St. Louis University Aviation Summer Academy Hosts High School Students from Around the Country This Week

By Carmelo Turdo

St. Louis University's Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science is hosting twenty-two high school students from eight states at their annual Aviation Summer Academy this week. The students will be given an immersive experience within the St. Louis University Aviation Science Program as well as field trips to aerospace industry facilities throughout the community. The tuition-based program is inclusive of room and board at the St. Louis campus as well as transportation to all field trip locations. 

The Aero Experience visited with the students and the St. Louis University staff on Monday at the Parks College Center for Aviation Science flight operations hangar, St. Louis Downtown Airport. Our coverage includes a look at the four main hands-on activities offered throughout the day, along with one student's review of her first flight in a general aviation aircraft. 

During the morning session, the students rotated through the first two stations: Simulator Lab and Aircraft Pre-Flight. Here we show them pairing up for some training in the Frasca advanced aircraft training device (AATD) flight simulators. These realistic simulators supplement and reinforce the procedures and techniques learned while flying in the training aircraft. While half of the group was in the Simulator Lab, the other half was outside pre-flighting the Diamond fleet aircraft under the guidance of St. Louis University certified flight instructors using a check list. The pre-flight exercise, while required before all flights, is also a great way to become familiar with the location and function of the major components of the aircraft.    

During the lunch break, St. Louis University CFI and former reginal jet pilot David Chilenski gave an informal presentation on his career path to aviation and the current need for commercial pilots. His mid-life career change came at the age of forty, and after instructing up to 1700 hours, he signed on with St. Louis-based Trans States Airlines flying on American and United regional routes. He continues to share his love of aviation through instructing at St. Louis University and participating in outreach events like Aviation Summer Academy.

The afternoon session was an exciting time for the students - they were given discovery flights in the St. Louis University Diamond training fleet. In waves of six aircraft, the students and their CFIs took off for flights around the Gateway Arch and local landmarks before returning for the next group. Many had not yet flown in a general aviation aircraft, and this was an enlightening experience! 

One of the students, Melia from the Kansas City area, was especially looking forward to her first flight in a general aviation aircraft. She took her discovery flight with CFI Chase Meyer, and upon her return, Melia was all smiles!  

"It was a very...changing experience," Melia said. "It helped me commit that I really want to be a pilot. I got to see the Arch and just see everything. I've never flown in a small airplane before, so just being able to feel how the air impacts the movement in the plane a little bit more, compared to big commercial flights. I really enjoyed it. I think it was a great experience, and I really recommend it."

Summer Aviation Academy continues through the week, and we thank St. Louis University for providing this program each year. Visit the Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science website for more information on academic programs and admission requirements.