2026 SOAR Into STEM Fall 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 Fall 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. Among the mentor corps are current and retired engineers from the Boeing Company who guided the students through their build projects.

The session's guest speaker was Juan Cajigas, MQ-25 Chief Engineer at the Boeing Company in St. Louis. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and has risen through the engineering and management ranks at Boeing over the last twelve years. His experience in propulsion technology and uncrewed aerial systems has led him to his current position in the MQ-25 program.

Along with an introduction to the technical design and project management aspects of developing the Navy's new uncrewed, autonomous aircraft, Juan Cajigas also emphasized the importance of having a positive attitude and work/life balance in an otherwise stress-filled career path. This process includes taking on challenges and professional advancement opportunities while also maintaining healthy relationships and personal satisfaction with daily life. The message is summed up in these remaining slides.

One student activity illustrating 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. Half of the students worked on this project before switching places to the Drone station.

Another group of students built and operated Pitsco Drone Infinity Kit quadcopters. 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 while avoiding collisions (most of the time).

Props and Pistons Event Held at New Spirit Sky Club Raises Funds for Wings of Hope

By Carmelo Turdo

The newly established Spirit Sky Club held their first public event on Saturday. The Props and Pistons Car & Plane Fly-In, a fundraiser for neighboring Wings of Hope humanitarian aviation programs, featured a variety of classic cars, business aircraft, food trucks and cosplay entertainers. The Aero Experience was on site covering the Wings of Hope SOAR Into STEM Fall Session 2, and we joined the students for a brief walk-through of the event. Featured here are a Falcon 900, Cirrus Vision Jet and Lancair Columbia The New Spirit of St. Louis on the adjoining apron as well as the main display area at the Spirit Sky Club complex.