Red Tail Cadets Class Three Honored with Graduation Ceremony at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Five high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were honored as Class Three of the Red Tail Cadet Program during a ceremony held on Thursday evening, August 17, at Elite Aviation. The event marked the culmination of eight weeks of flight training and life skills coaching received as part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. 

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class Three: 

Matthew Gaikins, Martel Coleman, Elizabeth Flick, Breann Simmons and Miguel 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.

The inspiration for the Red Tail Cadet Program came from an encounter half a world away from St. Louis. Anthony Meyers, The Crossing Church Pastor of Community Development, was on a mission trip to Africa. While he was there, he took a flight with two young pilots. He asked one of them, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, how he became a pilot and was inspired by his answer. In a region where most parents encourage their sons to become doctors, this young man had a different calling: he wanted to become a pilot. So after high school graduation, his community raised the funds to send him to South Africa for pilot training. After consultation with the Ferguson-Florissant School District and other partners, the Red Tail Cadet Program was born.

Prior to the ceremony, the Red Tail Cadets and their guests gathered at Elite Aviation to welcome a special visitor: John Fester arrived with his North American T-28B that would become the backdrop for the graduation. Although the former U.S. Navy trainer was not a Red Tail aircraft, it represents the dedication of military service members and all Americans who work together to make this country great. The aircraft also presents a dynamic pose with its distinctive red engine cowling, tail and wingtips. Here we show the Red Tail Cadets, their Red Tail Cadet Program mentors and Elite Aviation staff posing with the T-28.

Two Cadets representing Class Three, Matthew Gaikins and Elizabeth Flick (below), achieved their solo flights this summer. The opportunity to solo the aircraft is not necessarily the objective of the flight training course, but it is possible depending on the CFI's determination of a Cadet's readiness to do so. 

The ceremony began with a series of messages from representatives of the sponsoring organizations who worked tirelessly throughout the year to make the Red Tail Cadet Program possible.

Pastor Anthony Meyers, The Crossing Church

Pastor Tim Bounds, The Crossing Church

John Tipton, Owner of Elite Aviation

Following the sponsor presentations, the Red Tail Cadets addressed the guests with remarks on the Red Tail Cadet Program 5 Pillars of Leadership: Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Commitment and Legacy.

Each Red Tail Cadet from Class Three was then awarded a framed graduation certificate and patch set along with a Proclamation from St. Louis County naming August 17, 2023 for each of the Cadets. 

After the ceremony, the Cadets and guests gathered to watch the sunset departure of John Fester and his T-28!

The Aero Experience thanks Elite Aviation and all of the sponsors for supporting the Red Tail Cadet Program again this year. For more information on the Red Tail Cadets, see our previous posts:

The Aero Experience: Red Tail Cadets Class of 2023 Inducted at Elite Aviation

The Aero Experience: Red Tail Cadets Make Cross-Country Training Flight from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau and Sikeston With Elite Aviation Instructors