Super Hornet Jet Display Dedicated at National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis

By Carmelo Turdo

The National Museum of Transportation dedicated their newest aviation exhibit, an F/A-18E Super Hornet, on Saturday, August 3. This aircraft, E1 BuNo 165164, was the first Super Hornet produced. McDonnell Douglas test pilot Fred Madenwald made the inaugural flight from St. Louis-Lambert International Airport on November 29, 1995. It was used for initial flight testing and later tested weapons mounts for the Kuwaiti Super Hornet transition program. It was eventually put in outdoor storage at Boeing St. Louis and recently assigned to the museum on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL.  

(Jill Rempala photo)

As the crowd gathered and enjoyed some music prior to the ceremony, those in attendance who worked on the Super Hornet display posed for photos. Here we include keynote speaker Vice Admiral Francis Morley, who early in his career flew the first Super Hornet trap on an aircraft carrier, and a group of Boeing Volunteer Corps employees. 

The guest speakers for the dedication included representatives from the museum, Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas), the U.S. Navy and Missouri state political office. Here we feature some remarks from each speaker.  

Dr. Darryl Ross, President of the Board of Directors for the National Museum of Transportation, began his remarks by mentioning his roots with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. "I go back to Mr. Mac," Ross said, referring to James S. McDonnell, founder of McDonnell Aircraft and later Chairman of McDonnell Douglas Corporation. He thanked everyone involved with the project and introduced the next speaker, Missouri State Senator Tracy McCreery. 

"A safer America begins at home," she told the mostly Boeing employee crowd, "and that safety, that strength, has been built by the more than sixteen thousand Missourians who work at Boeing. As the largest manufacturer in the state, Boeing workers help drive Missouri's economic growth while keeping us safe, secure and free. Today's ceremony celebrates the rich history of not only the F/A-18 Program, but also the history of Missouri's entire aerospace industry which reaches more than three hundred and sixty suppliers across the state...It's an exciting time for this museum and for all of the Boeing employees who played a part in the building of this historic fighter jet."

Tim Bischof, Director of the National Museum of Transportation, was also the F/A-18E1 Flight Test Engineer from 1994-1999. "I was pretty excited because I was asked to be Flight Test Engineer on this airplane, the first Super Hornet," he recalled. He recently found out that the jet was at Boeing and ready for disposal, so he sought out old and new friends to help save it. Over a hundred volunteers helped to restore the aircraft for display once it was secured through the National Naval Aviation Museum and local resources. Along with Boeing, other partners included GE Aerospace, PPG Industries and Cowboy's Cranes.   

Mark Sears, Boeing VP/Program Manager for Fighter Programs, was instrumental to preserving E1. "The F-18 has a special place in my heart for sure," Sears remarked. "And to many of us, the F-18 is more than just a fighter jet, it's a representation of the pride, the grit, the determination and the hard-working spirit of our family, friends and of this community... And as a Boeing employee, I am honored to say that we continue to build on E1's legacy as we deliver the most advanced F-18, the Block Three Super Hornet, and we will continue to service and modify these jets for decades."

Sterling Gilliam, Captain, USN (Ret.) is the Director of the National Naval Aviation Museum, the custodian of the over 950 retired U.S. Navy aircraft on display throughout the world. On Saturday, Super Hornet E1 was added to the display list. "E1 just didn't show up," he told the audience after stressing the need for teamwork. "There was a lot of hard work - Boeing, NAVAIR, PMA-265, OPNAV, Naval History and Heritage Command, my museum, your museum and most importantly, the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers that dedicated their time to make this reality, make this country a better place." 

Vice Admiral Francis Morley, Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), was the keynote speaker. The first carrier landing of a Super Hornet was made by then Lt. Morley in F/A-18F1 on January 18, 1997. On Saturday, he dedicated Super Hornet E1 as the last duty mission of his U.S. Navy career. After reviewing his portfolio of Naval Aviation programs, Vice Admiral Morley had this to say about the Hornet family of combat aircraft:

"Let me say that this program, the F-18 Program, was possibly the most successful acquisition program in our lifetimes. Hands down. It has been the exemplar of evolutionary development through life of all three platforms. From the Legacy Hornet to the Super Hornet you see before you and to the EA-18G Growler - controlled technical risk, disciplined requirements, exquisite program management. All of this has provided for what simply has been the backbone and mainstay of Naval Aviation for the past four decades. On cost, on schedule, on performance. These were not just words or goals for this program, they were a reality of this program." 

He described the success of the Hornet, Super Hornet and Growler as being the right jets at the right time when Naval Airpower needed capable and reliable aircraft as technology was making great leaps. These aircraft will continue to serve the needs of the fleet for decades to come. 

The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation provided a STEM exhibit area near the Super Hornet display, drawing a steady stream of families attending the dedication event. Prior to the ceremony, the Foundation's Bell TH-67 Creek helicopter landed near the Orthwein Education and Visitor Center. Once the helicopter was safely secured, the Foundation members set up the F-4 Phantom Mobile Cockpit Exhibit and the pedal plane airport play area. The F-4 Phantom represents the previous generation of McDonnell Douglas fighter jets, with over 5,000 being produced in St. Louis. The visiting public was invited to explore the displays and visit the Foundation at their Creve Coeur Airport location.

(Jill Rempala photo)

(Jill Rempala photo)

The Aero Experience thanks the National Museum of Transportation, Boeing and the sponsors and volunteers who made the Super Horet E1 dedication possible. We encourage everyone to see the new display and visit the rest of the sprawling museum grounds regularly.

Lindbergh Foundation Continues to Expand In St. Louis by Building Networks, Holding Epic STEM Challenge

By Carmelo Turdo

Erik Lindbergh, Chairman of the Lindbergh Foundation, and members of his staff visited the St. Louis area last week to prepare the Foundation's move to the Gateway City. Lindbergh was in St. Louis last April to announce the Foundation's relocation, which received widespread acclaim from local business leaders. The move not only reflects the historic ties of the Lindbergh family to St. Louis dating back nearly a century, but also the city's current role as a crossroads of aviation and agribusiness that provides the backdrop for future low and zero-carbon fuel development. The proximity of highly-rated academic engineering institutions and strong STEM outreach programs were also factors in the decision.

"St. Louis changed the world, transformed it, twice - so far," Lindbergh told the audience during his April 24 announcement reception. "It is legendary, and known around the world, that St. Louis backed an unknown aviator in my grandfather [Charles Lindbergh], and he changed aviation forever. And then, at the turn of this century, St. Louis somehow backed a little, fledgling non-profit called the X-Prize Foundation. And the X-Prize Foundation was able to really transform commercial space flight. And we see St. Louis as transforming the world again."

The Lindbergh Foundation began in 1977 with a group of aerospace leaders looking for ways to balance the needs of civilization with the preservation of the earth's environment. Erik Lindbergh has made practical contributions to meeting the Foundation's goals through his work with Verdego Aero electric propulsion systems, launching the X-Prize Foundation, making his own solo transatlantic New York to Paris Flight in 2002 in The New Spirit of St. Louis (see below), and spearheading the current initiatives in aeronautics through the Forever Flight Alliance. He accomplished all this while conquering crippling rheumatoid arthritis that has plagued him since early adulthood.    

The Forever Flight Alliance partners with the X-Prize Foundation to pursue sustainable, non-carbon aviation through collaboration and X-Prize incentives to spur technological advancements. Process and product spinoffs developed through the Forever Flight Alliance will positively affect other areas of life while upholding the values of the Lindbergh Foundation. 

The Lindbergh Foundation also supports STEM education through the Epic STEM Challenge, an electric flight program developed in collaboration with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Students build the eSpirit of St. Louis and experiment with the flight characteristics of quiet aircraft. The Lindbergh Innovation Forum provides online resources to inspire and educate the next generation of aerospace innovators. 

Perhaps the most unique outreach program available in the region is the appearance of The New Spirit of St. Louis as an educational exhibit and EAA Young Eagles flight aircraft. This Lancair Columbia was used by Erik Lindbergh for his 2002 transatlantic flight to commemorate the 75th anniversary of his grandfather's flight and raise funds for the original X-Prize. Through the efforts of another group of St. Louis aviation businessmen, it too is making a significant impact on the future of aviation. 

The New Spirit of St. Louis began life as the third prototype of the Lancair Columbia program, and the first Columbia 300. It was modified for the transatlantic flight with the installation of Columbia 400 wet wings and an auxiliary fuel tank in place of the rear seats. Erik Lindbergh's flight took place on May 2, 2002 in just over 17 hours, about half the time needed for the Spirit of St. Louis flight in 1927. The aircraft was used for promotional flights over the next few years, and it was then donated to the St. Louis Science Center in 2008.

The New Spirit of St. Louis was stored in a hangar at St. Louis Downtown Airport until 2021, when the leadership of AeroCareers, a St. Louis aviation education and mentoring non-profit organization, presented a plan for using the Columbia in their programs. AeroCareers took ownership in May of 2022, and after a nearly two-year restoration effort, it flew again on February 1 of this year. Since then, it has been featured at several events and flown Young Eagles. 

During his most recent visit to St. Louis, Erik Lindbergh stopped by St. Louis Downtown Airport to fly again in The New Spirit of St. Louis. He is shown here with Foundation Vice Chairman Gregg Maryniak and AeroCareers pilot Nick Turk as they took a local flight on Tuesday afternoon. Lindbergh felt at home again as they did a touch-and-go before returning to the Jet Aviation terminal. (In-flight photos provided by Nick Turk). 

While in St. Louis, Erik Lindbergh and Foundation staff visited numerous locations, including sponsors, high schools and other potential partners for the Foundation's current and future programs. On Wednesday, they toured the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation at Creve Coeur Airport. Both Foundations will work together to provide STEM education and community outreach opportunities going forward. Here we show the Lindbergh Foundation members with Joe Steimann, Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation Founder and President, sharing common heritage through Charles Lindbergh's service in the Missouri National Guard in the 1920s. The "Lindbergh's Own" badge is worn on the F-4 Cockpit Mobile Exhibit featured in many previous stories.

On Sunday, the Lindbergh Foundation held their Epic STEM Challenge at the St. Louis Science Center. High school students from the St. Louis Science Center's Youth Exploring Science Program planned, constructed and flew (tethered) their electric-powered aircraft for the honors of longest flight. Here we show some of the student flights, the winner's circle, Erik Lindbergh's presentation, the St. Louis Science Center's James S. McDonnell Planetarium exhibits and the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation's F-4 Cockpit Mobile Exhibit provided for the event.  

The Aero Experience thanks Erik Lindbergh, Gregg Maryniak and the Lindbergh Foundation for visiting St. Louis and choosing our city as their new headquarters. We also thank AeroCareers and everyone who contributed to restoring The New Spirit of St. Louis back to flying status. We look forward to providing regular feature stories as the Lindbergh Foundation begins operations here in St. Louis.