Gary Powers Jr

EAA Chapter 54

St. Paul, MN. (Lake Elmo)

Gary Powers Jr. speaks to EAA Chapter 54
December 1, 2025
7 pm

The cover of Francis Gary Powers Jr's book The son of the famous U-2 pilot shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960 while flying a CIA spy mission will be speaking at the 54 Chapter House on Monday December 1. Gary Powers Jr., has written a book about his dad, Francis Gary Powers. He has lectured on the Cold War, U-2 Incident and the need to honor Cold War veterans, preserve Cold War history, and educate future generations about this time period for over 35 years. His book Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy, is intended to "set the record straight in regard to the fake news that surround the U-2 Incident and tarnished my father’s reputation," he told member Jeff Hove, who is arranging the presentation. "It gives an overview of what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a famous Cold War figure, my search for the truth after my father’s 1977 death in a helicopter when I was 12 years old, and how my research led to the USAF and CIA posthumously awarding my father the POW Medal / Director’s Medal and Silver Star in 2000 and 2012."

The event is not the December chapter program and is being funded at Hove's expense, so a donation is being requested by Hove from attendees. The presentation is expected to last one hour.

"My 1-hour program consists of showing a few short video clips and a PowerPoint presentation from a flash drive. During my talk I discuss the Cold War, U-2 Incident and what it was like to be a consultant on Spielberg’s 2015 Cold War thriller, /Bridge of Spies/, that depicts my father’s shootdown and eventual exchange with Pryor for Soviet spy Rudolph Able in 1962 at the Glienicker Bridge in Potsdam, Germany."

While registration is not required, doing so will aid in planning the evening. Please register here.

Directions: Lake Elmo Airport (21D) is located on Manning Avenue in Lake Elmo.

From the South: From I-94, drive North approximately 3 miles on Manning Avenue. Just past the 30th Street traffic light, the first gate entrance takes you past the Chapter House. To the left of the MAC garage, you'll find the viewing area.

From the North: Take the second airport entrance (after you go past the runway).

Flying in?

Airport Communications

CTAF/UNICOM:	123.075
WX AWOS-3:	120.075 (651-779-5949)
MINNEAPOLIS APPROACH:	121.2
MINNEAPOLIS DEPARTURE:	121.2
CLEARANCE DELIVERY:	118.625
WX ASOS at STP (10 nm SW):	118.35 (651-312-8888)
WX AWOS-3 at SGS (11 nm SW):	119.425 (651-457-8120)
WX AWOS-3 at RNH (16 nm NE):	120.0 (715-246-3202)
WX ASOS at MSP (17 nm SW):	PHONE 612-713-4174
WX AWOS-3 at ANE (18 nm NW):	PHONE 763-780-9025
WX AWOS-3 at OEO (20 nm N):	119.925 (715-294-3845)

Nearby radio navigation aids

VORradial/distance	VOR name	Freq	Var
MSPr068/17.3	MINNEAPOLIS VOR/DME	115.30	02E
GEPr106/23.7	GOPHER VORTAC	117.30	06E
FGTr026/26.0	FARMINGTON VORTAC	115.70	06E
FCMr067/27.1	FLYING CLOUD VOR/DME	117.70	01E

Runway 14/32

Dimensions:

3500 x 75 ft. / 1067 x 23 m

Surface:

asphalt, in good condition

Runway edge lights:

medium intensity

RUNWAY 14

RUNWAY 32

Latitude:

44-59.993048N

44-59.567783N

Longitude:

092-51.480550W

092-50.933050W

Elevation:

925.0 ft.

932.5 ft.

Traffic pattern:

left

Runway heading:

137 magnetic, 138 true

317 magnetic, 318 true

Markings:

nonprecision, in good condition

Visual slope indicator:

4-light PAPI on left (3.50 degrees glide path)

Runway end identifier lights:

yes

Touchdown point:

yes, no lights

Runway 4/22

Dimensions:

2496 x 75 ft. / 761 x 23 m

Surface:

asphalt, in fair condition

RUNWAY 4

RUNWAY 22

Latitude:

44-59.744760N

45-00.062903N

Longitude:

092-51.424532W

092-51.058273W

Elevation:

923.7 ft.

932.7 ft.