Destination Aviation

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 sty...

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 b...

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 o...

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, includ...

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 flyin...

In this episode of Destination Aviation , Jeff sits down with two experienced A-10 Warthog pilots, Joel Bier and Andrew Tenenbaum, for an in-depth conversation about one of the most iconic and controversial aircraft ever built. From combat search and rescue missions in Afghanistan to close air support in some of the most dangerous environments on earth, Joel and Andy share firsthand stories from t...

In this episode of Destination Aviation , we sit down with Mark Guiod for a wide-ranging conversation that spans more than four decades in aviation—from frontline air traffic control to senior FAA leadership and now into the future of aviation innovation. Mark currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Aviation 2.0 LLC ( www.av2point0.com ) , where he is focused on advancing digital remote tow...

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 c...

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-d...

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 affo...

In this gripping episode of Destination Aviation , we sit down with author Kevin Hazzard to explore his latest book, No One’s Coming —a real-life aviation thriller that puts you in the middle of one of the most daring air medical rescue missions in history. Set against the backdrop of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the story follows a high-stakes race against time as two infected American aid workers mu...

In this special episode of Destination Aviation , Jeff takes you behind the scenes of his very first vlog — now live on our YouTube channel. The journey starts briefly in Florida at the ACI-NA CEO meeting, where aviation leaders from across the country gathered to talk airports, innovation, and the future of our industry. From there, Jeff heads west to the desert for the high-energy, jet-fueled ex...

Why do billions of dollars in Gulf tourism and real estate marketing often fail to connect with American travelers? In this episode of Destination Aviation , Jeff sits down with Rihab Abouzaki , a GCC–US advertising strategist who has spent more than two decades helping tourism boards, luxury travel brands, and real estate developers bridge the gap between the Middle East and Western audiences. Wi...

What if flying didn’t have to feel complicated? In this episode of Destination Aviation , host Jeff Miller sits down with Nate Thuli, President of Airhart Aeronautics, to talk about the future of personal flight. Nate brings a rare mix of experience to the conversation, from his time in the U.S. Air Force to startup leadership and consumer technology innovation. Together, they unpack how cockpit c...

In this episode of Destination Aviation , we sit down with George Sakas of Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) to talk about a career path that’s anything but ordinary. George shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Army—where he drove tanks—to finding his way into aviation and ultimately becoming the Director of Economic Development & Administrative Services at one of the nation’s busiest ge...

As 2025 comes to a close, this episode of Destination Aviation takes a step back — not just to reflect on the year, but to remember the airports that no longer appear on today’s charts. After a few opening updates and some behind-the-scenes channel news, the conversation shifts into a journey through the ghosts of aviation — airfields that once launched legends, trained generations of pilots, and...

In this episode of Destination Aviation , Jeff sits down with Sean White, Executive Vice President of FBO Development at Jet Access, whose career traces an extraordinary arc from the halls of Washington to the heart of general aviation. Before taking on leadership roles in FBO development, Sean spent nearly a decade in federal politics and government service—including positions at the White House,...

In this episode, Look for the Arrow—Fuel Here, Think Safety Everywhere , Jeff sits down with Patrick Moylan , Chief Safety and Quality Officer at West Star Aviation . Patrick brings more than 25 years of aviation safety and operational leadership experience, but his connection to “safety indicators” began long before his aviation career even took off—his uncle invented the little arrow on your car...

In this episode of Destination Aviation , we sit down with Kyle Lewis , Regional Manager with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) . When flight disruptions grounded our original plans, we didn’t let that stop us — we fired up the mics from the Midway Airport parking garage instead. Kyle shares sharp insights on today’s aviation landscape, from pilot advocacy to industry trends, along...

In this episode of Destination Aviation , host Jeff Miller sits down with Maria Romanick, A.A.E. , Operations and Maintenance Manager at Minot International Airport — and a pilot with a serious sense of adventure. Maria shares stories from her time keeping things running smoothly on the airfield, offers smart advice for those looking to break into airport operations, and reflects on her aviation r...

In this special on-location episode, host Jeff Miller takes listeners from the buzz of the NBAA-BACE convention floor in Las Vegas to the quiet grass fields where American aviation first took flight. The debate has lingered for more than a century: Which airport can truly claim to be the oldest in the United States? From the Wright Brothers’ 1909 training grounds at College Park, Maryland, to Pear...

What happens when a pilot who’s flown everything from C-17s to United Airlines jets decides to reinvent how flight instructors teach? In this episode of Destination Aviation , Jeff Miller sits down with Nate Ehlers — founder of Backseat Pilot, United Airlines pilot, CFI, and Air Force Reserve instructor — to talk about his journey through every corner of aviation training: civilian, regional, mili...

In this episode of Destination Aviation , we head to Alaska — the Last Frontier — to explore its deep connection with aviation. From stories on the road to the daring history of bush pilots, we scratch the surface of how flying became Alaska’s lifeline. Join us as we share adventures, insights, and a glimpse into the skies where airplanes aren’t just transportation — they’re survival.  Connect wit...

Join us for a moving and insightful conversation with Anthony Dyer, retired USAF Tech Sergeant and author of Moon Child: The Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator . In this episode, Anthony shares: His journey from the Appalachian Mountains to flying elite combat missions in some of the world's most volatile zones. The emotional realities of military life—including the per...

Episode 53 of Destination Aviation brings aviation engineer Kevin Spitz of Mead & Hunt on the mic . Kevin and I have a long-running, joking back-and-forth, so if you’re expecting a dry engineering lecture… think again. We dig into his role as an aviation engineer, the challenges and creativity that go into airport projects, and of course share a few laughs along the way. Whether you’re in the...