Episode 291 - Insights on the Camp Mystic Flood with Texas Parks and Wildlife Chief Pilot Brandon Rose 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, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely sit down with Brandon Rose, chief pilot with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department . The conversation highlights the critical response to the devastating floods that swept through Hill Country in Central Texas, with Brandon sharing valuable insights into the numerous challenges faced during rescue operations amid severe weather conditions. In July 2025, the Hill Country region of Texas experienced catastrophic flooding, overwhelming communities and complicating rescue efforts. This intense flooding resulted in at least 136 fatalities, with at least 119 occurring in Kerr County. Brandon’s insights highlight the resilience, adaptability, and skill required by rescue teams to effectively navigate extreme weather conditions. He emphasizes the importance of thorough training and mission proficiency, alongside the crucial role that advanced technology plays in enhancing emergency response capabilities. The importance of accurate forecasting and the integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology in emergency response are highlighted. Brandon also reflects on his journey to becoming a game warden and pilot. Brandon discusses the evolution of aircraft used in public safety, the training and operations for rescue missions, and the challenges faced in adopting new mission profiles. He highlights the importance of technology, particularly drones and artificial intelligence, in enhancing operational efficiency. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring public safety aviators, emphasizing perseverance and the importance of training. Thank you to our sponsors Robinson Helicopter , Dallas Avionics and Precision Aviation Group .