Youth Experience Flight During Aviation Summer Camp

By Carmelo Turdo

A group of middle school students experienced flight and visited St. Louis Downtown Airport facilities Friday while attending the annual Ranken Technical College Adventure Academy summer camp.  Fifteen students and their counselors arrived at the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum around 10am and prepared to take their Young Eagle Flights in general aviation aircraft.  The four aircraft, pilots and ground crews were provided by members of EAA Chapter 64, also based at the airport.  Over the next several hours, the students flew over the St. Louis riverfront and learned about aircraft design and construction while touring the museum between flights.  After lunch, the students visited the air traffic control tower and airport fire station.

There were some unique aspects of Friday's activities.  Several students were treated to flights in John and Elizabeth Schaefer's Cessna 305A/O-1 Bird Dog two-seat observation aircraft.  Some students were flown in the Cessna 172 provided by a joint venture between AeroCareers and Wings of Hope for the purpose of promoting aviation through flight experiences.  The Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum, host to Young Eagle Flights throughout the year, provided exhibits of aircraft, engines, training equipment and even a restored F-4 Phantom II cockpit to enhance the learning experience.  

Special recognition goes to EAA Chapter 64 Young Eagles Coordinator, Bob McDaniel, for yet another safe and enjoyable Young Eagles event.