2023 SOAR Into STEM Fall Session 2: Aircraft Mechanics and Engineering

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from St. Louis area districts participated in the second of four fall sessions of the Wings of Hope SOAR Into STEM Program on Saturday. SOAR Into STEM provides opportunities to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills in the context of the Wings of Hope humanitarian aviation mission. Topics covered in the program include Airplane Basics, Mechanics and Engineering, Navigation and Communication and Drone/Flight Opportunities. 

In Session Two, the students were introduced to a systematic approach to aircraft design through a series of activities covering powerplant and electrical system layout, aircraft maintenance and sheet metal construction methods. 

Two guest speakers provided first-hand insights into their aviation careers. RaShonda Clark, Wings of Hope Flight Operations Manager, ensures the effectiveness of the Medical Relief and Air Transport (MAT) Program based at their St. Louis World Headquarters. She coordinates the onboarding of patients into the program, schedules the volunteer crews in the available aircraft and maintains communication among the network of medical facilities serviced by the MAT Program. Her passion for this role within Wings of Hope was evident during her presentation.

James Valfre is currently Chief Engineer at Boeing Precision Engagement Systems at the St. Charles, MO facility. He has an impressive career history at Raytheon, Honeywell and now Boeing Defense, Space and Security. He gave an overview of systems engineering in the defense industry and illustrated his career path as an example for the students to consider. 

The first activity on the Mechanics and Engineering topic was the installation of an electrical system on a foam aircraft cutout. One objective was to mount a circuit to the aircraft so that two electric motors would run their propellers powered by a battery pack with a switch. Another objective was to add a circuit running navigation lights on the wingtips and tail controlled by a second switch off the same battery pack. The students worked on this project and then rotated through the other activity stations.

The students also constructed standard balsa wood, rubber band-powered aircraft and attached them to a line from a stationary post. The object was to measure the distance flown as a factor of the circuits passing a fixed observation point, each trial using a different number of turns to the rubber band powering the aircraft. This activity illustrated the effects of structure, weight and balance, and propulsion.

The students were also given an inside look at the aircraft receiving maintenance in the Wings of Hope hangar. Here we show Wings of Hope volunteer A&P Mechanic Tom Moors pointing out the major systems of an aircraft that were already opened up for inspections and repairs. 

   

Representatives from the St. Louis Community College Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program provided an impressive exhibit and hands-on activity for the students. Items made in the Sheet Metal Mechanic Course were on display, and the SOAR Into STEM students took turns at the riveting station. Over 1,000 graduates of the program have been hired by Boeing, and the need for skilled aircraft assembly workers continues to increase.

At the end of the session, the students met with their SOAR Into STEM mentors to review the day's activities and discuss practical application of each theme in their own education and career development. 

SOAR Into STEM will continue next Saturday with Session Three, Navigation and Communication. Session Four, Drone Education, will follow along with a Discovery Flight and Career Fair on November 11.