2024 SOAR Into STEM Fall Session 4: Mechanics and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from St. Louis area districts, private schools and homeschools participated in the fourth fall session of the Wings of Hope SOAR Into STEM Program on Saturday. SOAR Into STEM provides opportunities to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills in the context of the Wings of Hope humanitarian aviation mission. Topics covered include Airplane Basics, Mechanics and Engineering, Navigation and Communication and Drone/Flight Opportunities.

In Session Four, led by Wings of Hope Education Programs Manager Lee Ann Nolte and a team of volunteer mentors, the students were introduced to aircraft mechanics and drone flying, essential skills in the current and future aviation industry. The students opened the session with group presentations based on a review of the previous week's topics. Guest speaker, humanitarian pilot and A&P/IA Edward Schertz, provided insights into flying and maintaining an aircraft in austere environments. The students learned practical shop skills - handling Cleco fasteners, adjusting control cable tension, gapping and testing spark plugs and applying safety wire. 

The students learned to operate the Tello app-based, camera-equipped quadcopters used to  demonstrate the flight characteristics of most small UAVs. Once internet communication with the UAVs was established, a buzzing swarm took to the air. After a little practice, most of the students were landing the quadcopters on their pads and maneuvering through the hoops of an obstacle course.

The 2024 Fall SOAR Into STEM Session will conclude with a Career Fair and Young Eagle/Eagle Flight opportunities planned for this Saturday at Wings of Hope. The Aero Experience thanks everyone involved in making this session very successful!