Red Tail Cadets Take Field Trip to Creve Coeur Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

The Red Tail Cadets closed out their third week of flight training at Elite Aviation with a field trip to Creve Coeur Airport. Following three full days of flight training and ground school, the Cadets took a few hours on Wednesday afternoon to visit three educational organizations on the field: Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation, Gateway Chapter of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum, and the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum. Each destination offered a unique perspective on the development of aviation over the decades. Here we feature the highlights of each tour.

Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation

The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation was formed to inspire youth interest in aviation. This is accomplished by providing the "one event experience" that can change a young person's life. Currently, the Foundation offers the F-4 cockpit mobile exhibit for use at local and regional events, and future attractions will include virtual reality flight simulation and a flying Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter.

Gateway Chapter of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum

The Foundation provides flight opportunities in the Vietnam-era UH-1H Huey and AH-1F Cobra and the static display of their OH-58 Kiowa at airshows and aviation events around the country. Special thanks to pilot Bill MacIntire for hosting the Cadets and allowing them access to the helicopters!

Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum

The museum restores, preserves and flies antique and vintage aircraft for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations. The collection includes aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s, some of which are the sole remaining example of the type or have been used in movies and TV commercials. Aircraft from the museum can be seen at special events, such as the American Waco Club Fly-In, held annually at the airport. Special thanks to Albert Stix who led the tour and shared his extensive experience with the aircraft in the collection.