2024 SOAR Into STEM Spring Session 3: Navigation and Communication

By Carmelo Turdo

High school students from St. Louis area districts participated in the third of four spring 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 include Airplane Basics, Mechanics and Engineering, Navigation and Communication and Drone/Flight Opportunities.

In Session Three, led by Wings of Hope Education Programs Manager Lee Ann Nolte and a team of volunteer mentors, the students were introduced to aircraft navigation and communication methods directly applicable to the general aviation aircraft in which they will be flying in two weeks. Key terms were discussed, and the phonetic alphabet was also introduced. Spelling even simple words with the phonetic alphabet can be a challenging and sometimes comical experience. 

Guest speakers for this session were Lisa and Mark, two Spirit of St. Louis Airport air traffic controllers. Their informative presentation explained the basics of airspace, air traffic handoffs among various controllers, what aircraft look like on their radar screens and common instructions given to aircraft in the air and on the ground. This interactive discussion was excellent preparation for the activities to follow.

The students were divided into teams to rotate through the following activities. 

One way to observe the importance of verbal communication is to describe even a simple process, such as folding a paper airplane, to another person who does not have the benefit of observing the procedure as they hear the directions. The students paired up and tried their best to clearly communicate the steps to complete the paper airplane to a partner, with varying degrees of success. 

A "scavenger hunt" exercise was also completed by the students. They were given a list of items to locate on a Missouri Aeronautical Chart and note on their worksheet. The chart legend was "key" to this exercise, though some expert guidance by the current and former pilot mentors was helpful in understanding the terminology associated with the symbols on the charts.

Another activity during the session was a navigation exercise that involved plotting a course using scale maps. A flight scenario was proposed, and the students prepared a planning worksheet containing direction, distance and flight time to various destinations. The SOAR Into STEM mentors were again available to assist in the process.

The students also tried their skills at the desktop flight simulator station. Many types of aircraft, from the Piper Cub to the F-35, were flown using the knowledge gained from the previous sessions on the forces of flight, cockpit controls and aircraft structures. 

A unique activity was also included in this session - an Air Traffic Control exercise using a large airport diagram laid out on the hangar floor. The students took turns playing the parts of aircraft and air traffic control communicating during operations around the airport in a scripted scenario. The aircraft were represented by RC Spheros as they landed, taxied and took off from the airport. 

Session 4 of SOAR Into STEM will focus on uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, and their role in humanitarian aviation services around the world. The following week will feature a career fair and Young Eagle/Eagle flights coordinated directly from the Wings of Hope hangar.