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 Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

In this two-part series, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down in the recording booth of Vertical Magazine at VAI Verticon in Dallas, Texas, with one of our favorite people in law enforcement aviation.

Pilot Tony Weber has 42 years of experience on the job with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, 32 of which were spent working air support. Tony has been a guest and co-host on The Hangar Z Podcast, but this time, there is a fantastic bonus.

Tony’s wife Wendy joins us to discuss the journey of a spouse in law enforcement. You do not want to miss Wendy’s perspective on the good times, the bad times, the loss of friends, the SWAT call-outs, the wildfires, the celebrations, and even the retirement. Wendy’s insight provides a great path to a successful marriage in a law enforcement family.

Tony will discuss his amazing career from the academy as a 20-year-old, to his jail tour, patrol duty, SWAT, and his 32 years in aviation. He has seen firsthand a great deal of change over those years in a variety of airframes, technology, safety, CRM, and unit culture.

This was a wonderful conversation with two amazing people and there might even be a few surprises, including a first on The Hangar Z — a “Game Show.”

Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, SHOTOVER 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 Helicopter Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!

In this two-part series, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down in the recording booth of Vertical Magazine at VAI Verticon in Dallas, Texas, with one of our favorite people in law enforcement aviation.

Pilot Tony Weber has 42 years of experience on the job with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, 32 of which were spent working air support. Tony has been a guest and co-host on The Hangar Z Podcast, but this time, there is a fantastic bonus.

Tony’s wife Wendy joins us to discuss the journey of a spouse in law enforcement. You do not want to miss Wendy’s perspective on the good times, the bad times, the loss of friends, the SWAT call-outs, the wildfires, the celebrations, and even the retirement. Wendy’s insight provides a great path to a successful marriage in a law enforcement family.

Tony will discuss his amazing career from the academy as a 20-year-old, to his jail tour, patrol duty, SWAT, and his 32 years in aviation. He has seen firsthand a great deal of change over those years in a variety of airframes, technology, safety, CRM, and unit culture.

This was a wonderful conversation with two amazing people and there might even be a few surprises, including a first on The Hangar Z — a “Game Show.”

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation 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 episode was recorded at European Rotors in Amsterdam in November 2024. In this episode I was able to sit down with Jon Duke. Jon is a contributing writer for Vertical Magazine and has an extensive background in aviation, including his flying career in the United Kingdom's military. Jon was an air traffic controller in the Royal Air Force and a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy.

During the conversation, Jon shares his remarkable journey from a young aviation enthusiast to air traffic controller and, ultimately, a helicopter pilot. We'll explore the unique challenges faced during search-and-rescue missions, and the invaluable lessons learned throughout his career.

This discussion will emphasize the significance of managing confidence in aviation, transitioning from search-and-rescue operations to broader military roles, and the essentials of effective communication in air traffic control.

Jon also spent time as a flight instructor. In this conversation, he reflects on his experiences with students and highlights the importance of mentoring the next generation of aviators.

We also have an opportunity to touch on his contributions to aviation journalism through Vertical Magazine and the vital role it plays in promoting careers in this dynamic field.

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

Welcome to another episode of 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!

On today’s episode, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are thrilled to welcome Dave Ellis. Dave is a pivotal figure in the development of Spokane County Sheriff’s aviation program.

Dave takes us through the journey of building the program from the ground up, sharing insights into the political and financial challenges, the role of data tracking, and the power of community engagement. He opens up about his background and his diverse career. We discuss law enforcement and coaching, including his recent incredible success coaching a high school soccer team.

We dive into the vital role of communication and education in ensuring the aviation program’s growth and sustainability. The conversation also explores how youth sports teach life lessons, the unique perspective of referees, and the challenges of law enforcement in Spokane County.
You’ll hear about the evolution of Spokane County’s aviation unit, including decisions around aircraft selection, advancements in aviation technology, and how real-time situational awareness is enhancing public safety. Dave shares his insights on UAS technology, drone integration, and the growing role of AI in emergency response.

Throughout the episode, we touch on Dave’s journey toward agency accreditation, innovations in training, his roles with the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), and his involvement in shaping active shooter response curricula.
We truly appreciate our followers.

If you are enjoying Hangar Z, please help us spread the word—and don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share.

Thank you to our sponsors Night Flight Concepts, Robinson Helicopter and Trakka Systems USA.

Welcome to another episode of the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor magazine.

On today’s episode, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are thrilled to welcome Dave Ellis. Dave is a pivotal figure in the development of Spokane County Sheriff’s aviation program.

Dave takes us through the journey of building the program from the ground up, sharing insights into the political and financial challenges, the role of data tracking, and the power of community engagement. He opens up about his background and his diverse career. We discuss law enforcement and coaching, including his recent incredible success coaching a high school soccer team.

We dive into the vital role of communication and education in ensuring the aviation program’s growth and sustainability. The conversation also explores how youth sports teach life lessons, the unique perspective of referees, and the challenges of law enforcement in Spokane County.
You’ll hear about the evolution of Spokane County’s aviation unit, including decisions around aircraft selection, advancements in aviation technology, and how real-time situational awareness is enhancing public safety. Dave shares his insights on UAS technology, drone integration, and the growing role of AI in emergency response.

Throughout the episode, we touch on Dave’s journey toward agency accreditation, innovations in training, his roles with the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), and his involvement in shaping active shooter response curricula.

We truly appreciate our followers. If you are enjoying Hangar Z, please help us spread the word—and don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share.

Thank you to our sponsors Canyon AeroConnect, SHOTOVER and Summit Aviation.

Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.

This two-part series was recorded at APSCON 2024 In Houston, Texas. In this series, hosts Jon Gray, and Jack Schonely sit down with Sgt Cody Robinson and CFI Jeff Serpas from the Houston Police Department Air Support Unit.

In this episode, we engage with Houston PD’s finest, who share their insights, experiences, and challenges in the field. We’ll explore the critical role of mentorship and how training methods have evolved over time, alongside the significance of in-house training programs in preparing personnel for the demands of their roles.

Join us as we explore our guests' personal journeys through aviation and law enforcement, revealing the vital importance of safety, preparedness, and integrity within flight operations. They emphasize the significance of saying no in aviation, especially under pressure.

We’ll also discuss the operational dynamics of air support units, effective training, and the crucial selection process for tactical flight officers (TFOs).
Our guests discuss Houston PD’s unit's structure, aircraft fleet, and the significance of maintenance and reliability in operations.

The conversation also covers the challenges of navigating Houston's airspace, the impact of weather on operations, particularly during hurricane season, and the importance of community and teamwork in addressing these challenges.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for this year's APSCON, which will take place July 14-18 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Another conference to get ready for is the ECHO or Every Coast Helicopter Operations Public Safety Aviation Conference is Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, 2025.

This year at the ECHO conference, Jack Schonely and Clay Lacey will join forces to present their renowned and impactful course together on the same stage for the very first time.

This unique collaboration and course will be titled "Airborne Tactical Solutions." This is a course you won’t want to miss! For more details, visit the ECHO webpage at ECHOflightCrew.org.

Thank you to our sponsors Night Flight Concepts, Precision Aviation Group and Robinson Helicopter.

Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.

This two-part series was recorded at APSCON 2024 In Houston, Texas. In this series, hosts Jon Gray, and Jack Schonely sit down with Sgt Cody Robinson and CFI Jeff Serpas from the Houston Police Department Air Support Unit.

In this episode, we engage with Houston PD’s finest, who share their insights, experiences, and challenges in the field. We’ll explore the critical role of mentorship and how training methods have evolved over time, alongside the significance of in-house training programs in preparing personnel for the demands of their roles.

Join us as we explore our guests' personal journeys through aviation and law enforcement, revealing the vital importance of safety, preparedness, and integrity within flight operations. They emphasize the significance of saying no in aviation, especially under pressure.

We’ll also discuss the operational dynamics of air support units, effective training, and the crucial selection process for tactical flight officers (TFOs).
Our guests discuss Houston PD’s unit's structure, aircraft fleet, and the significance of maintenance and reliability in operations.

The conversation also covers the challenges of navigating Houston's airspace, the impact of weather on operations, particularly during hurricane season, and the importance of community and teamwork in addressing these challenges.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for this year's APSCON, which will take place July 14-18 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Another conference to get ready for is the ECHO or Every Coast Helicopter Operations Public Safety Aviation Conference is Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 28 through Oct. 1, 2025.

This year at the ECHO conference, Jack Schonely and Clay Lacey will join forces to present their renowned and impactful course together on the same stage for the very first time.

This unique collaboration and course will be titled "Airborne Tactical Solutions." This is a course you won’t want to miss! For more details, visit the ECHO webpage at ECHOflightCrew.org.

Thank you to our sponsors Canyon AeroConnect, CNC Technologies and Metro Aviation.

Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, and in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this two-part series, host Jon Gray welcomes members of the Maryland State Police at the 2024 ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference in Richmond, Virginia.

During the conversation, we discuss the importance of networking and education in public safety, and personal journeys into aviation and law enforcement.

The guests share insights into their roles as trooper paramedics, the challenges of maintaining proficiency in a large unit, and the unique considerations involved in transporting and caring for K-9s.

The discussion highlights the significance of collaboration among agencies during emergencies and the value of training and experience in the field.

This conversation explores the various aspects of public safety enforcement aviation, focusing on canine transportation missions, recruitment and retention challenges, paramedic training, multi-agency responses, and DUI enforcement experiences.

The speakers also share insights from their military backgrounds and discuss the complexities of operations involving the Coast Guard and other agencies.

Thank you to our sponsors BLR Aerospace, Metro Aviation and Robinson Helicopter.