2025 SOAR Into STEM Spring Session 4: Aircraft Mechanics

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from the St. Louis area and neighboring counties participated in the fourth of four spring sessions 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 4, led by Wings of Hope Education Programs Manager Lee Ann Nolte and a team of volunteer mentors, the students were introduced to tasks performed by aircraft mechanics using essential skills needed in the aviation industry: installing and removing Cleco fasteners, adjusting control cable tension, gapping and testing spark plugs, applying safety wire and inspecting aircraft for defects and corrosion. Here we show a sample of each activity as the groups rotated through each station.

The student teams participated in another engineering project - design and build a working catapult for competition at the end of the session. Awards were given for the winning teams!

SOAR Into STEM will continue on May 3 with Discovery Flight/Career Fair Day. The Aero Experience thanks Wings of Hope and everyone who contributed to another great SOAR Into STEM session.