Parks College Pilot Training Program Ramps Up This Weekend

By Carmelo Turdo

Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology of St. Louis University provides pilot training programs for private, instrument and commercial pilot ratings at St. Louis Downtown Airport in nearby Cahokia, IL. The Diamond DA20, Piper Arrow (glass cockpit) and Piper Seminole multi-engine trainer are included in the present fleet. During a recent spring-like day, many of the aircraft in the Parks College fleet were active on training flights. For more information on the aeronautical programs, please see the Parks College department overview at http://parks.slu.edu/departments/overview/.

St. Louis Aviation Community Mourns the Passing of Donn Byrnes

COL. DONN A. BYRNES (RET) 1931 - 2012

Donn Byrnes left us to be with the Lord on Monday, January 23, 2012. The eldest son of Gen. Victor Byrnes, M.D. and Ethel Seebach, he embraced early the joy of learning and understanding how things worked. Fascinated with airplanes and flight, Donn joined the Air Force at 19 and became a pilot. He later graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Electrical Engineering and enjoyed a challenging career as an aeronautical engineer and technical program manager.

Donn found life incredibly interesting and devoured "how to" books on any topic that transformed one thing into another. He taught himself to weld, cast jewelry and machine with a lathe. He designed and fabricated a one-man submarine, a boat, water skis, computers, a glider, and a house (with his second wife, Sparks), just to name a few projects. He loved putting together cars, trucks and motorcycles that were terribly fun to drive but not particularly safe. Everything and anything could be (and should be) transformed into something new. Junk yards, pawn shops, a welder and a shop provided the makings for New Things. He also loved photography and developing his own photographs, reloading his own bullets, locksmithing, surveying and repairing anything that was broken.

After retiring, he took a correspondence course in writing. At 68, he published Blackbird Rising - Birth of an Aviation Legend, a book about the SR-71. At 76, he published Air Superiority Blue - The F-15 Story and at 79, his autobiography, A Boy Who Loved Airplanes.

He loved hearing other people's stories, interviewing people on various topics and was at work on a mystery novel. He would have loved Storage Wars and Dirty Money but he didn't have much time for TV. The cancer took him quickly - so quickly he missed his first appointment with the oncologist. He passed away peacefully and pain free surrounded by loved ones. And he would want you to know, he was grateful for you and your friendship. Donn is survived by his wife, Sylvia "Sparks" Byrnes; his sister, Diane Thompson; his four daughters and their spouses, Kathleen and Dan Johns, Kim and Barry Syra, Connie and Mark Knauss and Karen Allen; step-children and their spouses, Phyllis and Claude Tarbell, Peggy and Bob Robey, and Arthur Tennyson; his step-brother, Frank Presson and wife, Jackie; and, of course, everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

Sightings: VAQ-209 "Star Warriors" EA-6B Prowler at Spirit of St. Louis Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

A Grumman EA-6B Prowler ICAP II from VAQ-209, "Star Warriors," arrived yesterday at the TAC Air terminal at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in West St. Louis County. Commander Dana Perkins, CO of Electronic Attack Squadron 209, and his crew arrived around 11:00am and after lunch and refueling, departed about three hours later.  Naval Reserve Squadron VAQ-209 is attached to the Tactical Support Wing at Naval Air Facility Washington, D.C. Commander Perkins is also on the flight operations staff at Boeing St. Louis, testing Super Hornets, Growlers and Eagles. Ironically, Perkins works on the EA-18G Growler, the aircraft that will eventually replace the Prowler he currently crews for the Naval Reserve. Here are some views of the Prowler.

Boeing Dreamliner Makes Stop in St. Louis at Lambert-St. Louis Airport

By Mark Nankivil

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner made a stop at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport this week during the "Dream Tour."  A small group of St. Louis-based engineers support the Dreamliner project, and no doubt they were able to view the plane during its visit. The aircraft, N787BX, is the no. 3 flying airframe, flying for nearly 2 years all around the world. Here are a few shots from outside the gates and during the tour of the aircraft. Special thanks to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Operations staff for providing additional pictures.