The Hangar Z Podcast

• Episode 298 - From F-16s to Quantum Helicopters: A Conversation with Terry Blakemore Part 1

  Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com/ to enter!In this episode, hosts Jon Gray and Jack Schonely speak with the owner and CEO of Quantum Helicopters, Terry Blakemore.Terry’s story of how he ended up owning Quantum Helicopters in Chandler, Arizona, is unique—starting with a fixed-wing flight at age nine. That flight with his dad resulted in a focus on aviation and the goal of flying fighter jets. Terry’s hard work paid off with an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy and eventually flying F-16s.Terry tells us about his interest in helicopters that lead to him taking lessons at, you guessed it, Quantum Helicopters. His aviation and business experience led to eventually owning the business.We discuss flying an F-16, risk management, leadership, flight instruction, and the important safety culture while training students.Don’t forget to like and subscribe to The Hangar Z Podcast. We also appreciate you taking a minute to write a review. These little things make a big difference for us to bring you a quality podcast with incredible guests.Thank you to our sponsors Dallas Avionics, CNC Technologies and Robinson Helicopter.

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• Episode 297 - Honoring our fallen through the Police Unity Tour with Chuck Buttitta

  Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!In this three-episode series, we’re honored to sit down with retired Los Angeles Police Department SWAT veteran Sgt Chuck Buttitta. Over the course of four decades, Chuck was a true “customer” of law enforcement aviation units—working alongside aircrews in countless ways. His career path spanned patrol, narcotics, SWAT operator, sniper, SWAT supervisor, and even search-and-rescue in retirement.Chuck’s distinguished service is marked by numerous accolades, including the Medal of Valor, two Police Stars, the Police Commission Unit Citation, the Police Meritorious Unit Citation, two Bureau Commendations, more than 150 minor commendations, the 2009 Top Cop Award, and in retirement, the Ventura County Citizen Medal of Merit for a rescue.Chuck joins us to share the customer’s perspective on aviation support—particularly during SWAT and K9 operations. It’s a critical conversation because aviation units exist to serve and protect those on the ground: Our officers, deputies, troopers, agents, and ultimately, the communities we all safeguard.In episode three, we shift to a topic deeply important to both Chuck and this podcast—remembering our fallen officers. Chuck reflects on how remembrance must go beyond words and into action. One powerful example is the Police Unity Tour, which both Chuck and Jack participated in many times. We’ll talk about how this life-changing experience honors those we’ve lost, how you can get involved, and why carrying their memory forward is one of the most meaningful things we can do. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.Thank you again to all our sponsors and followers. We appreciate you very much. Don’t forget to like, share, subscribe, and leave us a review.Thank you to our sponsors Night Flight Concepts, Precision Aviation Group and Trakka Systems .

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• Episode 296 - LAPD SWAT 20 David with Chuck Buttitta Part 2

  Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!In this three-episode series, we’re honored to sit down with retired Los Angeles Police Department SWAT veteran Sgt Chuck Buttitta. Over the course of four decades, Chuck was a true “customer” of law enforcement aviation units—working alongside aircrews in countless ways. His career path spanned patrol, narcotics, SWAT operator, sniper, SWAT supervisor, and even search-and-rescue in retirement.Chuck’s distinguished service is marked by numerous accolades, including the Medal of Valor, two Police Stars, the Police Commission Unit Citation, the Police Meritorious Unit Citation, two Bureau Commendations, more than 150 minor commendations, the 2009 Top Cop Award, and in retirement, the Ventura County Citizen Medal of Merit for a rescue.Chuck joins us to share the customer’s perspective on aviation support—particularly during SWAT and K9 operations. It’s a critical conversation because aviation units exist to serve and protect those on the ground: Our officers, deputies, troopers, agents, and ultimately, the communities we all safeguard.In episode three, we shift to a topic deeply important to both Chuck and this podcast—remembering our fallen officers. Chuck reflects on how remembrance must go beyond words and into action. One powerful example is the Police Unity Tour, which both Chuck and Jack participated in many times. We’ll talk about how this life-changing experience honors those we’ve lost, how you can get involved, and why carrying their memory forward is one of the most meaningful things we can do. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.Thank you again to all our sponsors and followers. We appreciate you very much. Don’t forget to like, share, subscribe, and leave us a review.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Canyon AeroConnect and Metro Aviation.

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• Episode 295 - LAPD SWAT 20 David with Chuck Buttitta Part 1

  Welcome to the Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor Magazine.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!In this three-episode series, we’re honored to sit down with retired Los Angeles Police Department SWAT veteran Sgt Chuck Buttitta. Over the course of four decades, Chuck was a true “customer” of law enforcement aviation units—working alongside aircrews in countless ways. His career path spanned patrol, narcotics, SWAT operator, sniper, SWAT supervisor, and even search-and-rescue in retirement.Chuck’s distinguished service is marked by numerous accolades, including the Medal of Valor, two Police Stars, the Police Commission Unit Citation, the Police Meritorious Unit Citation, two Bureau Commendations, more than 150 minor commendations, the 2009 Top Cop Award, and in retirement, the Ventura County Citizen Medal of Merit for a rescue.Chuck joins us to share the customer’s perspective on aviation support—particularly during SWAT and K9 operations. It’s a critical conversation because aviation units exist to serve and protect those on the ground: Our officers, deputies, troopers, agents, and ultimately, the communities we all safeguard.In episode three, we shift to a topic deeply important to both Chuck and this podcast—remembering our fallen officers. Chuck reflects on how remembrance must go beyond words and into action. One powerful example is the Police Unity Tour, which both Chuck and Jack participated in many times. We’ll talk about how this life-changing experience honors those we’ve lost, how you can get involved, and why carrying their memory forward is one of the most meaningful things we can do. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.Thank you again to all our sponsors and followers. We appreciate you very much. Don’t forget to like, share, subscribe, and leave us a review.Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Canyon AeroConnect and Metro Aviation.

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• Episode 294 - Blades of Valor Award Recipients: El Dorado County Sheriff's Part 2

  Welcome to The Hangar Z Podcast, brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS, in partnership with Vertical Valor magazine.Listen closely for your chance to win awesome prizes from Heli Life! Throughout 2025, every episode of The Hangar Z Podcast will reveal a secret word. Once you catch it, head to contests.verticalhelicasts.com to enter!In this episode, all of us at Vertical Valor Magazine and The Hangar Z Podcast congratulate the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit on receiving the Blades of Valor award for Service, Courage, and Flight. From a meeting with the sheriff in 2021 to launching a fully operational unit just three years later, their journey has been one of vision, dedication, and collaboration.The team carefully selected the right people and the right airframe for their mission, drawing valuable insight from neighboring aviation units, the Airborne Public Safety Association, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. The result: 22 rescues in their very first year of operation.Representing the unit are its three full-time members—Sergeant Jesse Decanay, Pilot Joe Brown, and TFO/Mechanic Patrick Becker. Together, we discuss the challenges of building a law enforcement aviation program from the ground up, choosing the right airframe and personnel, and establishing a strong safety culture from day one.Thank you to all our followers and our sponsors. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to The Hangar Z Podcast.Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, SHOTOVER and Summit Aviation. 

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