Red Tail Cadets Make Cross-Country Flight from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau and Sikeston for Day of Training and Fun

By Carmelo Turdo

The Class of 2022 Red Tail Cadets recently reached a new milestone: cross-country flight training. The exercise was one of technical training but also one of logistics. Six Cadets with six CFIs in six Cessna 172S Skyhawks departed from Elite Aviation at Spirit of St. Louis Airport July 20 for their first destination - Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. The second stop on the trip was nearby Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport before returning to St. Louis. The Aero Experience was with the Cadets, accompanying them on the trip and providing our coverage of the day's activities

The five high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were inducted into the current class of Red Tail Cadets during a ceremony held on April 21 at Elite Aviation. The event marked the official start of the practical aviation and life skills training sessions that have been held throughout the summer. The program provides the means for the Cadets to explore the aviation field as a part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. It is hoped that this program will be launched in cities across the country in the future.

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class of 2022 with Elite Aviation owners John and Donna Tipton (L-R):

Grace Ford, Micah Riggs, Jalen Reynolds, Tyrese Walker, and Anyah Brown     

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program  is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

A new development for this second year of the Red Tail Cadet Program is the Captain Ruth Mann Scholarship, named for Brandon Mann's mother who was a pioneering commercial pilot who learned to fly in the early 1960s. She earned her Commercial, CFI and ATP certificates and flew corporate executives as well as mercy medical missions from rural communities. Class of 2021 Red Tail Cadet D.J. Beal was chosen as the Captain Ruth Mann Honor Cadet and has received a scholarship towards the achievement of his Private Pilot Certificate. Along with the flight training opportunity, Cadet Beal was along for this flight to mentor the new class of Cadets. 

Spirit of St. Louis Airport to Cape Girardeau, MO Regional Airport

The day began with pre-flight briefing and flight planning session at Elite Aviation. Weight and balance became an issue for our crew - CFI Connor Stuart and Cadet Tyrese Walker - when they learned that they would have a passenger in the back seat on a hot, humid day with full fuel tanks. With some adjustments within the plane's flight performance envelope and re-positioning as Tail-End Charlie, we were ready for takeoff.

Southeast Missouri State University Aviation Department Briefing

Upon arrival, the cadets were met by Cape Girardeau Regional Airport Manager Katrina Amos and Southeast Missouri State University Director of Aviation Operations Ken Jackson as they departed the airport for the university. During their visit, the Cadets were given briefings on the Professional Pilot Program by Ground School Instructor Miranda Sullivan and Dr. Brad Deken, Chair of Engineering and Technology. They provided valuable information about the Professional Pilot Program and campus life at Southeast Missouri State University. 

Cape Girardeau, MO Regional Airport to Sikeston, MO Memorial Municipal Airport

The cadets and their CFIs then took off for Sikeston, MO Memorial Municipal Airport that just happens to be located by the Midwest's popular hundred-dollar hamburger venue - Lambert's Cafe, Home of Throwed Rolls! We were met by Elite Aviation owners John and Donna Tipton who were waiting for us after flying down from St. Louis in the flight school's Turbo Saratoga.

Sikeston, MO Memorial Municipal Airport to Spirit of St. Louis Airport

As the afternoon rolled on, it was time to return to Elite Aviation. We all boarded the aircraft with a little more weight to balance. There was some cloud buildup at our altitude of 8.500 feet, but there was plenty of room to maneuver around them. The six Cadet aircraft droned on as the Saratoga sped home well ahead of the rest of the fleet.

The Aero Experience thanks the Red Tail Cadets, Elite Aviation, Southeast Missouri State University and everyone who made this training day trip possible. We will feature the Red Tail Cadets again in future stories.