Capt. James R. Powers was hired by Piedmont Airlines on March 14, 1966. He was a First Officer on the Martin 404, F-27, FH 227, and Boeing 737 over a period from April 5, 1966 until March 15, 1973. He rose to the rank of Captain and was command pilot on the Nihon YS11A, FH-227, Boeing 737, Boeing 727, Boeing 767, and Boeing 757. In 1991, Capt. Powers was promoted to Check Airman Boeing 757/767 after Piedmont had merged with US Air. Capt. Powers retired from US Air on March 31, 1994. He was hired by US Air contract training shortly after retirement as a flight simulator instructor on the B737-200/300, and F28. In 1995, Capt. Powers was hired by EVA Airways located in Taipei, Taiwan. He held the title as Boeing 767/757 line Captain and flight simulator/line check instructor. Capt. Powers retired from EVA Airways on February 22, 2002. He has since held the position of Chief Instructor at Epic Flight Academy in New Smyrna Beach, FL and Check Instructor at the Aerosim Flight Academy in Sanford, FL.

On December 10, 2011, Capt. Powers was presented the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for over 50 years for his contribution to aviation safety.