South Tech High School Students Visit Gateway STL Chapter Army Aviation Heritage Foundation After Repainting Helicopter Tug

By Carmelo Turdo

Gateway STL Chapter Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (Gateway AAHF) hosted students and staff from South Tech High School during their visit to Creve Coeur Airport Wednesday. These two organizations have created a new and special bond over the last few months: students from the Auto Collision Repair program repainted the chapter's aircraft tug during the winter maintenance period in preparation for the current ride and airshow season. Now it was time to view their handiwork at the Gateway AAHF hangar where it will serve alongside the Huey, Cobra and Kiowa helicopters to preserve and promote the legacy of Army Aviation.

By Alexis Noel

Gateway AAHF member and The Aero Experience contributor Alexis Noel was instrumental in making the connection and organizing the recent airport visit to celebrate the rededication of the tug to service.  Her mother is on the faculty in the Cosmetology program, and contacts were made to request assistance with the tug project. 

"The school has an automotive department that has a very impressive shop," Noel told The Aero Experience. "I reached out to the teacher, Mr. Ken Neuman, and they said they would love to work on the tug!" Following completion of the work, plans were made for the field trip to Creve Coeur Airport. Noel coordinated with the Gateway AAHF, Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation and Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, to provide a range of activities for the students.

South Tech High School offers career and technical education programs that run concurrent with traditional academic courses. Students apply to these programs and must maintain academic standards to continue, all the while earning industry certifications and college credit in their respective fields. South Tech High School works with industry leaders to ensure the training is current and the facility is state-of-the-art. Contact South Tech High School for more information on their programs and student eligibility for the upcoming school year.

The Aero Experience thanks South Tech High School and Gateway AAHF for all they do for our community, and we look forward to featuring them in future posts.