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

In this powerful two-part series, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Jim Moss, a retired member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, to discuss the invaluable lessons learned throughout his remarkable career.

Join us as Jim shares his journey from growing up in a single-parent household to becoming a deputy sheriff, emphasizing the importance of humility in leadership and the role of cognitive diversity in building effective teams.

With his experience as a SWAT team member and tactical medic on Air Rescue 5, Jim offers a unique perspective on high-risk missions and the critical nature of debriefing for performance improvement.

This episode highlights Jim's reflections on the relationship between officers and inmates, and the varied opportunities within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. We’ll delve into the vital role of training, the intricacies of aviation operations, and the essential skills required for crew chiefs in the field.

Jim recounts a memorable and challenging experience responding to an active shooter incident and discusses the extensive training necessary to excel in roles within the Special Enforcement Bureau and Emergency Services Detail. With accolades like the Medal of Valor and the NBC Hero of the Week award, Jim remains grounded and humble about his accomplishments.

Whether you’re interested in law enforcement, aviation, or leadership development, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and advice for those aspiring to make a difference.

Thank you to our sponsors Onboard Systems, SHOTOVER and Spectrolab.

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

In this inspiring episode, co-hosts Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with Dave Salem, a legendary figure in the law enforcement aviation community.

Together, they explore Dave's remarkable journey from police officer to pilot in the Mesa Police Department's air unit, influenced greatly by his father, an Air Force pilot.

The conversation delves into captivating locations like Sycamore Creek and Alpine, Wyoming, and reflects on pivotal moments in aviation history, including the space program and the Challenger explosion.

Dave shares invaluable insights on the critical role of air support in law enforcement, emphasizing how it acts as a force multiplier in various operations. He recounts a tense traffic stop where the presence of a helicopter transformed a potentially dangerous situation.

Dave talks about the early challenges of establishing the Mesa air support unit, the importance of maintaining detailed performance statistics, and the value of partnerships with other departments.

As the episode progresses, Dave discusses his transition to MD Helicopters and shares advice from his experience as a senior demonstration pilot at Bell.

His passion for helicopter flight training shines through, particularly regarding auto rotations and emergency procedure, with a vision to mentor the next generation of helicopter pilots through his company Eagle West Helicopters.

Join us for this engaging conversation that highlights the importance of collaboration, training, and the passion that drives the law enforcement aviation industry.

Thank you to our sponsors Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing, Garmin and Robinson Helicopters.

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

In this inspiring episode, co-hosts Jeff Ratkovich and Jon Gray sit down with Dave Salem, a legendary figure in the law enforcement aviation community.

Together, they explore Dave's remarkable journey from police officer to pilot in the Mesa Police Department's air unit, influenced greatly by his father, an Air Force pilot.

The conversation delves into captivating locations like Sycamore Creek and Alpine, Wyoming, and reflects on pivotal moments in aviation history, including the space program and the Challenger explosion.

Dave shares invaluable insights on the critical role of air support in law enforcement, emphasizing how it acts as a force multiplier in various operations. He recounts a tense traffic stop where the presence of a helicopter transformed a potentially dangerous situation.

Dave talks about the early challenges of establishing the Mesa air support unit, the importance of maintaining detailed performance statistics, and the value of partnerships with other departments.

As the episode progresses, Dave discusses his transition to MD Helicopters and shares advice from his experience as a senior demonstration pilot at Bell.

His passion for helicopter flight training shines through, particularly regarding auto rotations and emergency procedure, with a vision to mentor the next generation of helicopter pilots through his company Eagle West Helicopters.

Join us for this engaging conversation that highlights the importance of collaboration, training, and the passion that drives the law enforcement aviation industry.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, Precision Aviation Group and Wysong Enterprises.