The Hangar Z Podcast

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

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.

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 Precision Aviation Group, Robinson Helicopter and SHOTOVER.

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 CNC Technologies, Metro Aviation and Trakka Systems.

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.