Students Receive Training and Mentorship from St. Louis Area Aviation Service Providers

By Carmelo Turdo

The St. Louis aviation community continues to support the next generation of college students and young adults currently working toward careers in the aviation and aerospace fields. Last week alone, there were four such examples of student involvement, mentoring, and educator orientation, including the SOAR Into STEM Career Fair held at Wings of Hope and the Soaring Into Aviation K-12 educator professional development day held at St. Louis Regional Airport. Here we recognize two additional examples of how student interaction with industry professionals enhances the learning experience and raises the quality standards of the workforce.

On Thursday, members of the St. Louis University Flying Billikens met with Gateway Flight Training's CFII Ann McLoughlin and Operations Manager Brian Borton for a detailed review of the Beechcraft Sundowner, similar to the one they will encounter for the preflight inspection competition at the NIFA SAFECON nationals this week. During the review session, McLaughlin and Borton pointed out the aircraft's unique design features and components so the students will be able to recognize anything out of place. We will post the results of the competition when they are available.

On Friday, the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) held a Student Mentorship and Town Hall Meeting in the Aero Charter hangar at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. GSLBAA Board members Guy Matthews and Keith Mueller welcomed those interested in becoming Student members, a status that requires being a high school student at last sixteen years old or pursuing a bachelor's degree in an aviation field. The session covered the academic and professional opportunities currently available in the aviation and aerospace industry and GSLBAA events and programs that help student members achieve their career goals. As an added bonus, an Aero Charter pilot was available to show off a Citation CJ2 jet and answer questions about the business aviation field.

The Aero Experience thanks everyone involved in the recent events and outreach programs made possible by the generous support and sponsorship of the St. Louis area aviation community. We look forward to providing more coverage of more student/mentor opportunities coming this summer.