Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation Receives Bell OH-58C Kiowa Helicopter for STEM Program

By Carmelo Turdo

2020 saw the founding and growth of the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation, located at Creve Coeur Airport. During the year, the foundation established itself as a Missouri 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation to aviation. Current programs include flight simulation lab, 3-axis flight demonstrator, F-4 Phantom II jet fighter mobile cockpit display and Bell OH-58C Kiowa currently being prepared for flight this spring. More exhibits, aerospace education activities and career counseling services will be available later this year. One specific long-term project has taken a big step forward recently: the arrival of a second OH-58C helicopter made available through the GSA's Surplus Property Program. The year-long application process for eligibility to receive surplus property was completed in early January, and the foundation immediately applied for, and received, the helicopter. It arrived on Wednesday of last week, and is now in the foundation's hangar facility. The helicopter will be restored to display condition and used in future STEM programs. This on-going story will be included in our regular updates. The Aero Experience is proud to support the work of the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation as a media sponsor.