Dan Cooper… Who B. That?

His name wasn't D.B. Cooper. At least... probably not.

In 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper boarded Northwest Orient Flight 305 in Portland, headed for Seattle—and became part of one of aviation's most enduring mysteries.

In this episode of Destination Aviation, we're diving into the airplane, the hijacking, the infamous jump, the money, the clues, and the question that still hasn't been answered more than half a century later:

Who was Dan Cooper... and what happened to him?

And for my aviation friends thinking, “Oh great, another D.B. Cooper story...” 😄 Stick around until the end. I've got a lesser-known aviation story involving two guys, a small airplane, and one question:

How long can you keep an airplane flying without landing?

How about almost two months?

Also, I've been experimenting with some new audio features in this episode. If you hear sound effects, airplane noises, or dramatic transitions... yes, I meant to do that. 😄 Love it? Hate it? Want more? Want me to knock it off? Let me know!

Connect with us on Instagram:

dapodcast85/

TikTok:

Destination Aviation (@dapodcast85) | TikTok

YouTube:

@DestinationAviationpodcast

Drop us a line at dapodcast85@gmail.com if you have your own plane tales

Website:

www.destinationaviation.org

Support the show

The title may be tongue-in-cheek, but the conversation is all about the future of private aviation.

In Episode 79 of Destination Aviation, I sit down with Alan Walsh, President & CEO of Sentient Jet, to discuss how technology is reshaping the private aviation industry while keeping the customer experience at the center of it all.

We explore Sentient Jet's pioneering role as the inventor of the jet card, how digital tools like app-based and text-to-book services are changing the way travelers access private aviation, and why the human touch remains just as important as ever.

We also discuss the growing demand surrounding major global events like the World Cup, the complexity of managing multi-leg private jet itineraries, and what today's travelers value most: reliability, flexibility, and control.

Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, an industry professional, or simply curious about the future of private air travel, this episode offers an inside look at one of the industry's most recognized brands and the leadership helping shape its next chapter.

In this episode:

• The evolution of the jet card
• Technology's impact on private aviation
• Managing travel for major global events
• The balance between innovation and personalized service
• Where private aviation is headed next

If you enjoy the conversation, be sure to subscribe to Destination Aviation, leave a review, and share the episode with a fellow aviation enthusiast.

Thanks for listening, and as always, blue skies!

The Original Private Jet Card Program | Sentient Jet

Connect with us on Instagram:

Instagram

TikTok:

Destination Aviation (@dapodcast85) | TikTok

YouTube:

Destination Aviation - YouTube

Drop us a line at dapodcast85@gmail.com if you have your own plane tales

Website:

Destination Aviation - Destination Aviation

Support the show

In this episode of Destination Aviation, we sit down with entrepreneur Andy Ellwood to explore an incredible journey that spans private aviation, Silicon Valley, and the future of grocery shopping. Andy shares how he went from selling private jets for Warren Buffett to building startups acquired by Facebook and Google, before setting his sights on solving one of the biggest challenges facing families today—making grocery shopping smarter, more transparent, and more affordable.

Along the way, Andy opens up about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including overcoming personal tragedy, rebuilding after losing a key investor, and finding purpose through innovation. As the founder of Stretch, he's leveraging technology to help consumers make better purchasing decisions while creating lasting value for retailers and families alike.

This conversation isn't just about aviation or grocery stores—it's about recognizing opportunities, embracing change, and having the courage to pursue ideas that can make a real difference.

Whether you're an aviator, entrepreneur, or simply someone who enjoys hearing stories of resilience and innovation, this is an episode that offers plenty of food for thought.

Download Andy's Stretch app by searching "Stretch" in your app store

Connect with us on Instagram:

Instagram

TikTok:

Destination Aviation (@dapodcast85) | TikTok

YouTube:

Destination Aviation - YouTube

Drop us a line at dapodcast85@gmail.com if you have your own plane tales

Website:

Destination Aviation - Destination Aviation

Support the show