2026 SOAR Into STEM Spring Session 3: Aeronautical Engineering and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from the St. Louis area and neighboring counties participated in the third 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 3, led by Wings of Hope Education Programs Manager Lee Ann Nolte and a team of volunteer mentors, the students were introduced to a systematic approach to aircraft design through a series of activities. An outstanding presentation provided by a former Boeing Company engineer transformed theory into practice by using a current jet fighter program as an example of engineering and production excellence right here in St. Louis. 

The session began with a review of the Navigation and Communication concepts covered in the previous session. Also, the team of Boeing volunteer mentors led a review of the recent Artemis 2 moon orbiting mission as a practical application of aerospace engineering.

The session's guest speaker for the Engineering Session 3 was Tim Callihan, a Mechanical and Structural Engineer with extensive experience in structural analysis and project leadership at the Boeing Company. Following 35 years at Boeing primarily in the Hornet and Super Hornet programs, he currently serves as a Consulting Engineer for the U.S. Navy.

Callihan's presentation provided an overview of structural analysis using examples from his aerospace industry career and information provided to the students in their SOAR Into STEM Book of Knowledge. Topics included roles of mechanical and structural engineers, oral word problem exercises, review of Hornet and Super Hornet design and operational issues, fatigue detection and failure using household items and aircraft accident investigation procedures involving fatigue failures. Here we feature a portion of his presentation along with a visit from Callihan's friend and colleague, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Charles Williams, Jr. 

The main activity on the Aeronautical Engineering topic was the installation of an electrical system on a foam aircraft cutout. One objective was to mount a circuit to the aircraft so that two electric motors would run their propellers powered by a battery pack with a switch. Another objective was to add a circuit running navigation lights on the wingtips and tail controlled by a second switch off the same battery pack. Student teams worked on this project before moving on to the second half of the session.

Teams of students built and operated Pitsco Drone Infinity Kit quadcopters in the second half of the session. This project reinforced the structure and systems approaches to aeronautical engineering, emphasizing the use of lightweight materials, symmetry and propulsion in a successful uncrewed aircraft vehicle design. The students honed their skills by flying their drones through hoops and under obstacles while avoiding collisions (most of the time).

Before the end of the session, the students gathered in small groups to meet with their STEM mentors for a debrief and discussion of various topics, including higher education options and aviation career opportunities. These informal small group discussions provide a positive and affirming way to conclude each session.

2026 SOAR Into STEM Spring Session 2: Navigation and Communication

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from the St. Louis area and neighboring counties participated in the second 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 2, led by Wings of Hope Education Programs Manager Lee Ann Nolte and a team of volunteer mentors, the students were introduced to aircraft navigation and communication methods directly applicable to general aviation aircraft. Throughout the day, the students worked through increasingly complex navigation tasks, practiced communicating with air traffic control and honed their stick and rudder skills using flight simulators.

The session's guest speaker was SOAR Into STEM volunteer mentor Jeff Butler. He is currently an instructor with Envision Paragliding, flying a modern aircraft that both Da Vinci and the ancient Chinese would recognize. Launching from high elevations in western states like Oklahoma and Colorado, he has flown cross-country in an unpowered paraglider at altitudes over 18,000 feet. After his interactive discussion, Butler laid out his paraglider and explained how the airfoil and control system function during flight.

Volunteer mentor and instructor Cathy Babis was the next presenter, giving an overview of the navigation and communication equipment on general aviation aircraft. From the nearly obsolescent VOR to modern GPS, aviation navigation has progressed significantly over the last fifty years. Babis, a former air traffic controller, also gave real-life examples of communication between aircraft and air traffic control facilities as a valuable preview to the group activity coming later in the session. 

Just before lunch, the students were treated to a special guest visit by David Kwasny, owner of the Lancair experimental aircraft temporarily stored in the Wings of Hope hangar. He described the features of the aircraft and the impressive performance he gets on cross-country flights. He also encouraged the students to pursue big goals with a sense of humility and respect for each other. Great advice!

After lunch, the students rotated among four activity stations: Aeronautical Chart Reading, Flight Navigation Exercise, Flight Simulation and Air Traffic Control Communication. Here we feature a short description and highlights of each activity.

Aeronautical charts present a vast amount of information using unique symbology, and attempting to interpret them can be intimidating at first glance. In one of the activity stations, the students were given a list of items to locate on a Missouri Aeronautical Chart and note on their worksheet. The chart legend was "key" to this exercise, though some expert guidance by the current and former pilot mentors was helpful in understanding the terminology associated with the symbols on the charts. 

Another activity during the session was a navigation exercise that involved plotting a course using scale maps. A flight scenario was proposed, and the students prepared a planning worksheet containing direction, distance and flight time to various destinations. The SOAR Into STEM mentors were again available to assist in the process.

The students also applied their new skills at the desktop flight simulator station. Using the classic Cessna 172 display, they practiced the flight techniques learned in the previous session on the forces of flight and flight controls while employing basic navigation using compass headings and landmarks. 

A unique activity was also included in this session - an Air Traffic Control exercise using a large airport diagram laid out on the hangar floor. The students took turns playing the parts of aircraft and air traffic control communicating during operations around the airport in a scripted scenario. The aircraft were represented by RC Spheros as they landed, taxied and took off from the airport.

 

Before the end of the session, the students gathered in small groups to meet with their STEM mentors for a debrief and discussion of various topics, including higher education options and aviation career opportunities. These informal small group discussions provide a positive and affirming way to conclude each session.

The Aero Experience thanks Wings of Hope and all those who contribute to the SOAR Into STEM program. We will have continuing coverage of the upcoming sessions through April and May, culminating in a career fair and flight opportunities.