Episode 173- Navigating APSCON 2024 with APSA's Dan Schwarzbach and Dan Knight

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical Helicasts!In this episode, Jack Schonely and I preview APSCON 2024, happening in Houston, Texas, from July 29th to August 3rd. We are joined by the Airborne Public Safety Association's Executive Director and CEO, Dan Schwarzbach, and Training Program Manager, Dan Knight.APSCON 2024 is the annual conference for public safety aviation professionals worldwide, offering educational programs, hands-on training, networking opportunities, and the latest in technology and equipment.Dan Schwarzbach brings 38 years of experience with the Houston Police Department, including 30 years in the Air Support Division. Since 2014, he has served as the Executive Director and CEO of the Airborne Public Safety Association.Dan Knight began his law enforcement career in 1990, later joining the Federal Air Marshal Service and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. He now serves as the Training Program Manager for the Airborne Public Safety Association.Tune in for insights on APSCON 2024 and the expertise of these industry leaders.Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopters, Spectrum Aeromed, and Precision Aviation Group.

Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS!In this episode, we talk about the ongoing battle against wildfires in Southern California, a region where the threat of wildfires persists year-round. For this conversation, we have the privilege of welcoming Desiree Horton and co-host Tony Webber to uncover the tireless efforts and evolving strategies employed by SoCal agencies to combat wildfires in a region where the fire season never truly ends.  First, we have Desiree Horton, a trailblazer in public safety aviation with over three decades of experience and more than 10,000 flight hours to her name. From her early days navigating the busy airspace of Southern California to becoming the first female pilot on an exclusive use contract for Region 5 with the U.S. Forest Service, Desiree's journey is one of perseverance and ground-breaking achievements. Currently serving as a fire/rescue pilot for the Kern County Fire Department, she continues to inspire and pave the way for women in the industry. Joining Desiree on the podcast is Tony Webber, a seasoned helicopter pilot with a distinguished background in law enforcement and firefighting. With over 9,000 flight hours, extensive experience in mountainous terrain, and a strong dedication to safety demonstrated through his certifications and training, Tony's expertise is truly exceptional. His decorated career with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, where he rose to the position of corporal/fire-rescue pilot, showcases his commitment to public service and his invaluable contributions to search and rescue missions. Together, Desiree and Tony bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for aviation to The Hangar Z Podcast, offering listeners a unique insight into the world of public safety aviation and firefighting. This podcast recording is in conjunction with an article in the summer issue of Vertical Valor Magazine. Go to Vertical Valor online to check out the fantastic writing and content in the summer issue.Thank you to our sponsors CNC Technologies, Metro Aviation and Bell.

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 was 17. She attended a Catholic high school but took a brief detour from her academic pursuits for a few years. Despite this, her passion for sports led her to earn a scholarship for soccer and track, eventually pursuing a degree in criminal justice at a university in Missouri.After graduating, Helen returned to Montreal for a summer before traveling to Arizona to visit her sister. Although she originally planned to continue to Hawaii, she fell in love with Phoenix and decided to stay, eventually applying to the Phoenix Police Department.Helen's career with the Phoenix Police Department began in 2004, patrolling the busy Maryvale precinct. From 2008 to 2015, she served as a detective in the Robbery-Kidnapping-Extortion unit before joining the ATF Violent Crimes Task Force, where she worked undercover until 2018. She then returned to Maryvale patrol until 2020, when she transitioned to the Air Support Unit.In 2021, Helen attended flight school, earning her commercial pilot's certificate by March 2022. Her extensive training includes three phases of TFO training, each lasting three months.In addition to her professional achievements, Helen is passionate about dog sports and training, working part-time for K9 Defense, a company specializing in raising and training police and other working dogs.Thank you to our sponsors Astronautics Corporation of America, Summit Aviation, and Precision Aviation Group.

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 was 17. She attended a Catholic high school but took a brief detour from her academic pursuits for a few years. Despite this, her passion for sports led her to earn a scholarship for soccer and track, eventually pursuing a degree in criminal justice at a university in Missouri.After graduating, Helen returned to Montreal for a summer before traveling to Arizona to visit her sister. Although she originally planned to continue to Hawaii, she fell in love with Phoenix and decided to stay, eventually applying to the Phoenix Police Department.Helen's career with the Phoenix Police Department began in 2004, patrolling the busy Maryvale precinct. From 2008 to 2015, she served as a detective in the Robbery-Kidnapping-Extortion unit before joining the ATF Violent Crimes Task Force, where she worked undercover until 2018. She then returned to Maryvale patrol until 2020, when she transitioned to the Air Support Unit.In 2021, Helen attended flight school, earning her commercial pilot's certificate by March 2022. Her extensive training includes three phases of TFO training, each lasting three months.In addition to her professional achievements, Helen is passionate about dog sports and training, working part-time for K9 Defense, a company specializing in raising and training police and other working dogs.Thank you to our sponsors  SHOTOVER, Spectrum Aeromed, and Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing.

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 regions, including the Arctic.Andre is currently serving as a police helicopter pilot with the York Regional Police Department in Ontario, Canada. Andre contributes to the Air Support Unit, executing missions with precision and safety. His previous roles include supporting operations in the Arctic and remote oil-and-gas sites, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in challenging environments. Before his aviation career, Andre served as a police officer and detective with the Zurich Cantonal Police in Switzerland, honing his investigative and leadership skills over nearly two decades. Additionally, his experience in the Swiss Armed Forces further enriched his teamwork and communication abilities.Thank you to our sponsors Astronautics Corporation of America, Dallas Avionics and Robinson Helicopters.

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 regions, including the Arctic.Andre is currently serving as a police helicopter pilot with the York Regional Police Department in Ontario, Canada. Andre contributes to the Air Support Unit, executing missions with precision and safety. His previous roles include supporting operations in the Arctic and remote oil-and-gas sites, demonstrating adaptability and resilience in challenging environments. Before his aviation career, Andre served as a police officer and detective with the Zurich Cantonal Police in Switzerland, honing his investigative and leadership skills over nearly two decades. Additionally, his experience in the Swiss Armed Forces further enriched his teamwork and communication abilities.Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, Summit Aviation and SHOTOVER.

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 traffickers. Torque is also a therapy dog, providing comfort and support to veterans and children in hospitals and schools.  The EMU Crew also shares their work with Huey Vets, an organization that uses helicopters to raise awareness about the forgotten heroes of the Vietnam War.  We discuss the challenges and maintenance considerations of operating and restoring the Huey helicopter.  EMU 309 Geoff Carr, a Vietnam vet, and his team, discuss the battle damage and life expectancy of the aircraft during the Vietnam War. They also discuss the nonprofit nature of their organization and their mission to support veterans and raise awareness about PTSD.Thank you to our sponsors Bell, Dallas Avionics and Metro Aviation.

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 traffickers. Torque is also a therapy dog, providing comfort and support to veterans and children in hospitals and schools.  The EMU Crew also shares their work with Huey Vets, an organization that uses helicopters to raise awareness about the forgotten heroes of the Vietnam War.  We discuss the challenges and maintenance considerations of operating and restoring the Huey helicopter.  EMU 309 Geoff Carr, a Vietnam vet, and his team, discuss the battle damage and life expectancy of the aircraft during the Vietnam War. They also discuss the nonprofit nature of their organization and their mission to support veterans and raise awareness about PTSD.Thank you to our Sponsors Bell, Precision Aviation Group and CNC Technologies.

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 those on the frontlines of emergency response. Moore and Hill illuminate the genesis of Airbox, tracing its roots from a navigation solution for private pilots to becoming the go-to provider of situational awareness tools for law enforcement, military and emergency services worldwide. With over 400 maps available and the ability to operate offline, Airbox's software ensures seamless coordination and decision-making in the most challenging environments. Moore's entrepreneurial acumen, coupled with Hill's extensive military background, has fueled Airbox's mission to connect air and ground responders, creating a unified operational picture to save lives. Hear firsthand how Airbox's passion for protecting life drives the company’s relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. Moore's visionary leadership and Hill's wealth of experience from 34 years with 22 SAS, the active regiment of the U.K. Special Air Service, converge to deliver software solutions that empower responders with critical information when it matters most. But Airbox isn't just about technology; it's about people. Learn how Hill's dedication to supporting service personnel led him to establish Hire A Hero, a military charity aiding in the transition from service to civilian life. His decorated military career underscores the commitment to service that permeates Airbox's DNA. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology, service and humanity with two remarkable individuals at the helm of Airbox Systems. Whether you're fascinated by cutting-edge tech or inspired by stories of courage and compassion, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the future of emergency response.Thank you to our sponsors Technisonic, Metro Aviation and Robinson Helicopters

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 those on the frontlines of emergency response. Moore and Hill illuminate the genesis of Airbox, tracing its roots from a navigation solution for private pilots to becoming the go-to provider of situational awareness tools for law enforcement, military and emergency services worldwide. With over 400 maps available and the ability to operate offline, Airbox's software ensures seamless coordination and decision-making in the most challenging environments. Moore's entrepreneurial acumen, coupled with Hill's extensive military background, has fueled Airbox's mission to connect air and ground responders, creating a unified operational picture to save lives. Hear firsthand how Airbox's passion for protecting life drives the company’s relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. Moore's visionary leadership and Hill's wealth of experience from 34 years with 22 SAS, the active regiment of the U.K. Special Air Service, converge to deliver software solutions that empower responders with critical information when it matters most. But Airbox isn't just about technology; it's about people. Learn how Hill's dedication to supporting service personnel led him to establish Hire A Hero, a military charity aiding in the transition from service to civilian life. His decorated military career underscores the commitment to service that permeates Airbox's DNA. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology, service and humanity with two remarkable individuals at the helm of Airbox Systems. Whether you're fascinated by cutting-edge tech or inspired by stories of courage and compassion, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the future of emergency response.Thank you to our sponsors Collins Aerospace Goodrich hoist and winch,  Garmin and Airbus Helicopters.