Air Associates of Missouri Becomes Computer Aided Testing Services Center in St. Louis

By Carmelo Turdo

The St. Louis area has gained a new FAA written exam Computer-Aided Testing Services (CATS) Center, Air Associates of Missouri.  Currently the only such center in the St. Louis area, Air Associates of Missouri has added this service to their comprehensive flight training program.  Having a CATS Center back in St. Louis will help candidates complete a variety of FAA exams without traveling a significant distance from their local operations bases. 

Air Associates of Missouri photo

"Air Associates of Missouri has been authorized to provide the St. Louis flying community with FAA written testing services, through CATS," Air Associates of Missouri General Manager Lisa Lynch announced today.  She added that the services will be available after Monday, February 27. 

Air Associates of Missouri has made scheduling the FAA exams easy:

Call Air Associates of Missouri at 636-536-1341 to schedule testing directly, or register through the CATS website or call them at 1-800-947-4228.

Air Associates of Missouri testing hours are: 

Sun:   7am - 11am

Mon:  7am - 4pm

Tues: 7am - 4pm

Thur:  7am - 4pm

Fri:     By appointment only

Air Associates is the Midwest Aviation choice for pilot training, especially now as the commercial airline pilot shortage is approaching crisis proportions. Will YOU be one of the next generation of aviators? Contact Air Associates to get started! 
   

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Experimental Aircraft - Eagle's Nest Project and H.A.W.K. Aviators

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 again featured experimental aircraft assembled and flown by organized groups.  On display in the Homebuilts Area were some of the Eagle's Nest Project RV-12 LSA aircraft that were built by high school students mentored by Eagle's Nest Project STEM leaders.  Since 2010, Eagle's Nest Project teams have been building RV-12 aircraft, with the incentive of awarding up to 20 hours of flight instruction to student participants who complete the program.  The Eagle's Nest Project provides a positive, character-building experience for high school students in addition to the acquisition and application of valuable skills.  

A similar program, H.A.W.K. Aviators, or High Country Aviation Workshop, is part of EAA Chapter 800 at Mack Mesa Airport in Colorado.  Members assist high school age students in building and flying the aircraft, and participate in the Young Eagles flights.  On display was the Dakota Hawk that was first flown just weeks before following a rebuild by team members.     

 

 

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Experimental Aircraft - Scaled Classics

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

Experimental aircraft come in many shapes and sizes - some are rather odd looking but most are fairly conventional.  Others are scaled-down likenesses of existing military or warbird types, designed to give the owner an economical way to fly in "reasonable facsimile" of the desired aircraft.  There are three models of warbird replicas featured here - Flying Legend Italia Tucano, the Thunder Mustang, and the similar Titan T-51.

The Flying Legend Italia line of scaled replicas includes several models of the Tucano, including the LSA pictured above, and the Hawker Hurricane.  The Tucano LSA is powered by a Rotax 912 or 914 engine, and cruises at 120kts (maximum 178kts).  There are dealers around the world, with two in the U.S.

 

The Thunder Mustang and the Titan T-51 are very similar from the outside, though there are basic differences.  The Thunder Mustang seen above, with an example from Blue Thunder Racing, is made from a kit of composite materials.  The racing example, flown by John Parker, features a 640hp Falconer engine and cruises at over 300kts.   

 

The Titan T-51D and T-51B pictured below are constructed of conventional aluminum materials and powered by a Rotax 912 or 914 class engine.  The Austinburg, OH-based company has dealers throughout the U.S. and around the world.

 

Living Aviation History Comes Alive at Missouri Aviation Historical Society Meeting Open Mic Nite

By Carmelo Turdo

Aviation history came alive as members of the Missouri Aviation Historical Society offered their best first-hand aviation stories during the open mic nite format of the monthly meeting Thursday evening.  The objective of the open mic nite was to help the members get to know one another and appreciate the contributions each have made to Missouri aviation.  To that aim, the meeting was a great success!

Some of the participants included:

Bob Delaney told MAHS members about his flight experiences during his travels for business and pleasure.  He took his first airplane flight as a Boy Scout pursuing the Aviation Merit Badge at the age of 12: "It was a really fun experience, and it definitely cured me of any anxieties I ever had about flying."

Donald Alwine, World War II veteran and gunnery instructor on B-17 bombers, regaled the group with wartime tales.  While flying aboard a B-17 during a bombing mission over Germany, he described how the Red Tail P-51 Mustangs came to defend the bomber against three German fighters.  There were three enemy fighters for the six Mustangs.  The response from the Red Tails - "Next time you call us for help, make sure there are enough hits (enemy fighters) to go around!" 

Larry Earhart, distant cousin to Amelia Earhart, kept the audience enthralled with his recollections from a long career with the former Trans World Airlines and charter flying.  He took his first flight at 4 years old, and went on to fly jumbo jets, including ferrying soldiers and military supplies to Vietnam and flying Pope John Paul II aboard TWA's Shepherd One papal charter.  Crew Resource Management training was a budding field.  "We were having other management groups coming to our CRM training...The American Medical Association sent a group of surgeons to figure out our communications process."

Martin Harris grew up near Creve Coeur Lake and knew many local aviators and war veterans.  He is involved with the continuing development of the Jefferson Barracks POW-MIA Museum.  "Our President, Mr. Paul Dillon's father, was on a B-17 shot down in 1943.  He was a prisoner of war in Germany until 1945." Now Harris works to make the museum a reality, a new place in St. Louis to remember our captured and missing service members and work for the return of those who have not yet come home.

These are just a few of the anecdotes gleaned from our February meeting.  Check back for the announcement for the March meeting, which will feature aviation art used on aircraft, usually known as "nose art."