Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation Holds First Graduation for Intro to Flight Program

By Carmelo Turdo

The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation (GYAF) held the week eight session and first graduation for the Intro to Flight Program on Saturday at Creve Coeur Airport. Participants in the Saturday morning and afternoon sessions met together to complete their final class and other special activities planned for the day. 

Week eight contained a final exam-type challenge - a Creve Coeur Airport scored flight pattern exercise - on the V/R flight simulators. Each of the two session point leaders was awarded a flight bag, donated by St. Charles Flying Service, containing training materials and equipment needed for Private Pilot training. All graduates received certificates of completion and flight training scholarships from Intro to Flight Program sponsor, Piston Aviation.

Throughout the morning, Intro to Flight Program participants from the two Saturday sessions were joined by those from the current Sunday session for Young Eagle Flights given by members of EAA Chapter 32 who volunteered their time and aircraft to make the day extra special. The flights were completed by around noon just as a weather front moved into the area and, not coincidentally, when the pizza arrived for lunch!

The GYAF V/R flight simulation lab is especially valuable for providing a realistic flight experience, allowing the Intro to Flight Program participants to fly together in real time, at their own airport and with the actual weather conditions experienced that day. This use of the latest technology also provides a fair way to grade flying performance using the software's scoring system. 

The GYAF has formed a great partnership with EAA Chapter 32, based at St. Charles County Airport. EAA Chapter 32 coordinates the Young Eagle Program that provides flights in general aviation aircraft to youth aged 8-17 at no charge to the riders. GYAF hosts Young Eagle flights each October and at Youth Aviation Day, held biennially in June (this year on June 3).

EAA Chapter 32 provided five aircraft and pilots along with a ground crew and registration staff to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all involved. The planes were ready for takeoff by 9:30 A.M. and flights were completed in time for lunch. 

The graduation ceremony was held in the GYAF hangar outside of the V/R flight simulation lab, with the iconic F-4 Phantom cockpit as our backdrop. Certificates of completion were awarded to the two Saturday sessions who completed the full eight-week course. The graduates also received a scholarship towards flight training at Piston Aviation as a benefit of participating in the program. Here we include the class photos along with individual presentations given by Meghen Ord of Piston Aviation. Congratulations to the flight bag winners, Nolan Schneider and Brian Conley.

The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation thanks the GYAF volunteers, EAA Chapter 32, class instructors, St. Charles Flying Service, Piston Aviation and everyone who contributed to making the Intro to Flight Program a great success. The GYAF continues to take registrations for future Intro to Flight Program sessions and also offers a discount on Discovery Flights with Piston Aviation. Check the GYAF website regularly for future programs and events.

A video of the day's activities can be seen below: