The Hangar Z Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Digital Front Line: Social Media Strategy for Public Safety with Tamrin Olden Part 1 | Ep 363 Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus.
In this comprehensive two-part conversation, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely are joined by Tamrin Olden, founder of TOC Public Relations, to discuss why social media has become a mission-critical tool for modern public safety.
Moving beyond the "ancillary duty" mindset, Tamrin explains how a strategic digital presence is the foundation for community trust, transparency, and successful recruitment.
Throughout this episode, we dive deep into the friction between traditional law enforcement leadership and the fast-paced digital world, exploring how to overcome the "paralysis by analysis" that often keeps agencies silent.
Tamrin breaks down the difference between "vanity metrics" (like viral dance videos) and "value-driven content" that authentically showcases the expertise and humanity of a department.
Key topics discussed in this episode include:
The Strategy of Storytelling: Why agencies like Phoenix PD and Irvine PD succeed by focusing on "Human-Centered Storytelling" rather than just posed award photos.
Aviation and Specialized Units: Tactical advice for air units on using social media to justify budgets, educate the public on capabilities, and provide a "peek behind the curtain" through Tech Tuesdays.
Overcoming Leadership Hurdles: How to "supervise up" and package social media proposals that address administrative fears regarding negative comments and legal liability.
Crisis Communications: Why the phrase, “no comment,” is a strategy for failure. We discuss lessons learned from major incidents like Ferguson and Uvalde, and the importance of releasing facts on your own terms to control the narrative.
The Digital Recruitment War: Why your agency’s "digital fingerprint" is the first thing a potential recruit looks at, and how to use social media for attracting new talent and retaining current staff.
Whether you are a social media manager, a unit leader, or a command staff member, this episode provides a tactical "starter pack" for building a professional, effective, and transparent communication strategy.

Check out TOC Public Relations at www.tocpublicrelations.com/

Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Quantum Helicopters and SHOTOVER.

How Glenn Daley's Experience Shapes Aviation Safety Part 3 | Ep 362 Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus.
Our guest is retired Lieutenant Glenn Daley of the New York City Police Department Aviation Unit. Glenn’s career in airborne law enforcement spans decades of service, leadership, instruction, and experience, that has taken him around the world. This conversation is powerful, emotional, educational, and, without question, one of the most important discussions we have had on this podcast.
This series begins on Sept. 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m., the moment American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Glenn takes us back to that horrific morning and provides a firsthand account of the response by NYPD Aviation assets during one of the darkest days in American history. He shares not only the operational response, but also his personal experiences and how that day forever changed him both professionally and personally.
Throughout this series, we walk through Glenn’s remarkable NYPD career, including his time assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit, and discuss the transition into flying and instructing after retirement from the department. Glenn’s passion for aviation safety and training is evident throughout every episode.
One of the most impactful parts of this conversation is our deep dive into IIMC (inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions). Glenn shares his extensive knowledge and experience on what pilots and crews must do to prevent and survive these situations. We discuss go and no-go decision making, simulator training, proficiency versus currency, instrument ratings, crew coordination, and the mindset required to avoid tragedy. These lessons are real-world, practical, and potentially lifesaving.

Episodes like this truly have the power to save lives someday, and we are incredibly fortunate that Glenn was willing to share his experiences, knowledge, and perspective with all our listeners.
This is a conversation you will not forget.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Dallas Avionics and Spectrolab.

How Glenn Daley's Experience Shapes Aviation Safety Part 2 | Ep 361 Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Robinson Helicopter and SHOTOVER.

How Glenn Daley's Experience Shapes Aviation Safety Part I | Ep 360 Jun 08, 2026

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Thank you to our sponsors CNC Technologies, Metro Aviation and Trakka Systems.

Inside SR3: Revolutionizing Rescue Training | Ep 359 Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus. This episode was recorded live from the floor of VAI Verticon 2026 in Atlanta at the Vertical Plus booth.

In this episode we catch up with two returning guests and highly respected rescue and aviation professionals, retired Las Vegas Metro officer and owner of SR3 Rescue Concepts, Dave Callen, along with longtime law enforcement pilot and SR3 instructor, Tony Weber.

This was a rapid-fire conversation in the middle of a packed convention floor, but that energy made for an outstanding discussion centered around one critical topic — precision training for real-world rescue missions. Dave and Tony share their perspectives on the importance of outside training, the impact of the Hoist Users Conference, and why realistic, mission-focused preparation can make the difference when lives are on the line.

We also discuss a quote that resonates deeply throughout aviation and law enforcement: “The absence of an accident does not imply the presence of safety.” It’s a mindset that challenges organizations and operators to constantly evaluate training, proficiency, and readiness long before something goes wrong.

As always, there are plenty of laughs mixed in with the serious conversation, and we’re incredibly grateful to have two trusted subject matter experts join us again to talk about the evolution of life-saving rescue training.

For more information on SR3 Rescue Concepts, visit SR3rescue.com

Thank you to all our sponsors Onboard Systems Hoist and Winch, Summit Aviation and Quantum Helicopters.

Episode 358 - Blades of Valor Tour 2026: Inside Broward Sheriff's Office Part 3 Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus.
This three-part series comes to you from the hangar at Broward Sheriff's Office as part of the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour, where we had the opportunity to interview Sgt Paul Seda and pilot Carl Spear.
The Blades of Valor Tour spotlights public safety aviation units recognized for outstanding service and celebrates those who go above and beyond. We aim to promote the good work these agencies do and highlight the standard of excellence they set.
These teams serve as a benchmark for the public aviation community. Our mission is to share their stories of unwavering commitment, courage, innovative leadership, teamwork, and technological innovation from agencies setting the standard in public safety aviation.
Thank you to our 2026 Blades of Valor Tour sponsor, Switlik Survival Products, for making this tour possible. Switlik Survival Products supports aviation, marine, military, and search-and-rescue with a wide variety of high-quality survival products. To learn more, go to Switlik.com
Massif provides the flight suits that support our crew in the field.
This Hangar Z episode, recorded on location at the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) in Fort Lauderdale, marks the second stop of the 2026 Blades of Valor Tour.
The episode dives deep into the operational excellence of the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Sgt Seda and Officer Spear explain the "hunt bad guys" philosophy that drives their mission and the transition from a multi-mission medevac/LEO hybrid to a dedicated, high-tempo law enforcement unit.
The episode concludes with a tribute to Spear, who reflects on a 39-year law enforcement career. The crew discusses the "culture of consistency" and the passion required to sustain a long, successful career in the cockpit.
This stop on the Blades of Valor tour highlights a unit built on trust, transparency, and a relentless commitment to supporting the men and women on the ground.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, CNC Technologies and Dallas Avionics.

Episode 357 - Blades of Valor Tour 2026: Inside Broward Sheriff's Office Part 2 May 28, 2026

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Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, CNC Technologies and SHOTOVER.

Episode 356 - Blades of Valor Tour 2026: Inside Broward Sheriff's Office Part 1 May 25, 2026

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

Episode 355 - Trends in the Helicopter Industry Featuring Terry Miyauchi Part 2 May 21, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Plus.
In this two-part series of The Hangar Z Podcast, host Jon Gray is joined by OG co-host Jeff Ratkovich and industry veteran Terry Miyauchi.
The conversation takes us on a deep dive into the evolving landscape of public safety aviation. Fresh off his transition from Bell to launching his own public-safety-focused consultancy, Terry helps unpack the global trends, leadership philosophies, and safety data shaping the industry in 2026.
The conversation begins with Terry’s passion for leadership development. He explains why public safety aviation consistently produces world-class technicians but often struggles to produce equally strong leaders.
Terry introduces the idea that “ego is the killer of excellence” and makes the case that a genuine “love of people” is the most critical trait for any unit commander. From there, they analyze current global fleet data, highlighting the stark imbalance in rotorcraft assets between North America/Europe and the rest of the world—and what that means for life-saving capability and public safety outcomes.
The series then shifts into the practical realities of staffing and funding. Terry explores the growing trend toward “turnkey” and “civilianized” models, where agencies partner with private operators to overcome the crushing costs of sworn retirement systems, chronic personnel shortages, and aging aircraft. Along the way, we examine how political savviness, not just operational need, often determines whether new units get launched or existing fleets get modernized.
Whether you’re a unit manager fighting for fleet upgrades, a pilot wrestling with target fixation and weather pressures, a tactical flight officer (TFO) trying to raise safety and standards, or an agency exploring how to launch a new program, this two-part series delivers a candid masterclass in the business, politics, and human psychology of keeping public safety aviation missions safe, sustainable, and effective.

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, Bell and SHOTOVER.

Episode 354 - Trends in the Helicopter Industry Featuring Terry Miyauchi Part 1 May 18, 2026

Show notes

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, BLR Aerospace and Rotorcraft Support.

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