In this episode of Destination Aviation, we sit down with Gary Powers Jr.—author, public speaker, and Cold War historian—who has dedicated his life to preserving the truth about his father’s legacy.

Carrying forward one of the most debated stories of the Cold War, Gary shares how his mission has been to correct decades of misinformation and ensure the real story is told: that his father did not cooperate with the USSR while in captivity.

We explore Gary’s journey from discovering deeply personal letters his father wrote while imprisoned in the Soviet Union, to understanding the global tension surrounding the incident—including the dramatic prisoner exchange that brought his father home. He also reflects on the surreal experience of seeing his father portrayed on screen by Lee Majors, and his own role as a consultant on Steven Spielberg’s Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks.

Gary has authored eight books on the subject, with a new release coming this May, and continues to educate audiences through his work and as the founder of a Cold War museum near Washington, D.C.

This is a powerful conversation about history, legacy, and one son’s commitment to setting the record straight.

🔗 Learn more, book Gary to speak, or explore his books: https://garypowers.com/

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In this episode of Destination Aviation, we sit down with entrepreneur and innovator Miles Spencer for a conversation that lives at the intersection of technology, memory, and legacy.

Miles is the co-founder and CEO of Reflekta, a groundbreaking “soul tech” platform designed to preserve the voices, stories, and personalities of loved ones—allowing future generations to interact with dynamic, AI-driven versions of those who have passed. Built from a deeply personal desire to have “one more conversation” with family, Reflekta is redefining how we think about memory, grief, and connection across time.

With a career spanning media, entrepreneurship, and storytelling—including his time as co-host of PBS’s MoneyHunt—Miles has long explored the power of narrative. Today, he’s pushing boundaries by turning memories into living, interactive legacies that can endure for generations.

But this conversation goes beyond technology.

We also dive into Miles’ passion for aviation and adventure, including his parachuting experiences and his upcoming jump over Normandy—an event honoring the courage and sacrifice of Allied troops from World War II. Set against one of history’s most meaningful backdrops, this jump reflects both remembrance and the idea that legacy is something we actively carry forward.

From the skies over Normandy to the future of artificial intelligence, this episode explores a powerful question:

What does it really mean to be remembered?

Miles Spencer:

The Shoebox Goes Digital: Modern Tools for Memory Capture | Reflekta - Miles to Go.

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In this episode of Destination Aviation, we sit down with Jennifer C. Rykaczewski, the driving force behind Affordable Skies.

Jennifer and her team are focused on something that affects everyone: making sure flying remains within reach for everyday travelers. As ticket prices fluctuate and costs continue to rise, Affordable Skies is working to advocate for greater transparency, fairness, and affordability across the commercial aviation landscape.

Through her efforts, Jennifer is shining a light on the real financial pressures facing passengers today, while pushing for solutions that help keep air travel accessible for families, communities, and future generations.

In this conversation, we dig into what’s driving the cost of flying, why affordability matters now more than ever, and what’s at stake if access to air travel begins to slip away. Because this isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about preserving connectivity, opportunity, and economic mobility.

If you’ve ever questioned where the cost of flying is headed—and whether it will remain accessible to the average traveler—this episode offers a timely and important perspective on keeping the skies open to all.

Affordable Skies:

Affordable Skies | Consumer Advocacy Group

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