The airborne public safety community gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from July 13 to 17 for APSCON and APSCON Unmanned 2026. It marked the first time the Airborne Public Safety Association’s annual conference and exposition had been held in the south Florida city.

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The event continued a tradition that began with the association’s inaugural gathering in 1971. More than five decades later, the conference brings together public safety pilots, tactical flight officers, maintenance personnel, unit managers, drone operators, and industry representatives.

Held at the Broward County Convention Center, the conference combined separate manned and unmanned educational programs with a shared exhibit hall, once again bringing the increasingly connected segments of public safety aviation together in one location.

Brent Bundy Photo

Brent Bundy Photo

Brent Bundy Photo

Brent Bundy Photo

Broward County Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony welcomed attendees and opened the event before the ceremonial ribbon cutting on Wednesday evening. The hall remained open through Friday afternoon, giving visitors an opportunity to examine the latest aircraft, mission equipment, maintenance services, and operational technology available to public safety aviation agencies.

Twelve helicopters were displayed on the convention center floor, representing a cross-section of law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical services, and search-and-rescue operations. Surrounding the aircraft were more than 150 exhibitors showcasing infrared sensors, searchlights, digital mapping platforms, communications equipment, flight helmets, maintenance tools, video-downlink systems, and other products developed for public safety operations.

Education is always a key focus of APSCON. The week featured an extensive selection of multi-day courses, individual classes, and operational forums. Topics covered aviation safety, tactical operations, leadership, technology, unit management, aircraft maintenance, and the continued integration of uncrewed aircraft into public safety missions.

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Throughout the week, Jon Gray and Jack Schonely — co-hosts of The Hangar Z Podcast — taught classes, participated in industry forums, and recorded podcasts at the Vertical Valor Plus booth. Their sessions drew on decades of experience in airborne law enforcement and tactical flight operations.

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APSCON Unmanned again provided instruction for agencies developing or expanding drone programs. Its courses and forums addressed subjects ranging from remote-pilot proficiency and tactical deployment to program management and the coordination of crewed and uncrewed aircraft. The convention hall also hosted Tech-Talk presentations on Thursday and Friday, allowing manufacturers and service providers to explain new products and capabilities in smaller, more interactive settings.

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Two evening award ceremonies recognized standout work across the airborne public safety community. The 31st annual Teledyne FLIR Vision Awards were held Thursday night, honoring aviation units for exceptional uses of thermal imaging during pursuits, searches, rescues, and other public safety missions. The Tulsa Police Department Air Support Unit earned first-place honors.

Brent Bundy Photo

The APSA Awards followed Friday evening, recognizing individuals and organizations for outstanding service, leadership, safety, and contributions to airborne public safety. The ceremony helped close a week that included numerous sponsored receptions, gatherings, and after-hours events that kept the networking going well beyond the daily conference schedule.

The Fort Lauderdale event followed a well-attended 2025 conference in Phoenix, which featured 149 exhibitors and nine helicopters. This year’s show grew to more than 150 exhibitors and 12 aircraft, while preliminary attendance surpassed each of the previous five conferences.

APSCON and APSCON Unmanned will return in 2027, moving west to Reno, Nevada, from July 19 to 23.