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The Hangar Z Podcast

The Hangar Z Podcast

Jon Gray 364 Episodes Aug 20, 2026

A podcast that explores the personnel and equipment behind the missions in Public Safety Aviation.

Episodes

Nicholas Ianiero - APSCON 2026 - Maintainer of the Year | Ep 379
Nicholas Ianiero - APSCON 2026 - Maintainer of the Year | Ep 379 Aug 20, 2026 4396 Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS and in partnership with Valor Plus.For this episode of Hangar Z, recorded live at APSCON 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Nicolas Ianiero, aircraft maintenance engineer with Canadian Helicopters supporting the York Regional Police Air Support Unit and the recipient of the 2026 APSA Technician of the
Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 3 of 3 | Ep 378
Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 3 of 3 | Ep 378 Aug 17, 2026 4446 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,
Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 2 of 3 | Ep 377
Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 2 of 3 | Ep 377 Aug 13, 2026 4454 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,
Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 1 of 3 | Ep 376
Todd Jager Shares the Hard-Earned Lessons That Changed Aviation Tactics Part 1 of 3 | Ep 376 Aug 10, 2026 4463 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
Over the black ocean: Teamwork, determination, and the rescue of 3 survivors Part 2 | Ep 375
Over the black ocean: Teamwork, determination, and the rescue of 3 survivors Part 2 | Ep 375 Aug 6, 2026 3987 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.On today's episode, we're honored to welcome Deputy Jonathan Lazada and Deputy Chase Gomez of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. Jonathan and Chase are the recipients of the Airborne Public Safety Association's Aircrew of the Year Award, as well as the FLIR Vision Awar
Over the black ocean: Teamwork, determination, and the rescue of 3 survivors Part I | Ep 374
Over the black ocean: Teamwork, determination, and the rescue of 3 survivors Part I | Ep 374 Aug 3, 2026 4157 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Valor Plus.On today's episode, we're honored to welcome Deputy Jonathan Lazada and Deputy Chase Gomez of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit. Jonathan and Chase are the recipients of the Airborne Public Safety Association's Aircrew of the Year Award, as well as the FLIR Vision Awar
How Has Modesto’s New Air Unit Made a Positive Impact on Public Safety? Part 2 | Ep 373
How Has Modesto’s New Air Unit Made a Positive Impact on Public Safety? Part 2 | Ep 373 Jul 27, 2026 4230 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this episode we are heading to Modesto, California, to hear how a brand-new air support unit was built from the ground up, and how it’s already changing the way the department fights crime, protects officers, and serves the community.Lt Mike Hicks and Lt Kalani Souza were both involved fr
How Has Modesto’s New Air Unit Made a Positive Impact on Public Safety? Part 1 | Ep 372
How Has Modesto’s New Air Unit Made a Positive Impact on Public Safety? Part 1 | Ep 372 Jul 23, 2026 4386 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this episode we are heading to Modesto, California, to hear how a brand-new air support unit was built from the ground up, and how it’s already changing the way the department fights crime, protects officers, and serves the community.Lt Mike Hicks and Lt Kalani Souza were both involved fr
What makes a tactical training legacy last for over 25 years? Part 2 | Ep 371
What makes a tactical training legacy last for over 25 years? Part 2 | Ep 371 Jul 20, 2026 3392 Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Clay Lacey of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harald Brink of the Dutch National Police to explore the 25-plus-year legacy of Jack Schonely’s tactical training.  From individual officer safety to agency-wide
What makes a tactical training legacy last for over 25 years? Part 1 | Ep 370
What makes a tactical training legacy last for over 25 years? Part 1 | Ep 370 Jul 16, 2026 3156 Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. In this special two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Clay Lacey of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Harald Brink of the Dutch National Police to explore the 25-plus-year legacy of Jack Schonely’s tactical training.  From individual officer safety to agency-wide
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Air Unit: Longline rescue and air support part 2 | EP 369
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Air Unit: Longline rescue and air support part 2 | EP 369 Jul 13, 2026 3951 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.On today's episode, we're taking you to California's Central Valley as we visit the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit. Joining us are Deputy AJ Nikkel and Deputy Tyler Liburdi, who both serve as pilots and tactical flight officers. We'll explore the
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Air Unit: Longline rescue and air support part 1 | EP 368
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Air Unit: Longline rescue and air support part 1 | EP 368 Jul 9, 2026 4098 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.On today's episode, we're taking you to California's Central Valley as we visit the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit. Joining us are Deputy AJ Nikkel and Deputy Tyler Liburdi, who both serve as pilots and tactical flight officers. We'll explore the

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