The Hangar Z Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 264 Inside Phoenix PD Air Support: Culture Over Technology Part 2 Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

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.

Episode 263 Inside Phoenix PD Air Support: Culture Over Technology Part 1 Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

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.

Episode 262 - APSCON Preview & APSA Candidate Profiles Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

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.

Episode 261 - K9 to Air Support Operations: Insights from Ret. Ontario PD Sergeant Eric Weidner May 26, 2025

Show notes

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.

Episode 260 - Rescue and Conservation in Montana: The Mission of Two Bear Air with Rob Cherot Part 2 May 22, 2025

Show notes

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.

Episode 259 - Rescue and Conservation in Montana: The Mission of Two Bear Air with Rob Cherot Part 1 May 19, 2025

Show notes

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

Episode 258 - The Wounded Blue with Randy Sutton Part 2 May 15, 2025

Show notes

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 today’s episode, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are honored to welcome one of the most influential voices in American law enforcement retired Lieutenant Randy Sutton of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

With a law enforcement career spanning more than 34 years, Randy’s impact has extended far beyond the streets of Princeton, New Jersey, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

He became a familiar face to many through his appearances on the TV show COPS, which opened the door to acting roles in both television and film, including a part in the iconic movie Casino.

Randy is also a prolific author, having written A Cop’s Life, True Blue, The Power of Legacy, and his most recent book, Rescuing 911: The Fight for America’s Safety. A respected and in-demand public speaker, he represented the law enforcement community at the Republican National Convention last year.

Perhaps Randy’s most enduring contribution is as the founder and chairman of the board of The Wounded Blue, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting injured and disabled law enforcement officers through support, education, assistance, and legislative advocacy.

This is a powerful and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Becker Avionics, Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER Systems.

Episode 257 - The Wounded Blue with Randy Sutton Part 1 May 12, 2025

Show notes

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

With a law enforcement career spanning more than 34 years, Randy’s impact has extended far beyond the streets of Princeton, New Jersey, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

He became a familiar face to many through his appearances on the TV show COPS, which opened the door to acting roles in both television and film, including a part in the iconic movie Casino.

This is a powerful and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, BLR Aerospace, and Robinson Helicopter.

Episode 256 - From Patrol to Patient Care: with Sean Marston Part II May 08, 2025

Show notes

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 talk with Sean Marston, who takes us through his incredible journey from military service to law enforcement, and ultimately into the helicopter air ambulance segment.
Sean reflects on his early aspirations and the impactful experiences that shaped his career—as a deputy sheriff, and beyond.
We’ll discuss a new unit establishment he was a part of within the Harford County Sheriff's Office in Maryland. Sean offers a firsthand account of the challenges, including political opposition and the eventual shutdown of the unit, alongside valuable lessons about proving the worth of such programs.
Sean talks about becoming the chief pilot at the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and the challenges and experiences as the chief pilot, and his insight on leadership development.
We also have an opportunity to discuss the transition from law enforcement aviation to the helicopter air ambulance industry, as Sean was able to successfully make the transition after retiring from law enforcement in 2021 after over 27 years of service.
Before we jump into the conversation, we’d like to ask for your support! If you enjoy The Hangar Z Podcast, please take a moment to leave us a rating and review. Your feedback not only helps us improve the show, but also helps others discover our podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER Systems.

Episode 255 - From Patrol to Patient Care: with Sean Marston Part I May 05, 2025

Show notes

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 talk with Sean Marston, who takes us through his incredible journey from military service to law enforcement, and ultimately into the helicopter air ambulance segment.
Sean reflects on his early aspirations and the impactful experiences that shaped his career—as a deputy sheriff, and beyond.
We’ll discuss a new unit establishment he was a part of within the Harford County Sheriff's Office in Maryland. Sean offers a firsthand account of the challenges, including political opposition and the eventual shutdown of the unit, alongside valuable lessons about proving the worth of such programs.
Sean talks about becoming the chief pilot at the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and the challenges and experiences as the chief pilot, and his insight on leadership development.
We also have an opportunity to discuss the transition from law enforcement aviation to the helicopter air ambulance industry, as Sean was able to successfully make the transition after retiring from law enforcement in 2021 after over 27 years of service.
Before we jump into the conversation, we’d like to ask for your support! If you enjoy The Hangar Z Podcast, please take a moment to leave us a rating and review. Your feedback not only helps us improve the show, but also helps others discover our podcast. We greatly appreciate your support!

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch and Precision Aviation Group.

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