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 Jack Schonely and co-host Harald Brink go international and speak to Joseba Mendizabal, a Lieutenant Pilot from the Basque Police in Spain.

Joseba is an inspiring and funny fixture in our industry. His journey spans from aspiring pilot to military service and now a dedicated helicopter pilot for the Basque Country’s police force.

Join us as Joseba shares his experiences, including a memorable flight over New York City that sparked his decision to pursue his pilot assignment. During the conversation, we explore the transformation of Bilbao, and the intricacies of modern policing.

From personal anecdotes about military training to discussions on resilience and teamwork, this conversation highlights the critical role of helicopter pilots in law enforcement and the significance of industry training and networking events like PavCon.

Our goal with these international conversations is to connect and engage with our international brothers and sisters in public safety aviation. Sharing insights, experiences, and best practices across international borders strengthens our collective efforts.

Together, we can learn from one another, celebrate our shared passion for aviation, and enhance our commitment to protecting and serving the public. Join us in this vital conversation as we bridge gaps and foster collaboration in the world of public safety aviation!

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, Precision Aviation Group and CNC Technologies.

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

This episode of The Hangar Z Podcast was recorded in Amsterdam on the floor of European Rotors, at the MHM Publishing podcast booth. In this episode, I get to sit down with Cal Meeker, founder of Meeker Aviation. Just about every public safety aviation mission would not be possible without the external payload mounts produced by Meeker Aviation that secure mission equipment to our aircraft.

During the conversation, Cal shares his journey in the aviation industry, particularly in public safety. The conversation covers Cal's early experiences with helicopters, the challenges of starting a business, the importance of commitment and sacrifice, and the evolution of public safety mission equipment.

Cal also discusses his passion for racing and how it intersects with his work in aviation, as well as the complexities of product development and the significance of quality in public safety aviation.

In this conversation, Cal discusses his innovative design practices, some of the challenges faced in his projects, and the importance of engaging the next generation of aviators.

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

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS.

This two-part series of Hangar Z was recorded on location in Richmond, Virginia, at the ECHO Public Safety Aviation Conference.

Host Jon Gray has a roundtable discussion with Terry Miyauchi, Bell’s public safety segment manager; Dave Callen, SR3 Rescue Concepts owner; and Andrew Baity, a Virginia State Police helicopter pilot.

They share insights on the importance of networking, training, and collaboration among agencies, especially during emergencies. The conversation highlights the value of fly-ins for fostering relationships and the need for continuous training to ensure safety and efficiency in operations.

This conversation delves into the importance of teamwork and leadership in aviation, emphasizing the need to set aside ego for collective success. It explores how technological advancements are reshaping the industry while highlighting the necessity of maintaining human skills and training.

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