Guest Post: Young Aviator Pursues Flying Career at Creve Coeur Airport

Hello, my name is Alexis Noel! I am 21 years old and am pursuing a career as a professional pilot at Piston Aviation.

Like many, I have a family history in aviation✈️; my grandfather was an Air Force navigator flying backseat in the F-4 Phantom. Growing up I loved to listen to his stories detailing his adventures in aviation, but I never considered this to be a career I could pursue myself. That all changed in 2019 when I attended the EAA Aviation Explorer Post 9032. It was this post that encouraged and inspired me to pursue flying lessons.

After starting flying lessons, I quickly realized that aviation was where I belonged.💙

About a month into flying, I joined the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. This amazing group of volunteers maintains a fleet of Vietnam-era helicopters and fly in air shows around the country. Through them, I became a Safety Crew Chief on the UH-1 Huey and a ground crew for an AH-1 Cobra and OH-58 Kiowa. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to merge my rotary wing and fixed-wing experiences.

My goal for my career in aviation is simply to fly. Whether that be cargo, charter, or commercial, I have yet to decide. I also wish to pursue my rotary wing license.

My biggest piece of advice is: networking is a large part of aviation, never be afraid to put yourself out there and meet new people in the field.

The aviation community is a special group of people with amazing experiences, stories to tell, and priceless wisdom to share. I am extremely grateful for every person that I’ve met along the way. I know that with every tale, piece of advice, and experience shared, I grow as a pilot. 

Lastly, I cannot talk about my career in aviation without mentioning Piston Aviation. Joe and Meghen Ord go above and beyond in every aspect at Piston Aviation🐾. They make a genuine investment in every student who walks through their doors. My instructor, Alan Weise, has made the biggest difference in my life and I am beyond grateful🙏🏻 to call him my flight instructor. Piston Aviation is a family that I am thankful to be a part of!