The Aero Experience Week In Review: Inspiring the Next Generation to Pursue Aviation Careers

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience wraps up another week of activity with our Midwest Aviation partners, most recently promoting aviation and aerospace careers to students and young adults in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The examples featured here are just the first of many opportunities we will have this year to inspire youth interest in aviation. We thank the aviation industry sponsors who contributed to the success of these initial efforts.

The Aero Experience is a founding sponsor of the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation (GYAF), and we are working closely together on these and other youth aviation programs and events. The Foundation is completing the development of a V/R flight simulation lab that will be used later this year to provide basic flight orientation programs in conjunction with Young Eagle and Discovery Flight opportunities at Creve Coeur Airport. Here is a sneak peek at the simulator lab as it was being tested this week.

The GYAF participated in two outreach events this week. On Thursday, O'Fallon Township, IL High School hosted their Skilled Trades and Career Fair in the school's Panther Dome. The facility was packed with exhibitors offering career opportunity guidance on a wide range of technical careers, including the well-represented aviation industry. Over 1,000 students circulated among the exhibits over a four-hour period, and the GYAF encouraged everyone to explore aviation industry options and visit the Foundation to participate in the upcoming spring and summer programs.

   

On Friday, the GYAF attended the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) Quarterly Luncheon and Business Aviation Regional Showcase event at Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS). The event featured a lunch presentation introducing the new Dassault Falcon models by Regional Sales Director Byron Severson along with aviation industry and educational foundation exhibitors. Exhibiting along with the GYAF were The Aero Experience sponsors Gateway Flight Solutions, JetValues Jeremy, Wings of Hope, and representatives from the Red Tail Cadet Program with Elite Aviation to reinforce the need for youth aviation outreach. We are also happy to feature a group photo of Flight Science students from Parks College of St. Louis University and members of the Parks College Chapter of Women In Aviation. More coverage of the event will be coming soon on The Aero Experience.