Episode 263 Inside Phoenix PD Air Support: Culture Over Technology Part 1

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

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This inaugural three-part series of the Hangar Z Podcast was recorded on location at the Phoenix Police Department’s Aviation Unit at Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, as part of the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour. This year, our journey will take us to four agencies across four states, showcasing their exceptional work through print, video, and right here on the podcast.

Events like this tour wouldn’t be possible without incredible support. A special thank you to Airbus and Massif Flight Suits — your support made the 2025 Blades of Valor Road Tour a reality.

The Phoenix Police Department’s Air Support Unit has a unique structure  comprising of two distinctive details: Fixed wing and rotorcraft. We were fortunate to sit down with a representative from each detail to get a comprehensive look at the entire operation.

Today’s guests are Glenn Ellefritz, Chief Pilot for fixed wing operations and Scott Hopkins, Instructor Pilot for rotorcraft.

As you might guess from this being a three-part series, you can expect a deep dive into a wide range of topics including Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) selection and training, pilot development, the recent addition of a second Pilatus PC-12, and the challenges of recruitment and retention. You’ll also hear about the fascinating career paths of both guests.

Stay tuned as we explore the Phoenix Air Support Unit’s guiding philosophy of “Culture over Technology.”

For more about our visit to Phoenix PD Air Support, be sure to check out the Brent Bundy articles in the Vertical Valor ASPCON edition and then watch the incredible videos by Lloyd Horgan on the Vertical Magazine YouTube channel.

Thank you to our sponsors CNC Technologies, Metro Aviation and SHOTOVER Systems.