Red Tail Cadets Class Four Honored with Graduation Ceremony at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Six high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District and Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District were honored as the graduating Class Four of the Red Tail Cadet Program during a ceremony held on Thursday evening, August 15, at Elite Aviation. The event marked the culmination of eight weeks of flight training and life skills coaching received as part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. 

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class Four, seen here with Elite Aviation owners John and Donna Tipton, The Crossing Church Pastor of Community Development Anthony Meyers, and Red Tail Cadet Administrator Melinda McKinney: 

Jalen Dennis, Alyssa Hill, Amir Soliman, Noah Strong, Elijah Fields and Sasha Parott-Santillan

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 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 consultation with the Ferguson-Florissant School District and other partners, the Red Tail Cadet Program was born.

Prior to the ceremony, the Red Tail Cadets and their guests gathered to welcome a special visitor: John Fester arrived with his North American T-28B that would become the backdrop for the graduation. Although the former U.S. Navy trainer was not a Red Tail aircraft, it represents the dedication of military service members and all Americans who work together to make this country great. The aircraft also presents a dynamic pose with its distinctive red engine cowling, tail and wingtips. Here we show the arrival with special guest, Red Tail Cadet (Captain) D.J. Beal, alumni of Class One, who is now pursuing his Commercial Pilot Certificate at Southeast Missouri State University.

The ceremony began with a series of messages from representatives of the sponsoring organizations who worked tirelessly throughout the year to make the Red Tail Cadet Program possible.

Pastor Tim Bounds, The Crossing Church

John Tipton, Elite Aviation

Anthony Meyers, The Crossing Church

John Bales, Director of Spirit of St. Louis Airport

Following the sponsor presentations, the Red Tail Cadets addressed the guests with remarks describing the Red Tail Cadet Program and the Five Pillars of Leadership: Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Commitment and Legacy. Each Red Tail Cadet from Class Four was then awarded a framed graduation certificate along with a Proclamation from St. Louis County naming August 15, 2024, for each of the Cadets. 

After the ceremony, the Cadets and guests gathered to watch the sunset departure of John Fester and his T-28!

The Aero Experience thanks Elite Aviation and all of the sponsors for supporting the Red Tail Cadet Program again this year!

Gateway Flight Solutions Adds uAvionix to their Preferred Installer Portfolio

By Carmelo Turdo

Gateway Flight Solutions has recently added another brand to their avionics portfolio. They are now a preferred installer of uAvionix products at their Creve Coeur Airport facility, and their first panel upgrade has been completed. uAvionix SkyBeacon and TailBeacon have become popular since the 2020 FAA ADS-B Out mandate, but they also produce other connectivity products for civilian and military programs and their general aviation panel displays are an economical upgrade option.

  

The Aero Experience has tracked the progress of the recent installation of two uAvionix AV-30 customizable displays directly into the panel slots previously occupied by vacuum-powered instruments. This beautiful Beechcraft V-35A Bonanza now has both Primary Attitude and Primary Direction displays, and a magnetometer was installed on the left wingtip. 

Gateway Flight Solutions Operations Manager Brian Borton, A&P/IA Steve Stone and A&P Tony Jestis contributed to the installation and testing of the new equipment. The process is illustrated here from a look at the original panel to the removal of previous instruments, the installation of the AV-30 displays and placement of the magnetometer. A future upgrade will integrate the current autopilot with the AV-30 (now pending FAA approval). 

Gateway Flight Solutions provides comprehensive maintenance services on a wide range of aircraft, including the popular, high-performance Beechcraft Bonanza series. Along with the recent V-35A avionics upgrade, here we include the Gateway Flight Training Debonair and an A-36 Bonanza in the hangar. Gateway Flight Solutions is also a preferred installer of Avidyne and Aspen Avionics products, including this example on another V-Tail Bonanza.

Contact Gateway Flight Solutions today for your aircraft maintenance and avionics installation needs as well as a flight training program from Sport Pilot to Air Transport Pilot.

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.

Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Gateway Chapter Continues Strong Event Season

By Carmelo Turdo

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Gateway Chapter continues to have a strong event schedule this year, with appearances across the Midwest and Midsouth already this summer. Last week, the chapter worked hard to keep the Huey, Cobra and Kiowa helicopters in excellent condition. Along with our coverage of local ride events, The Aero Experience appreciates the mission of the Foundation and encourages our audience to take the ride of a lifetime in these iconic aircraft. Here we feature recent post-maintenance flights of the Huey and Kiowa from their Creve Coeur Airport base. Book your next ride here: https://aahfstore.myshopify.com/collections/helicopter-rides.