Elite Aviation Hosts Civil Air Patrol 80th Anniversary Open House Event, Part 1

By Carmelo Turdo

Elite Aviation hosted the Civil Air Patrol 80th Anniversary and Open House event Saturday at their Spirit of St. Louis flight training facility. The public was invited to learn about the Civil Air Patrol, meet members of the local aviation community, explore the aircraft on display, take Discovery Flights in modern Elite Aviation aircraft and enjoy good food and refreshments throughout the day. Elite Aviation has supported the fleet of Civil Air Patrol aircraft since they began operations at the airport, and they were a natural partner to help plan and host the event. Special guest appearances by the Missouri CAF, U.S. Army, Metro Air Support and the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation's F-4 cockpit and Kid Zone exhibit made the day enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

In Part 1, we introduce the main sponsors of the event, Civil Air Patrol and Elite Aviation. We will include the other participants in Part 2 and Part 3 in this series.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, is a national civilian, non-profit volunteer organization that serves the nation through the use of general aviation aircraft in a regional, state and local corporate structure. Founded on December 1, 1941, Civil Air Patrol has evolved from supporting the war effort through coastal patrol and search and rescue missions to the national Total Force partner they are today. CAP members still perform search and rescue and disaster relief missions, but they also provide Aerospace Education and a Cadet Program as well. The 60,000+ members employ modern aircraft and equipment, as seen below, and uphold the highest standards of respect for the nation. Here we feature the Civil Air Patrol's event exhibit and the posting of the colors by the cadet color guard.   

Elite Aviation provides Private, Commercial and Flight Instructor certificate training in their large fleet of modern C172 Skyhawks at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The updated facility includes briefing and class rooms, and the large apron space offers a safe environment for initial and advanced flight training activities. Cessna Pilot Center King Schools on-line ground school training allows students and instructors to track progress and address areas of difficulty along the way. Training in the Redbird MCX full-motion simulator is also available for single-engine, twin Baron and instrument flight scenarios. Elite Aviation's maintenance department services a variety of aircraft, including the flight training and Civil Air Patrol fleets. Here we feature the Elite Aviation hangar hospitality center, tent exhibit, fleet aircraft and Discovery Flights.

 

Elite Aviation 2019 Open House, Part 2: Wide Variety of Aircraft on Display and Salute to First Responders

By Carmelo Turdo

Elite Aviation, the premier flight training and aircraft service provider in St. Louis, held their annual open house at Spirit of St. Louis Airport on Saturday. Visitors were treated to good food, an apron full of aircraft (see the previous story for a sampler) and the Midwestern hospitality that is shown to guests and customers of Elite Aviation on a daily basis. During the day, Elite Aviation flew thirteen "Test Flights," or introductory local flights for those interested in pursuing flight training, in their fleet of late-model Cessna 172 Skyhawks. Those interested in purchasing aircraft were treated to a look at the latest Skyhawk and Baron aircraft from our friends at Textron Aviation.

In Part 2 of this series covering the Elite Aviation 2019 Open House, we feature some views of the wide variety of aircraft on static display. We begin with the Icon A5, the light sport amphibian flown in by Icon Regional Sales Director Rick Rief.

Three experimental aircraft were on display from different eras in aviation design. Roger Moore brought in his Hatz CB-1, a 1960s-era biplane design completed in 1992. The fabric-covered aircraft has a welded steel fuselage and wood wing structure. The aircraft won Best Hatz at the 2009 Antique Aviation Association Fly-In.

Two other, more exotic looking experimental aircraft were also on display. John Murphy's SubSonex personal jet has a different paint scheme on each side, and Dave Adams' LongEZ is a staple at area fly-ins.

Several more conventional, factory-built aircraft were also on display including John Marchall's Bellanca Citabria, a Cirrus SR22 and Cessna Citation CJ3+.

 

Service and first responder aircraft were included in the day's displays. Wings of Hope, located within the line of sight from Elite Aviation at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, brought one of their Medical Relief and Air Transport Program aircraft. The twin-engine Piper Seneca is used to transport patients in need of medical treatment at Midwest medical facilities, and comes complete with medical station and room for a stretcher. First responders were well represented by an Air Evac Lifeteam crew in their Bell Long Ranger III air ambulance and officers flying their MD-500 from the Metro Air Support unit also based at the airport. 

The Aero Experience thanks everyone who brought their aircraft for display at Elite Aviation's 2019 Open House. In Part 3 of this series, we will feature warbirds and vintage aircaft, including those from the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.