Red Tail Cadets Make Cross-Country Training Flight from St. Louis to Jefferson City and Moberly, MO

By Carmelo Turdo

The Class of 2025 Red Tail Cadets recently reached a new milestone: cross-country flight training. Six Cadets and Elite Aviation CFIs in their Cessna 172S Skyhawks, along with The Aero Experience and Elite Aviation owners John and Donna Tipton in the fleet Piper Turbo Saratoga, departed from Spirit of St. Louis Airport July 14 for their first destination - Jefferson City Memorial Airport. The second stop on the trip was Omar N. Bradley Regional Airport in Moberly, MO before returning to St. Louis. The Red Tail Cadets are now more than halfway through the flight training portion of the program, though they will continue to participate as Cadet Ambassadors for years to come.

The six high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were inducted into the current class of Red Tail Cadets during a ceremony held on June 5 at Elite Aviation. The event marked the official start of the practical aviation and life skills training sessions that will be held throughout the summer. The program provides the means for the Cadets to explore the aviation field as a part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. It is hoped that this program will be launched in cities across the country in the future.

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class of 2025 (Class V) L-R: Attiona Umana, Yelena Dominguez-Stremmel, Ameria Turner, Laila Williams, Jenae Patterson and Mackenzie Mansaray

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The Cadets, CFIs and Elite Aviation staff assembled for the pre-flight briefing and flight planning session at 8:00 A.M. on flight day. The overcast skies and thunderstorms across Missouri and Illinois delayed the flight by about three hours. The Cadets and their instructors used the extra time to delve into more detail of the flight planning process, including adding alternate routes, adjusting fuel management techniques, reconsidering weight and balance and practicing non-towered airport communication. 

Finally, the weather cleared sufficiently to launch the seven aircraft westward. Once on the ground, everyone gathered for lunch at The Landing Zone restaurant where we enjoyed their amazing food and hospitality.

Following lunch and some free ice cream from Jefferson City Flying Service, the Cadets continued on to Omar N. Bradley Airport in Moberly, MO for additional navigation training and pattern work in a non-towered environment. Here we have some views of the pre-flight and departure of the six Skyhawks along with in-flight video from four Cadets.

 

The Aero Experience thanks the Red Tail Cadets, Elite Aviation and everyone who made this cross-country adventure possible. Check back soon for the Class of 2025 Red Tail Cadet graduation ceremony coming later this summer.