Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part series, co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Helene Balmir, a pilot from the Phoenix Police Department.Born to a French-Canadian mother and a Haitian father who immigrated to New York in the 1960s, Helen grew up in Montreal, Canada. She is the youngest of three sisters.From a young age, Helen was an avid skier, hitting the slopes before she could walk and competing in downhill skiing until she ...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part series, co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Andre Schabron. Andre is an accomplished helicopter pilot holding an Airline Transport Pilot certificate (ATPL) with experience across varied environments. With a professional demeanor and a proactive approach, he excels in team settings and thrives under pressure. His aviation experience encompasses flying in controlled airspaces and remo...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this two-part series, co-hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Andre Schabron. Andre is an accomplished helicopter pilot holding an Airline Transport Pilot certificate (ATPL) with experience across varied environments. With a professional demeanor and a proactive approach, he excels in team settings and thrives under pressure. His aviation experience encompasses flying in controlled airspaces and remote reg...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Kris Stone, owner and handler of K9 Torque and the Huey Vets crew from EMU Inc. In this conversation, the EMU Crew discusses their work with K9 Torque, a detection dog trained to find electronic storage devices. Torque specializes in finding flash drives and SD cards to help investigators gather evidence against child sexual predators and tra...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this two-part series, hosts Jack Schonely and Jon Gray sit down with Kris Stone, owner and handler of K9 Torque and the Huey Vets crew from EMU Inc. In this conversation, the EMU Crew discusses their work with K9 Torque, a detection dog trained to find electronic storage devices. Torque specializes in finding flash drives and SD cards to help investigators gather evidence against child sexual predators and tra...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Airbox, a trailblazing company reshaping the landscape of situational awareness technology. During this episode, hosts Richard Brandon and Jon Gray sit down with Airbox Systems co-founder and CEO, William Moore and director, Gerry Hill, for an exclusive insider's look at their groundbreaking journey. Airbox isn't just a software company; it's a lifeline for th...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Airbox, a trailblazing company reshaping the landscape of situational awareness technology. During this episode, hosts Richard Brandon and Jon Gray sit down with Airbox Systems co-founder and CEO, William Moore and director, Gerry Hill, for an exclusive insider's look at their groundbreaking journey. Airbox isn't just a software company; it's a lifeline f...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! In this two-part series, Mike Calhoun and Jon Gray sit down with Andrew Edgerton, chief pilot of the Fairfax County Police Department. The Fairfax County Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in Virginia, serving a population of over 1.1 million residents. Fairfax County borders the Potomac River, with Washington, D.C., directly across on the northern and eastern banks. Edgerton discu...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! In this two-part series, Mike Calhoun and Jon Gray sit down with Andrew Edgerton, chief pilot of the Fairfax County Police Department. The Fairfax County Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in Virginia, serving a population of over 1.1 million residents. Fairfax County borders the Potomac River, with Washington, D.C., directly across on the northern and eastern banks. Edgerton discu...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!In this two-part series Bryan Smith and Jon Gray sit down with Dr. Daphne “Pole” Ryan, or “Doc” as she is known in naval aviation. Ryan is a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and an aviation specialist physical therapist. She has over two decades of experience and over 42,000 direct care patient hours. Ryan has spent the last seven years working directly with aviators to mitigate their spinal pa...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!In this two-part series Bryan Smith and Jon Gray sit down with Dr. Daphne “Pole” Ryan, or “Doc” as she is known in naval aviation. Ryan is a board-certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and an aviation specialist physical therapist. She has over two decades of experience and over 42,000 direct care patient hours. Ryan has spent the last seven years working directly with aviators to mitigate their spinal pa...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! In this episode of The Hangar Z Podcast, Mike Calhoun and Jason Quinn from the Real ResQ Podcast speak with James Hickman, the chief pilot at Two Bear Air Rescue. Join us as we unravel the story of Hickman’s aviation career, from his humble beginnings in Oregon to the peaks of Montana. The ultimate mission of Two Bear Air Rescue is saving lives. Based near Whitefish, Montana, Two Bear Air Rescue provides world-cl...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS. In this long-anticipated two-part series, we sit down with U.S. Army pilot CW5 Allen C. Mack, who authored the riveting book Razor 03.In Razor 03, Mack shares his behind the scenes perspective of The Horse Soldiers in the war in Afghanistan. Mack discusses the hunt for Osama bin Laden, and his shoot-down during Operation Anaconda. Years later, he chased Bowe Bergdahl, rescued hostages in Iraq and a survivor from the Kunar ...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS. In this long-anticipated two-part series, we sit down with U.S. Army pilot CW5 Allen C. Mack, who authored the riveting book Razor 03.In Razor 03, Mack shares his behind the scenes perspective of The Horse Soldiers in the war in Afghanistan. Mack discusses the hunt for Osama bin Laden, and his shoot-down during Operation Anaconda. Years later, he chased Bowe Bergdahl, rescued hostages in Iraq and a survivor from the Kunar ...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!In this two-part series, we sit down to talk with Capt Lee Majors from the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) in Florida.The LCSO has operated helicopters in support of law enforcement and public safety efforts in Tallahassee, Leon County, and the surrounding area since 1974. For the first 25 or so years, LCSO operated the only law enforcement helicopter in the Florida panhandle. Today, the LCSO Aviation Bureau is oft...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!In this two-part series, we sit down to talk with Capt Lee Majors from the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) in Florida.The LCSO has operated helicopters in support of law enforcement and public safety efforts in Tallahassee, Leon County, and the surrounding area since 1974. For the first 25 or so years, LCSO operated the only law enforcement helicopter in the Florida panhandle. Today, the LCSO Aviation Bureau is oft...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   This will be another one of our Vertical Helicasts Mash-Up episodes with Halsey Schider from The Helicopter Podcast and Jason Quinn from the Real ResQ Podcast.   In this episode we introduce our newest Vertical host, Val Medved, who will be hosting the new Vertical MRO Podcast—the first episode drops today.   The Vertical MRO Podcast explores the world of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul. The episodes feature...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with the industry's best airborne tactical instructors to discuss the importance of training and collaboration in the industry.   This series has an all-star lineup up including Jack Schonely, Clay Lacey and Nick Minx.    Schonely spent over 30 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is a nationally recognized expert in suspect tactics and perimeter...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with the industry's best airborne tactical instructors to discuss the importance of training and collaboration in the industry.   This series has an all-star lineup up including Jack Schonely, Clay Lacey and Nick Minx.    Schonely spent over 30 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is a nationally recognized expert in suspect tactics and perimeter...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with the industry's best airborne tactical instructors to discuss the importance of training and collaboration in the industry.   This series has an all-star lineup up including Jack Schonely, Clay Lacey and Nick Minx.    Schonely spent over 30 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is a nationally recognized expert in suspect tactics and perimeter...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! This episode was recorded live from the floor of HAI Heli-Expo in Anaheim in March 2024, where we were able to interview the HAI Salute to Excellence Pilot of the Year Award recipient Mike Sagely. Sagely's path to becoming a decorated pilot isn’t typical. After a successful college volleyball career that even included a stint on the U.S. Olympic volleyball team, Sagely enlisted in the U.S. Army in his mid-20s. His...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. A decorated former LAPD officer, Tactical Flight Officer and pilot. Deb Dickerson thrives on a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball, and track.   A pivotal moment came in 1984 during a...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts! In this three-part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. A decorated former LAPD officer, Tactical Flight Officer and pilot. Deb Dickerson thrives on a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball, and track.   A pivotal moment came in 1984 during a vacation...

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!   In this three-part series, we sit down to talk with Deb Dickerson. Dickerson is a decorated former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, tactical flight officer (TFO) and pilot who thrives in a life filled with challenge and passion. Born and raised in the tight-knit community of Guttenberg, Iowa (population 1,500), Deb developed a competitive spirit through sports like softball, basketball and track.   A...