Thunder Over Louisville: Fat Albert Makes Waves over the Riverfront

By The Aero Experience Team

Thunder Over Louisville featured the sixth appearance of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron of 2014.  Following an absence of military participation in airshows for much of 2013, airshow fans got a full dose of naval airpower in Louisville last weekend.  A popular part of the Blue Angels performance is the appearance of the U.S. Marine Corps C-130T Hercules support aircraft, known as Fat Albert.  Flown by Captain A.J. Harrell, Major Mike Van Wyk, and Captain Dusty Cook, the venerable cargo aircraft made several passes toward the Louisville riverfront. The dirty pass and maximum effort climb over the city were most impressive. The Aero Experience was there to capture the low passes over Louisville, and we bring to you our view of Fat Albert's demonstration.





Sightings: Marine Super Stallion Makes Stop at St. Louis Downtown Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

Earlier this month a U.S. Marine CH-53E Super Stallion stopped at St. Louis Downtown Airport on its way back to its base in the northeast.  The weather closed in, and shortly after takeoff it returned to wait out the storms another day. The crew was very courteous, but strictly business, as they prepared to fly another leg of the cross-country fight. The Marines will be retiring the CH-53E models and will receive new CH-53Ks in the coming years. In the meantime, the Super Stallions are aging quickly under the strain of combat, and replacements will be a welcome site, maybe on the next visit!  Special thanks to the crew and Jet Aviation for another unique aero experience.

         

Guest Post: Paul Voorhees, President of EAA Chapter 64 and St. Louis Aerospace Institute Faculty Member

By Paul Voorhees

My name is Paul Voorhees. In 1986, I started my career as a Phantom Phixer in the last active-duty squadron of RF-4B Phantom II jets in the Marine Corps, VMFP-3. Since then, I earned my A&P/IA and Private Pilot Certificates.  I have lived in eight different states, from coast to coast, but have put my roots here in St. Louis. I was recently given the honor of being elected President of EAA Chapter 64 based at St. Louis Downtown Airport (http://eaa64.org/).

It is my goal  to reach out to the various groups of aviation enthusiasts in the St. Louis metro area this year, and I plan to attend as many meetings of the other EAA chapters and any other aviation group in the area that will have me.  I am also an instructor at the St. Louis Aerospace Institute, teaching aircraft metal structures, precision measurement and blue print reading. Initially planned as a training program for prospective Boeing Company assembly workers, the program has gained additional partners and has blossomed into an aerospace production training center featuring these current hands-on courses: Mechanical Blueprint Reading, Basic Aerospace SMAR Training, Intermediate Aerospace SMAR Training, Aerospace Assembly: Electrical, Mechanical and Composites. A Certificate of Specialization in Skilled Trades Industrial Occupations Technology is available upon completion of required curriculum.  I also teach at Gateway S.T.E.M. School in their A&P program.  For more information about the St. Louis Aerospace Institute, please visit http://workforcesolutions.stlcc.edu/aerospace-institute/.  

I would like to take this opportunity to get the word out about the exciting new workshops we are developing at the College. They are for anyone interested in building an airplane. They will cover blue print reading, fastener layout, aviation fastener installation, electrical and mechanical installations, safety wire techniques, and composite lay up and repairs. For more information on these workshops, please contact me at pvoorhees@stlcc.edu.

St. Louis is a great aviation town with a rich history. I have not found a better group of "plane/wing nuts" then can be found here.  I feel that there are a vast amount of activities missed because the word didn't get out, which is why I am very thankful to The Aero Experience team for their efforts to promote Midwest aviation.  I like to joke that I can't afford a nice camera, so I have to take Carmelo with me. The truth is, I like Carmelo and what The Aero Experience does for the aviation community. 

I hope to see you all at an aviation event soon!

Be sure to visit the St. Louis Aerospace Institute Open House today from 1-4pm!

  

Happy Birthday, United States Marine Corps

By Carmelo Turdo

Happy birthday, United States Marine Corps!  The excerpt below from The United States Marine Corps website describes the founding of the Marines November 10, 1775:

1775: Founding of the Marine Corps

"A legacy is born.  During the American Revolution, many important political discussions took place in the inns and taverns of Philadelphia, including the founding of the Marine Corps.

"A committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore.

"The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines.  As the first order of business, Samuel Nicholas became Commandant of the newly formed Marines. Tun Tavern’s owner and popular patriot, Robert Mullan, became his first captain and recruiter. They began gathering support and were ready for action by early 1776.

"Each year, the Marine Corps marks November 10th with a celebration of the brave spirit which compelled these men and thousands since to defend our country as United States Marines."