The Hangar Z Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 36- Brotallion Brothers Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Hanging with the crew from the Brotallion and hosts of the Pilot's Lounge Podcast!
Join us as we sit down and chat with Spencer Payne and Brett Kroll, two Army Aviators who are founding members of the Brotallion.
Brotallion is a veteran-owned company that provides military aviation-inspired apparel, gear, study material, and mentorship for aviators by aviators. At the heart and soul of Brotallion lies the Army Aviation community, and in 2020 the founders of Brotallion successfully achieved 501c3 status for their charitable organization the Brotallion Blue Skies Foundation. The foundation provides post-mishap support to Army Aviation Gold Star families.
These guys are amazingly motivated entrepreneurs, who are not only running a successful business, but they also produce the Pilot's Lounge Podcast, which is the podcast that inspired the Hangar Z Podcast, after their interview with our friend and fellow law enforcement aviator, Scott Hebble.
We know you're going to enjoy our chat with these amazing guys! Please visit the links above and give them a like and follow. Also, add the Pilot's Lounge Podcast to your podcast listening library!
As always, we want to thank our sponsor, Metro Aviation

Episode 35- Brad Isaacs Life After Law Enforcement Mar 13, 2022

Show notes

Join us in the Hangar for episode 35 as we sit down and chat with former law enforcement pilot, turned utility helicopter pilot, Brad Isaacs.
Listen in as Brad walks us through his aviation journey, which started in his teens, with the support of his parents. He then charted a path into the cockpit of a law enforcement helicopter, where he flew for the Gwinnett County (GA) Police Department.
After a handful of years of chasing bad guys and the occasional wayward cow outside Atlanta, Brad was offered the opportunity to make the transition to utility helicopter flying. Brad describes how social media networking led him to this opportunity with HLH Aviation. He also describes the career lifestyle and training it takes to work in this dynamic sector of aviation.
Whether you’re looking to start a career in airborne law enforcement or are a current law enforcement aviator looking to retire, or transition into a new flying career, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Check out the cool stuff Brad is doing over at his Instagram and YouTube channels.
https://www.instagram.com/bjisaacs/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFD4Wvlr_HJQrQ-xQr0qEtA
Episode 35 of the Hangar Z Podcast is available on all the popular podcast apps or can be found on our website at www.hangarzpodcast.com.
As always, we’d like to thank our sponsor, Metro Aviation as well as our supporters on Patreon.

Episode 34- Apache Attack Pilot and CBP Pilot Daniel Flores Feb 20, 2022

Show notes

Before we introduce our next guest and episode we would like we would like to formally announce our newest Podcast sponsor Metro Aviation.
We are extremely proud and humbled to partner with such a high caliber company that contributes so much to the aviation industry.
This episode is dedicated to Officer Nick Villa from Huntington Beach PD Air Support
Our guest for this episode is Daniel Flores who is a longtime Texas resident.
He enlisted into the U.S. Army in February 1985, attending Basic and Infantry training at the U.S. Army’s, Home Of The Infantry at Ft. Benning Georgia. He served with the 4th Infantry Division based at Fort Carson Colorado.
After his active duty enlistment he then returned to the Houston area and was accepted into the Texas Army National Guard’s Special Forces unit, Company G. 143rd Infantry LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol).
While serving with that unit he did several missions along the Texas/Mexico border against the drug trafficking organizations and had also trained alongside the British SAS.
In January 1990 Mr. Flores was accepted to the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Candidate and Helicopter flight school to become a pilot with the attack helicopter squadron, 7th Squadron 6th Cavalry Regiment, based in Conroe Texas.
During his time as an attack helicopter pilot he survived a crash in the Apache helicopter in 1995.
He did several missions along the Texas/Mexico border against the drug trafficking organizations, and was deployed to fight the war on Terrorism in 2006 in Afghanistan.
During his one year tour he was tasked as the attack asset for the 10th Mountain division. He was witness to the resurgence of the Taliban and was involved in numerous gun battles and had his aircraft hit several times during those battles.
One of those battles was featured on “The Military Channels” series “My War Diary” which told about an American convoy that he helped rescue from a Taliban ambush.
He wrote a book that tells about his experiences, and was instrumental in the success of the movie "Apache Warrior" as a Co-Executive producer.
The title of that book is “South of Heaven, My Year in Afghanistan.”
From his book the multiple award winning film Above the Best was made. The film features actual footage taken from his helicopter in combat.
He is the recipient of the "Air medal” and “Bronze star.”
He retired from the Army, as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, after over 26 years of service.
In 2020 he retired as a jet and helicopter pilot with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as an Air Interdiction Agent. He flew numerous counter drug and terrorism missions throughout the U.S., Mexico the Caribbean and Colombia.
He currently flies for Air Methods as an EMS pilot in the Houston area.
During this episode, Daniel provides insight into the boarder issues we have in the US along the southern boarder.
He talks about a crash he was in with the Apache and what it was like getting back into the saddle after the crash.
He goes into detail on some of the battles he was a part of while in Afghanistan which you won’t want to miss.
He also gives insight into his newest career as an EMS pilot.
This episode definitely has something for everyone.
Thanks for tuning in and please don’t forget to give us a like and a 5 star review on the Apple podcast app, It helps us out big time!
I would like to take a minute to honor the life , contributions and sacrifices of Officer Nick Villa from Huntington Beach PD Air Support who tragically passed away after the aircraft he was in crashed in the water off of Newport Beach California, on February 19th, 2022.
The pilot did an amazing job of putting the aircraft down without striking any people, boats or homes in a highly congested area.
Metroaviation.com

Episode 33- The Pilot Incapacitation Procedure with Carilion Clinic Life Guard and Echo Heliops Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

We would like to thank ECHO Heliops for sponsoring this episode of the Hangar Z Podcast.

In this episode we chat with Sid Bingley and Ty Le Roy who are part of a HEMS crew who work for Carillon Life-Guard Crew in Virginia.
Sid is a flight nurse and Ty is a pilot currently flying the H135. Ty previously flew Apache attack helicopters for the Army.
In this episode we talk about the pilot incapacitation procedure and training for EP’s with non flying partners.
We also talk about ECHO Heliops and their upcoming conference which is in Austin Texas august 15th-17th.
To learn more about Echo Heliops visit their website at www.echoheliops.org

Episode 32- California Highway Patrol's Kevin Vinatieri Jan 16, 2022

Show notes

In this episode we talk with CHP pilot Kevin Vinatieri. Kevin's aviation career began with the California Army National Guard when he joined the early enlistment program while still in high school. Kevin served as an OH-58 crew chief and became a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot serving with the 126th Medevac Company at Mather Field in Sacramento California. Kevin separated from the military in 1999. Kevin's desire to further serve his country led him to reenlist in the California Army National Guard October 2012 and was deployed to Afghanistan from March 2013 to March 2014.
As if his military service was not enough Kevin has served the citizens of California as a CHP Officer and pilot since 1995. During his career with the CHP Kevin has medevac'd over 300 patients from auto accidents to injured hikers in the forests of the Sierra mountains. He also assisted in the apprehension of countless criminals while providing support for the men and women on the ground.
Kevin and Jeff Ratkovich served together in the National Guard as part of the 126th Medivac Company. During this episode they discuss a rescue they worked together where they attempted to disrupt an entire wedding party.
In this episode we also talk about an aviation legend JC Dodd. JC was a CHP pilot and worked with both Kevin and Jeff as part of the 126th Medivac Company. JC Dodd lost his life doing what he loved.... Flying helicopters on January 17th, 2018.
JC Dodd was a husband, friend and mentor to many and is greatly missed. This episode is dedicated to the life and accomplishments of JC Dodd.

Episode 31- Joel Lane USFS Air Attack Jan 09, 2022

Show notes

Happy belated New Year, and Merry Christmas to everyone. We are excited to be back from our Christmas break.
In this episode we talk with Joel Lane. Joel retired from the US Forest Service after 40 years of service. The first half of his career was spent on the ground working as a Hot Shot and Engine Captain. The second half of his career he spent in Air Attack as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor.
Joel is the founder of Anchor Flank and Pinch, which is a training company that provides classroom and scenario based live flight training for fixed-wing tanker pilots, aerial supervision pilots, and aerial supervisors.
Joel is currently managing two fire aerial intelligence programs though out California. One for the Orange County Fire Authority and one for the California Office of Emergency Services. He is the lead Air Attack supervisor for the Quick Reaction Force program funded in part by Southern California Edison. This program provides 24/7 aerial fire suppression using Coulson aviation helicopters.

Episode 30- Firefighting Operations with Cody Zetlmaier Dec 12, 2021

Show notes

Join us as we talk with Cody Zetlmaier, who is currently assigned to the US Bureau of Land Management's Apple Valley Helitack. He was previously assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Heaps Peak Helitack out of the San Bernardino National Forest. Cody has spent a lot of time as a Hot Shot assigned to the Big Bear Hot Shots also out of the San Bernardino National Forest. Cody was awarded Hot Shot of the year in 2008.
This episode is a story of perseverance and dedication. During this episode Cody takes us through the highs and lows of his career including a detailed account of how the Big Bear Hot Shots saved a ranch during the Atlas Fire in historic Napa County in October 2017. He talks about a mural that was painted along the Napa Wine trains route as a tribute to the heroic efforts of Cody and the Big Bear Hot Shots while fighting the Atlas Fire that burned over 51,000 acres.
Cody talks about the heartbreak of leaving the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter and the path he took to overcome the obstacles he faced to pursue a career he loves as a wildland firefighter.
This episode is dedicated to Charlie Morton a U.S. Forest Service Big Bear Hotshot. Charlie tragically passed away while fighting the El Dorado fire on September 17th, 2020. Charlie is one of Cody's best friends as well as a leader and mentor to countless man and women that served along side him during his incredible career.

Episode 29- America's Finest City with Trevor Riley AKA Rotor_Monkey_Photo Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Air Support in America's Finest City

Since 1986, the crews of 'ABLE' have been providing top-notch air support to the officers and citizens of America's Finest City and on our next episode of the Hangar Z Podcast, we'll be speaking with one of their pilots, Trevor Riley.

There is speculation that the need for air support was identified after the notorious 'News Team Mele of 1975.' Trevor happens to be the unit historian, so he'll provide us more details on the history of the unit.

In addition to being a huge animal lover, with a voice that could make a wolverine purr and seagulls flock to him (we'll cover the seagulls part in the interview), Trevor is also a very talented aerial photographer, known as Rotor Monkey Photo.

Our next episode goes live for our Patreon supporters tomorrow! https://www.patreon.com/HangarZ. We're going to release the episode early to everyone else on Tuesday, for all of those who might be traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday!

We're thankful everyday for the all the support from our listeners and we hope you enjoy the episode. We wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving...Stay classy!

Episode 28- Fixed Wing Operations with Anson Statema of the Washington State Patrol Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Join the Hangar Z crew, as we sit down and chat with Command Pilot Anson Statema of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Aviation Section. We've been wanting to do an episode on fixed wing operations for a long time and we're glad to have Anson join us, for a look at his career and some insight into how the WSP Aviation Section uses their fleet of Cessna 206's and Beech King Air to serve the people of Washington State.

Our Patreon subscribers also have exclusive access to the Debrief Episode, where Anson walks us through a critical incident involving an officer involved shooting that the WSP Aviation Section played a pivotal role in resolving.

Episode 27- The Heroes Air Show with Jim Paules and Steve Goldsworthy (AKA The Commish) Oct 17, 2021

Show notes

Join us in episode 27 where we discuss the Heroes Airshow which is an airshow dedicated to the promotion of helicopters and Public Safety Aviation. During the conversation we also discuss Steve's (AKA "The Commish") involvement with the LA County Sheriffs Department Montrose Search and Rescue team as well as the issue of noise abatement in congested urban areas.
The Los Angeles edition of the show will be held on November 13th, at the Hansen Dam. You can find additional information on the Heroes Air Show at WWW.Heroes-Airshow.com.
While you are at the Heroes Air show hashtag your photos #CAHEROS and we will repost the best four photos on our social media accounts.

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