Boeing T-X Candidate Makes First Flight in St. Louis

By Mark Nankivil

The Boeing T-X candidate for the next generation supersonic trainer made its maiden flight today at the company's facility in St. Louis today.  The aircraft flew for about an hour with pilots Steve Schmidt and Dan Draeger at the controls.  The initial test flight included systems checks and flight at speeds over 200kts.  The jet is the product of a collaborative effort between Boeing and Saab, and a second jet is due for flight testing early in 2017.  Here are some views of the taxi and takeoff with the T-38 chase plane.

 

Air Associates Employs State of the Art Redbird Simulator in Flight Training Program

By Carmelo Turdo

Pilot training in the St. Louis area is conducted with greater efficiency and in all weather using the advanced Redbird MCX flight simulator at Air Associates of Missouri, the Cessna Pilot Center located at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, MO.  The Redbird MCX is a full-motion, fully dual-control simulator offering an exceptional level of realism to the pilot training environment.  The Redbird MCX at Air Associates of Missouri also offers dual crew training capabilities as well as optional features that can be tailored to specific training objectives.  The Redbird MCX will be employed as part of the comprehensive training program, including the acclaimed  Quick Start Flight Training Program.

A simulated flight around the St. Louis area in a twin-engine Baron configuration demonstrated the Redbird's realism.  The experience of flight was enhanced by the wrap-around visual references, stunning instrument displays, and the full-motion performance of the Redbird MCX.  The feeling of being pushed back in the seat during turns and climbing maneuvers lent a layer of realism that is usually reserved for actual flight.  Even with this level of realism, there is a way for the instructor to take advantage of those teachable moments - the Pause Button.  When a student is having difficulty in a training scenario, the instructor can stop the event at any time to discuss the proper pilot response before continuing the lesson.  After further practice in the simulator, the student pilot develops a sense of confidence based on training received under realistic conditions in the Redbird MCX.

 

 

 

Get a Fast Track to Flight With the Air Associates Quick Start Program

Getting that first real flight training experience has become much more accessible through the Air Associates Alpha Pilot Academy Quick Start Flight Training Program.  Get those first hours of flight training in a modern Cessna 172 and in the high-tech Redbird simulator at less cost and time investment than other programs.  And knowing that it will be conducted by Air Associates gives the program instant credibility.

The Quick Start program includes a 1 hour flight training session in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, four sessions in a Redbird flight simulator, and home study materials that include internet-based practice modules.  The new student pilot can learn the basics of flight within a week if desired, and then make plans for additional training toward the Private Pilot Certificate.  The program is also great for those participants who want to get their bucket list flight "Solo" experience.  

The Aero Experience has posted several stories featuring the modern aircraft and the ultra-realistic Redbird simulators employed at both the St. Louis, MO and Olathe, KS locations.  We encourage our audience to contact Air Associates to begin a Quick Start program, take additional flight training, rent an aircraft or schedule maintenance for your aircraft.
 
 

Revitalization of St. Louis Area Museums Is Sign of Good Things to Come

By Carmelo Turdo

Several museums and cultural centers in the St. Louis area are receiving renewed attention and displaying high standards of excellence to their current and future visitors and investors.  Of the many museums in the St. Louis and Metro East IL area, these are only a few examples of those with aviation exhibits that we found to be both of historic value and progressive development.    

Soldiers Memorial Military Museum 

The Soldiers Memorial Military Museum is one of the great historic buildings in downtown St. Louis.  The building and grounds (including the nearby Memorial Plaza) were constructed as part of the Depression-Era Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works Project No. 5098 as a tribute to the last armed conflict, World War I.  Construction began in 1935 and the museum was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt on October 14, 1936.  It officially opened to the public May 30, 1938.  The museum is closed from today forward to 2018 for significant renovations that will ensure that this historic facility will remain a St. Louis treasure for generations to come.  Until it reopens, we can enjoy these views of this magnificent museum (including the Norden bombsight):



James S. McDonnell Planetarium, St. Louis Science Center

The James S. McDonnell Planetarium of the St. Louis Science Center has been a St. Louis institution since it opened May 30, 1963 in Forest Park (later named for McDonnell Aircraft Corporation Founder James S. McDonnell in 1964).  Part of the St. Louis Science Center since 1985, the planetarium benefits from the management and expertise of the professional staff.  Currently, a special exhibit featuring the aerospace history of St. Louis, called "Liftoff," includes full-size St. Louis-made McDonnell Mercury and Gemini spacecraft, Mercury Astronaut Gordon Cooper's space suit, an award given to McDonnell Douglas aerospace engineering pioneers, and a full-size Mars rover.  Fittingly. standing guard outside the lobby is a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Hornet once used by the famed U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

    

The Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum

The Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum marks its eleventh year at its current location in historic 1929 Curtiss-Wright Hangar at St. Louis Downtown Airport in nearby Cahokia, IL.  The museum, begun in 1982 as the St. Louis Aviation Museum by McDonnell Douglas employees and retirees at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, MO, currently maintains a collection of exhibits and aircraft that well represent the contributions of St. Louis aviation and aerospace since the 1920s.  Rare items on display include Mercury and Gemini space suits, two working Link Trainers from the 1940s-50s, a Lockheed Jetstar executive jet once owned by Howard Hughes and a Meyers OTW trainer (number 50 out of 102 made).  Several aircraft restoration projects are planned, and the museum is  in search of a sponsor for the future restoration of the historic hangar.

  







   

SAFECON Region VI Competition in St. Louis: Arrivals and Practice Day Two

By Carmelo Turdo

St. Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology is proud to host SAFECON Region VI competition next week at St. Louis Downtown Airport.  The week-long event is sponsored by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) to encourage college student aviators to interact with fellow students at other institutions while sharpening their flying skills and aviation knowledge.   Teams from other college aviation programs were given a day to practice their precision landings and ground handling techniques all day Sunday.

The day's activities were like a "dress rehearsal" for the flying competition that will be held later in the week.  Collegiate team pilots flew their precision landing practice flights in groups of four aircraft, each one from a different school.  According to the competition rules, the aircraft are manually placed in the starting box marked on the apron by ground crews.  The pilots start, taxi out to the runway, fly their landing patterns and precision landings, and taxi back to a marked receiving box.  The aircraft are again manually placed in the parking area or starting box by ground crews.  After a few cycles, the pilots and ground crews achieved quick turnaround times, enabling more pilots to get landing practice flights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pace of the competition will change on Monday as the teams gather at the St. Louis University academic campus for a comprehensive briefing and several intensive contests.  In the Computer Accuracy event, team members must solve aircraft performance and navigation computation problems using a manual flight computer in a given time period.  The Aircraft Recognition Event tests the team member's ability to identify an aircraft manufacturer, model and name after viewing an image for only three-seconds.  Lastly, the Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation Event is a written exam that tests the team member's ability to solve problems related to planning a cross-country flight.  

 

Look for more of The Aero Experience coverage of the SAFECON Region VI competition this week.  We again thank St. Louis University and the Parks College Flying Billikens, FBO host Ideal Aviation, the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum, the visiting collegiate flying teams and everyone who has contributed to planning this great Midwest Aviation event.