St. Louis University Hosts Girls in Aviation Day

By Carmelo Turdo

St. Louis University's Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science hosted Girls in Aviation Day October 28 at their St. Louis Downtown Airport flight operations facility. Over 100 high school students arrived for registration by 9:00 A.M. to begin a fun and informative day. The students interacted with exhibitors from a variety of aviation career fields and explored the static display aircraft parked on the apron just outside of the hangar. The keynote speaker was Lindsey Saunders, aircraft owner, corporate pilot and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner who continues to balance professional aviation and family life along with her husband, who is also a pilot. 

The Aero Experience coverage begins with a look at the aircraft on static display. St. Louis University provided three training fleet aircraft: the primary and instrument trainer Diamond DA-20, a new-generation Piper Archer used for commercial and cross-country training and a Piper Seminole twin-engine trainer. The students climbed aboard the aircraft and learned about the university's flight program from the instructors stationed near each one. The university's Frasca flight simulators were also available for student "flights." 

St. Louis University's Parks Air College heritage goes back to its founding in 1927 as the first federally certified flight school in the country. Celebrations are already being planned for the centennial anniversary just a few short years away.

AeroCareers was also represented with an outdoor aircraft display. Owner/builder Jerry Wade brought his blue and gold-striped, high-wing Zenith STOL to introduce the students to experimental aircraft. The CH-50 STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) model, available in kit form from Zenith Aircraft in Mexico, MO, is capable of operating from small, off-airport areas in the hands of a skilled pilot. Also on display was a full-scale reproduction of the original Spirit of St. Louis cockpit produced by Parks College for the Flight City Exhibition held at the Missouri Historical Society in 2007. AeroCareers is a nonprofit organization that provides career education and mentoring for those seeking aviation and aerospace careers. Special thanks to Bob McDaniel and Eve Cascella for supporting Girls in Aviation Day. 

The U.S. Air Force was represented with a C-21A (Learjet 35A) executive aircraft and an all-female flight crew from the 375th Air Mobility Wing based at Scott AFB, IL. Scott AFB has a fleet of 14 C-21As used in critical staff and essential cargo transportation missions for the Air Mobility Command, and these aircraft, along with some based in Europe, will soon undergo an upgrade program to keep them in service until at least 2030. One of the crew members, Major Alicia Canetta, is a St. Louis University alumna.

The St. Louis Downtown Airport Fire Department was also represented at Girls in Aviation Day. The students received a tour of the Panther Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle and tried on the protective clothing! Thanks to Firefighter Gina Wallace for hosting the vehicle display.

Local aviation and aerospace organizations provided exhibits in the hangar throughout the event. St. Louis University was joined by Ideal Aviation, GSLBAA, Wings of Hope, GoJet Airlines, Gulfstream and West Star among many others.

A panel of St. Louis University students answered questions pertaining to their experience in the Aviation Science program, including flight training and career development. 

The keynote speaker, Lindsey Saunders, is currently a corporate pilot in the Nestle Purina flight Department based at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. She flies her company executives around the world in the Gulfstream G-VII and also serves as an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. She has over 12,000 hours of flight time, previously flying air charters and rising through the ranks to become a check airman and CRM/simulator instructor at Republic Airways. After taking time off to welcome her second child, she resumed her career in corporate flying while also enjoying the family's Beech Baron. Saunders emphasized that with a personal and professional support system, an aviation career is compatible with a healthy work/life balance.

 

The Aero Experience thanks St. Louis University and all of the organizations who contributed to making this event a success!