in Dallas, Texas. The conversation explores the incredible operations of Two Bear Air Rescue as they interview Rob Cherot, a Two Bear Air Rescue pilot. In addition to Rob's work with Two Bear Air Rescue, he also flies for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks agency.

Two Bear Air Rescue, based near Whitefish, Montana, is dedicated to saving lives by providing top-tier aviation search-and-rescue capabilities across the Northwestern U.S. The program is fully funded by philanthropist Michael Goguen, ensuring it operates at no cost to taxpayers.

Rob is a seasoned helicopter pilot whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. Rob’s story begins with a passion for flight sparked at UND. Rob worked as a firefighter paramedic in Montana before becoming a skilled professional pilot in the rugged mountain terrain of Montana and its surrounding states.

Over the years, he’s flown everything from animal surveys and fish stocking to rescue operations, all while balancing multiple roles and building invaluable skills along the way.

Whether it's navigating extreme weather or managing traumatic incidents, these stories showcase the resilience and dedication of these skilled pilots. Join us as we explore the profound impact of aviation in preserving communities, protecting wildlife, and serving the public—all set against the stunning backdrop of Montana’s rugged terrain.

If you enjoy this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, please leave us a review on the platform you use to listen to The Hangar Z Podcast—your support helps grow our community and showcases inspiring people like Rob. Your feedback truly makes a difference!

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, BLR Aerospace and CNC Technologies.