Red Tail Cadets Class VI Flies Cross-Country from St. Louis to Mount Vernon, IL

By Carmelo Turdo

Red Tail Cadets Class VI recently reached a new milestone: cross-country flight training. The five Cadets and Elite Aviation CFIs, along with The Aero Experience, Elite Aviation owner John Tipton and Chief Pilot Joshua Kelley, departed Spirit of St. Louis Airport on July 21 for the flight to Mount Vernon Outland Airport, IL and lunch at Bonnie Cafe before returning to St. Louis. The Red Tail Cadets are now winding up the flight training portion of the program, though they will continue to participate as Cadet Ambassadors for years to come.

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class VI seated L-R: Zariah Rouse, Cameron Carter, Rocko Smith, Joseph Renaud and London Hawkins

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The Cadets, CFIs and Elite Aviation staff assembled for the pre-flight briefing and flight planning session at 8:00 A.M. on flight day. Flight planning complete, the Cadets conducted their preflight inspections of the Elite Cessna 172S fleet aircraft before the 9:30 A.M. start time. Here we include some views of the preflight activities, the takeoff from Spirit of St. Louis Airport and the arrival at Mount Vernon. The Cadets honed their skills using pilotage and dead reckoning navigation during the flight while maintaining a safe distance from the other aircraft in their flight of five. 

Lunch at Bonnie Cafe is always enjoyable, and it was great to visit one of our favorite Midwest airports. Thanks to SRT Flightline FBO for their hospitality and topping off the fuel tanks for the return flight. After filling up from the great buffet, the Cadets and their instructors posed for the traditional crew photos before flying back to Spirit of St. Louis Airport. 

The Aero Experience thanks the Red Tail Cadets, Elite Aviation and everyone who made this cross-country adventure possible. Check back soon for the Red Tail Cadet Class VI graduation ceremony coming later this week. 

Red Tail Cadets Class of 2024 Inducted at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Six high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were inducted into the Red Tail Cadet Program Class of 2024 during a ceremony held on May 16 at Elite Aviation. The event marked the official start of the practical aviation and life skills training sessions that will be held throughout the summer. The program provides an intensive flight training course that is an integral part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. It is hoped that this program will be launched in cities across the country in the future.

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, Elite Aviation, Boeing and other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The inspiration for the Red Tail Cadet Program came from an encounter half a world away from St. Louis. Anthony Meyers, The Crossing Church Pastor of Community Development, was on a mission trip to Africa. While he was there, he took a flight with two young pilots. He asked one of them, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, how he became a pilot and was inspired by his answer. In a region where most parents encourage their sons to become doctors, this young man had a different calling: he wanted to become a pilot. So after high school graduation, his community raised the funds to send him to South Africa for pilot training. After Pastor Meyers returned, he consulted with the Ferguson-Florissant School District and the other sponsors and the Red Tail Cadet Program was born. 

During the induction ceremony, aviation industry executives and community leaders addressed the program participants and guests who gathered at Elite Aviation. Speakers included:

Tim Bounds, The Crossing Church Pastor of Teaching

Anthony Meyers, The Crossing Church Pastor of Community Development

John Tipton, Elite Aviation Vice President 

Brandon Mann, The Mann Family Foundation

John Bales, Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director of Aviation 

Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis County Executive

Matthew Gaikins, Red Tail Cadet Class of 2023, gave words of encouragement to the new class members.

The Red Tail Cadets were provided with a bag of aviation supplies and monogramed uniforms that will be used during flight training in the coming months. The cadets were then paired up with Certified Flight Instructors from Elite Aviation and escorted to an aircraft for a sunset flight around the local area.

The cadets will continue their flight training over the next several months, and The Aero Experience will have regular updates as the Red Tail Cadet Program Class of 2024 progresses in their training.