Midwest Aviation Expo Expands Beyond Just Light Sport Aircraft

By Carmelo Turdo

The Sixteenth Annual Midwest LSA Expo, now known as the Midwest Aviation Expo, was held September 5-7 at Mount Vernon, IL Outland Airport. A variety of light sport aircraft brands were on exhibit, including the Bristell 912 and the Tomark Aero Viper provided by our sponsor, Piston Aviation.  Another special attraction included The New Spirit of St. Louis, a Columbia 300 that was flown by Erik Lindbergh across the Atlantic Ocean on the 75th anniversary of his grandfather's flight in 1927, sponsored by AeroCareers.

Mount Vernon Outland Airport is a great venue for the Midwest Aviation Expo, offering a central location, plenty of apron space for exhibitors and fly-ins, a great restaurant and a friendly corps of volunteers who make everyone feel welcome. The Aero Experience coverage begins with the arrival of the Piston Aviation aircraft on Wednesday evening and this survey of the activity on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

CFI on the Fly: From the Jumpseat to the Right Seat with Piston Aviation's Taylor Melbrod

The Aero Experience 

By Carmelo Turdo

celebrates Midwest Aviation with our "CFI on the Fly" series to honor the unsung heroes of the aviation industry - the Certified Flight Instructors training the next generation of pilots at flight schools large and small across the region. CFIs are in high demand, and new instructors are gaining flight hours at a rate that guarantees their rapid progression to the corporate, charter or airline crew positions to which many aspire. Rather than generalize about the CFI/CFII/MEI roles, we will start from the individual and find out what makes a great CFI through their particular contribution. 

In this edition, we feature CFII/MEI Taylor Melbrod, who has been a flight instructor at Piston Aviation since February. She can be seen flying with her students daily out of Piston Aviation's Creve Coeur Airport location and also at the frequent Flight Day events held there and at St. Louis Regional Airport. Many of her students book the mint green and orange Tomark Aero SD4 Viper LSAs, which are well-equipped for all levels of training offered at Piston Aviation, though she also enjoys instructing in the school's Piper Cherokees and Beech Musketeer.

As a flight instructor, Taylor Melbrod is embarking on the second phase of her aviation career. After college, her love of travel led to work as a flight attendant for United Airlines. It did not take long for her to realize that she could be flying the plane, and after years of saving money, Melbrod enrolled in an ATP accelerated training program to earn her ratings. 

"I was never, like, oh, I'm going to be a pilot when I grow up," Melbrod told The Aero Experience. "I thought, I like to travel, so I'll be a flight attendant. And then once I got there, I was like, wow, I could be a pilot. This is such a great gig. I love this lifestyle."  Her next goal is to return to United Airlines as an Airline  Transport Pilot. 

Reflecting on the rigorous flight training program and years of preparation, Melbrod is enthusiastic about her future. "I knew I could do this, and it's honestly such a great career. I know a lot of people do a career change later in life, and I'm one of those people. And it's, honestly, awesome!"

Here we show Taylor Melbrod prepping the Vipers in the Piston Aviation hangar and giving instruction in these very stylish aircraft.

Taylor Melbrod enjoys her role as a flight instructor at Piston Aviation, and she appreciates the opportunity for self-improvement as well. "It contributes a lot to a learning experience for me. I feel like I learn a lot more as an instructor. I've become so much more of a pilot just being an instructor, and you get a lot of satisfaction from seeing your students do well."

What makes a great CFI? "CFIs who really care about their students, and really care about the progress that they're making. They are not out for themselves," she responded. "All of my students - I want to see through to the end. I want to see them at least pass whatever stage they're in."

The Aero Experience recently took a local flight with Taylor Melbrod in Piston Aviation's orange Viper. This aircraft is exceptionally equipped with Dynon displays, autopilot, ergonomic cockpit arrangement and economical Rotax engine. The Viper provides the expected light control forces, electric flaps and trim and bubble canopy. This model includes hand brake controls on the stick and a ballistic rescue system. In the video featured below, we learn more about Taylor Melbrod and the Viper LSA.

The Aero Experience thanks CFII/MEI Taylor Melbrod for devoting her time to this story. We also thank Piston Aviation for providing our flight and for their support as one of our great sponsors.