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The Hangar Z Podcast

The Hangar Z Podcast

Jon Gray 364 Episodes Sep 17, 2026

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

Episodes

Leadership & Trust: The power of consistency with Delaware State Police part 1 | Ep 386
Leadership & Trust: The power of consistency with Delaware State Police part 1 | Ep 386 Sep 17, 2026 4098 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 Vertical Plus editor-at-large Brent Bundy and Delaware State Police aviation commander Jeff Whitmarsh for a conversation about leadership, trust, and developing a high-performing multi-mission aviation unit.We break do
Wade Bourassa’s blueprint for smarter police aviation part 2 | 385
Wade Bourassa’s blueprint for smarter police aviation part 2 | 385 Sep 14, 2026 2767 Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.Today’s episode was recorded at the Vertical Valor Plus booth, on the floor of APSCON in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We are honored to welcome Wade Bourassa, pilot and supervisor of the Saskatoon Police Aviation Unit. Wade is the 2026 recipient of the Airborne Public Safety Association's Robert
Wade Bourassa’s blueprint for smarter police aviation part 1 | 384
Wade Bourassa’s blueprint for smarter police aviation part 1 | 384 Sep 10, 2026 2908 Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.Today’s episode was recorded at the Vertical Valor Plus booth, on the floor of APSCON in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We are honored to welcome Wade Bourassa, pilot and supervisor of the Saskatoon Police Aviation Unit. Wade is the 2026 recipient of the Airborne Public Safety Association's Robert
Data, Fatigue & Innovation: Joel Smith on Building Hero Aviation part 2 | 383
Data, Fatigue & Innovation: Joel Smith on Building Hero Aviation part 2 | 383 Sep 9, 2026 4020 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 L.A. City Fire Department (LAFD) pilot and safety officer Joel Smith for an inside look at the high-stakes world of LAFD Air Operations.Joel breaks down the tactical precision and intense training required to battle ma
Flying the Frontlines: Inside L.A. City Fire with Pilot Joel Smith part 1 | 382
Flying the Frontlines: Inside L.A. City Fire with Pilot Joel Smith part 1 | 382 Sep 9, 2026 3744 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 L.A. City Fire Department (LAFD) pilot and safety officer Joel Smith for an inside look at the high-stakes world of LAFD Air Operations.Joel breaks down the tactical precision and intense training required to battle ma
Tactical Labs, Zero Ego, Real Training: Why ECHO 2026 Is a Must-Attend | Bonus
Tactical Labs, Zero Ego, Real Training: Why ECHO 2026 Is a Must-Attend | Bonus Aug 28, 2026 2923 Welcome to this special joint episode of the Hangar Z Podcast and the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, brought to you by HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus.In this special episode, Jon Gray of Hangar Z and Blake Shrider and Mike Fadale of the Valor Flight Crew, preview the 2026 ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference.High-quality public safety aviation training doesn’t need a massive price tag. Th
How Blades of Valor Turned a Vision Into a Powerful Public Safety Story Part 2 | Ep 381
How Blades of Valor Turned a Vision Into a Powerful Public Safety Story Part 2 | Ep 381 Aug 27, 2026 4079 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. We're glad you're with us, because today we're pulling back the curtain on one of our favorite projects of the year—the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour through Florida.For this special episode, we've brought together the entire team that made the tour possible. Joining us are e
How Blades of Valor Turned a Vision Into a Powerful Public Safety Story Part I | Ep 380
How Blades of Valor Turned a Vision Into a Powerful Public Safety Story Part I | Ep 380 Aug 24, 2026 4011 Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Valor Plus. We're glad you're with us, because today we're pulling back the curtain on one of our favorite projects of the year—the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour through Florida.For this special episode, we've brought together the entire team that made the tour possible. Joining us are e
Nicholas Ianiero - APSCON 2026 - Maintainer of the Year | Ep 379
Nicholas Ianiero - APSCON 2026 - Maintainer of the Year | Ep 379 Aug 20, 2026 4376 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 4426 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

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