The Aero Experience Week In Review: STEM Programs Take Off

By Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience looks back on another great week with the Midwest Aviation Community. Winter finally seems to have relented to a tumultuous spring, so aviation activities have had to carefully proceed between the rain and gusty winds we have experienced recently. Our Week In Review will focus on two area STEM programs under way in the St. Louis area and a few other special features since our last update. 

SOAR Into STEM Sessions 3 and 4

SOAR Into STEM Session 3 was held on Saturday, April 16 in the Wings Hope World Headquarters hangar at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The theme of the day was Mechanics and Engineering. The morning began with a review of vocations and educational options available in the aeronautics field. The students then used balsa rubber band-powered planes to measure flight distances for various power settings and they learned about aircraft engines while cleaning one on a Piper Cherokee 140. 

SOAR Into STEM Session 4 was held on Saturday, April 23, again at Wings of Hope.  The theme of this session was Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The students were introduced to the world of commercial and military UAVs, designed their own landing pads and flew camera-equipped quadcopters through an obstacle course using an app on their phones. 

On Thursday, April 21, the Red Tail Cadets Class of 2022 was inducted at Elite Aviation, Spirit of St. Louis Airport. Five high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were selected to participate in the program to join the six that were in the inaugural class last summer. The Red Tail Cadet Program is an aviation outreach that provides the ground school and flight training that may lead to the Cadet's first solo flight. Along with the flight training, the program includes mentoring, leadership and life skills development and unique opportunities to interact with industry and community leaders. Here are some views of the current and previous classes along with the six-ship takeoff on their first official flight.

On Tuesday, April 19, the second St. Louis ATC Meetup was held at the STL Aviators hangar at Creve Coeur Airport. Air Traffic Controllers representing St. Louis TRACON, St. Louis Downtown Airport and Spirit of St. Louis Airport gave a presentation and answered questions from over thirty in attendance. A video of the session can be found on The Aero Experience YouTube Channel.

During our time at Creve Coeur Airport, we visited our friends at Gateway Flight Training and the Gateway Chapter of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. Gateway Flight Training had a full maintenance hangar, including a King Air undergoing an avionics upgrade, and several training flights were flown in the Piper Warrior. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation has their Cobra helicopter opened up for inspection. 

On Saturday, April 23, St. Charles County Airport Smartt Field held their spring Wings and Wheels event. Hundreds of cars along with some aircraft and  helicopters are seen here with the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation F-4 Phantom cockpit exhibit. Photos provided by Joe Steimann.

Elite Aviation Hosts Wings and Wheels Event to Benefit A Seat at the Table Mentoring Program

By Carmelo Turdo

Elite Aviation hosted a Wings and Wheels event Thursday evening to benefit A Seat at the Table, an organization that provides a mentoring program that assists young adults (18-25 years old) in their transition to independence. Wings and Wheels was held at Elite Aviation's facility at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport West Terminal apron and featured a variety of sponsor exhibits, exotic cars, aircraft and samples of the area's finest food and beverages. The main purpose of the event was to raise awareness and support for A Seat at the Table through the silent a live auctions featuring donated items of considerable value. By initial indications, Wings and Wheels was a great success!

A Seat at the Table was founded by Bob and Chrissy Stergos (right) in 2014 after their family began hosting young men in their own home, setting the example of how a healthy family environment can be a positive influence on those lacking such support during the critical transition to independent adulthood. Since then, A Seat at the Table has partnered with other area organizations to nominate and place eligible participants in a home or apartment environment where they can continue to be supported and mentored. The lives of many can be positively influenced through your support of the work of A Seat at the Table!

Many of the 400 expected guests began arriving shortly before the 5:30 P.M. opening time, and they had plenty to see and taste (see exhibitor section below) as they enjoyed the spectacular sunset and cool breeze as the evening progressed. John Tipton (left) welcomed everyone and made occasional remarks throughout the evening. The silent auction items from over twenty contributors are shown below on their display tables. 

 Several of the participating sponsors of the event spoke to the guests, including:

Master of Ceremonies Wally Wuelling 

A Seat at the Table Founders Bob and Chrissy Stergos

N2 Publishing Area Director Aaron Golchert

Mitchell Mandel of Rockit Career Consultation Services

The live auction items were very impressive, including:
Test Flight and Scenic Flights offered by Elite Aviation;
Tesla Weekend Experience 48-hour test drive;
Light Painting Photo Session from Higher Focus;
Byerly RV Weekend with a 2019 Winnebago Adventurer Motor Coach;
Italian Villa 8 Day/7 Night Stay for 8 people.

Proceeds from these auction items directly benefit the needs of A Seat at the Table.

The event was a great success in part due to the participation of the exhibitors and area supporters represented on site. An eclectic mix of food and beverage providers were joined by local product and service representatives in the main exhibitor area on the apron. Surrounding them was a layer of exotic cars and yet another layer of aircraft provided by local owners and new models provided by Textron Aviation. The Aero Experience was proud to support Elite Aviation and all who participated, and we hope you enjoy this pictorial survey of the 2019 Wings and Wheels.