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!

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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

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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

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What does it take to lead one of aviation's most influential organizations? In this episode of Destination Aviation, I sit down with Curt Castagna, President & CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), for a conversation that goes far beyond titles and job descriptions.

Curt shares his journey through the aviation industry, the experiences that shaped his leadership style, and what it's like guiding NATA during a pivotal time for business aviation and general aviation. We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, the importance of advocacy, workforce development, and why aviation's future has never been brighter.

Of course, it wouldn't be Destination Aviation without a few laughs along the way. From stories about Curt's career to lighthearted moments throughout the conversation, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the person leading one of aviation's most respected organizations.

Whether you're an aviation professional, a pilot, or simply someone who loves aviation, you'll enjoy this candid conversation with one of the industry's most recognizable voices.

Tune in for a fun, insightful conversation with Curt Castagna—because, after all... we can stand ya!

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In 1956, a U.S. Air Force B-25 Mitchell bomber was flying a routine Cold War training mission when everything started to go wrong over western Pennsylvania.

Low on fuel and running out of options, the crew made a desperate decision to put the aircraft down in the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh. What followed was a dramatic emergency ditching that was witnessed by many—and initially thought to be a survivable crash.

But then something unexpected happened.

The aircraft that everyone saw go into the river was never recovered.

Despite immediate rescue efforts, Coast Guard operations, and Army Corps of Engineers searches, the wreckage of the B-25 simply vanished into the river system. Over time, questions began to mount. How does a medium bomber disappear in a relatively shallow waterway? Was it buried, destroyed, or something else entirely?

In this episode of Destination Aviation, we dig into one of the most unusual and unresolved aviation mysteries of the Cold War era. We follow the flight, the emergency landing, the chaotic recovery attempts, and the decades of speculation that followed—including modern search efforts that still haven’t fully answered the question.

What really happened to the Ghost Bomber?

And why, after all these years, is it still missing?

Listen now and decide for yourself.

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What started as a hectic pharmacy run with four kids turned into a mission to transform how goods move through communities.

In this episode of Destination Aviation, Jeffrey Miller sits down with Beth Flippo, founder and CEO of DEXA, one of the few FAA-certified drone carriers in the United States. Beth shares her journey from technology and defense systems to building a company at the forefront of autonomous aviation and last-mile logistics.

The conversation explores the realities of drone delivery, FAA certification, beyond visual line of sight operations, the future of autonomous flight, and how DEXA is helping local businesses compete in a rapidly changing retail landscape. Beth also discusses the challenges of building a highly regulated aviation company, balancing entrepreneurship and family, and why she believes autonomous aviation will reshape the future of commerce.

Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, drone operator, airport professional, or simply curious about the future of flight, this episode offers an inside look at one of the most rapidly evolving sectors in aviation.

Learn More About DEXA

🌐 Website: DEXA

Follow Beth & DEXA

📸 Beth Flippo on Instagram: @beth_flippo

📸 DEXA on Instagram: @flydexa

💼 DEXA on LinkedIn: DEXA LinkedIn

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In this episode of Destination Aviation, Jeff sits down with aviation executive Erin O'Donnell to talk about her incredible journey through one of the most dynamic industries in the world.

From a young age, Erin’s mother encouraged her to pursue a stable and meaningful career path — a push that eventually led her into aviation. Along the way, unexpected moments helped shape her career, including inspiration from none other than Sir Paul McCartney, who reminded her why aviation and travel matter to people around the world.

Erin shares stories from her time leading Chicago Midway Airport, often referred to as “the busiest square mile in aviation,” and what it takes to manage one of the busiest and most operationally complex airports in the world.

Today, Erin is helping shape the future of ground operations as President of HiSERV North America, a company focused on flexible and capital-efficient ground support equipment (GSE) leasing solutions for airlines, airports, and ground handlers across the United States and Canada. HiSERV is working to modernize aviation ground fleets and accelerate the transition toward next-generation and electric GSE technologies.

This episode is a conversation about leadership, reinvention, resilience, and the people who keep aviation moving every single day.

Learn more about HiSERV North America:
https://www.hiservgse.com

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In this episode of Destination Aviation, we sit down with Grant “Slider” Bishop — CEO of Silent Falcon UAS Technologies, decorated F-16 Wild Weasel combat veteran, former Squadron Commander, and aviation innovator with a career that spans military aviation, aerospace technology, AI, and unmanned systems.

Grant shares the incredible journey that first pulled him into aviation, from his early flying ambitions to combat missions and his transition into leading-edge aerospace technology. We dive into stories from his time flying the F-16, supporting NATO operations, training international fighter pilots, and what it was like operating in some of the most demanding combat environments in modern history.

We also explore how Grant transformed Silent Falcon into a global leader in AI-driven infrastructure intelligence and unmanned aircraft systems. From advanced remote sensing and predictive analytics to the future of airfield and transportation infrastructure assessment, this conversation offers a fascinating look at where aviation technology is heading next.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Destination Aviation without a few laughs along the way. Between serious discussions on combat aviation and emerging AI technology, Grant shares memorable stories, insights, and humor from a lifetime in aviation.

Learn more about Silent Falcon UAS Technologies: https://silentfalconuas.com/

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