The Aero Experience is a celebration of Midwest Aviation and aerospace achievement. We invite you to join us as we tell the story of Midwest Aviation through first-hand, immersive media presentations. Check in with The Aero Experience frequently to see where we land, and then go out and have your own aero experiences!
The
Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation's Bell 206B Jet Ranger (ex U.S. Army
TH-67) went into service earlier this year as an outreach attraction to
inspire youth interest in aviation at events at and away from Creve Coeur Airport. The helicopter is the Foundation's flying exhibit that began GYAF operations in May and has made appearances at local fly-ins and youth events throughout the summer and fall. Some of those events are featured in these recent stories:
In recent weeks, the helicopter, affectionately named Clementine by the Foundation's A&P technician, Faith Ortega, has been in the air several times per week training the flight crew for next year's full event season. Here we show some recent flights by primary Foundation pilot and CFII Nick Hisserich with GYAF President Joe Steimann and Faith Ortega.
Guest post: The Aero Experience thanks our friend, Gregg Adam of Independent Aviation Solutions, based at Creve Coeur Airport, for providing his personal insight on flying Santa to the National Museum of Transportation on November 25.
Gregg Adam and Nick Hisserich
I was contacted last year by an amazing woman named Renee from the National Museum of Transportation. She said they had a helicopter deliver Santa to the kids at the museum every year, and the helicopter and pilot backed out. We spoke for an hour or so about the museum's needs, and she said she heard my name around town about me being a helicopter pilot and having a helicopter. I told her I would be honored to help the museum in any way I could, and that I would donate my time and helicopter to the cause. And it was history since then.
This is now the second year I have helped the museum get Santa to the kids safely and on time! Renee called this summer and was super excited as usual to plan the flight for Santa. When she called, I said, “Renee, it’s July and 102 outside. We have time to plan!"
The National Museum of Transportation is an amazing organization, and they do a lot for the St. Louis community. It’s the least I can do to help them make the kids happy, and they will always remember the helicopter bringing Santa to see them.
When I was around 8 years old, I saw a helicopter pilot land at the State Fair in Florida not far from where I lived. I saw the pilot get out of the helicopter with his flight suit and helmet, and that’s what made me want to be a helicopter pilot. I’m almost 40, and I still think of the time I saw that pilot, and that’s how I feel those kids are looking at me when we land. Hopefully that changes their lives forever and makes them want to get into aviation and become a helicopter pilot!
Most
visitors to the National Museum of Transportation in west St. Louis County, MO
set out to enjoy the largest collection of vehicles in the world, including the
renowned outdoor locomotive yard and the Lindburg Automobile Center. For the
aviation enthusiasts, there are two aircraft displays that bookend the museum
in the parking areas.
Upon entering the Barrett Station Depot side of the museum, one is greeted by a Douglas C-47A Skytrain, serial number 43-15635, wearing the distinctive D-Day invasion stripes. This aircraft flew a troop glider tow mission on the June 7, 1944 Operation Hackensack landing and resupply mission over Normandy. It continued to serve in the USAAF and later USAF until it was retired from the 131st FW, MO ANG in St. Louis and delivered to the museum in 1972. It is now on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH.
Here is
how the C-47 arrived at the museum under a CH-54 Skycrane of the Kansas National
Guard:
(Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum Archives)
(Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum Archives)
The current display at the National Museum of Transportation can be seen by all visitors, in a place of honor, as they approach the parking lot. Here is a walk-around view of the aircraft as it looks today:
The
other aircraft on display, this one at the other parking area, is T-33A s/n
52-9446 marked as 52-9564 from the 438th FIS. The 438th was home to
interceptors including the F-94B, F-89D, F-102A and F-106A based at Kincheloe
AFB, Michigan before being moved to Griffiss AFB, New York and renamed the 49th
FIS. T-33s provided target support for interceptor training missions, a mission flown by T-33s of the 131st FW in St. Louis as well.
The Aero Experience celebrates Midwest Aviation with a new "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.
Our first "CFI On the Fly" is Josh Kelley, CFI/CFII/MEI at Piston Aviation based at Creve Coeur Airport. Kelley joined the Piston Aviation staff shortly before our departure for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 in July, and he was featured in our coverage of the Midwest LSA Expo in September. Kelley remains in demand by a growing number of flight students each week, and he has become known for booking up the sharp-toothed, red and black trimmed Bristell LSA for training flights. His love for flying is immediately evident, and his calm demeanor helps create a positive learning environment for his students.
Josh Kelley comes to St. Louis from North Carolina, where he received his flight training at Blue Line Aviation's Career Pilot Program. He is acclimating to the changeable St. Louis weather, especially now that winter is finally making an appearance.
"My story really begins with my grandpa - he was an Army pilot back in Vietnam," Josh Kelley told The Aero Experience. "So, talking to him and hearing a little bit about his stories is what sparked my interest. I've always wanted to be a pilot since I was about eleven years old. I took my first flight lesson at the age of twelve...Been taking flight lessons on-and-off since then, and when I turned twenty, went through an accelerated program and got all my certificates."
Kelley quickly became comfortable training students in Piston Aviation's Bristell LSA fleet aircraft, and he took The Aero Experience for a flight in Bristell Luna just prior to the Midwest LSA Expo. During our flight over the Missouri River just west of Creve Coeur Airport, he showed us how adaptable the Bristell LSA is for training students from the Private Pilot level to Instrument, Commercial and CFI/CFII levels as well.
"I am absolutely in love with the Bristells," he continued, "so I try to get as many flights in them as possible." The students share the affection for these aircraft as well, and Kelley pointed out that there are more training options with the Garmin displays than with the conventional instrument layout. The connection between paper charts and real-time navigation in the aircraft, for example, is made simpler with the graphic displays in the cockpit and the spectacular view through the bubble canopy.
The Bristell is an excellent platform for instrument training. Currently, Josh Kelley is instructing one of his instrument students, Alexis Noel, who received her Private Pilot Certificate last March. Along with the Garmin displays, the aircraft is equipped with an autopilot and large elevator and aileron trim tabs that offer precise controllability in IFR conditions.
"Instrument flight training and Private flight training differ significantly in focus and skills," Kelley told The Aero Experience. "Private Pilot is the initial step, emphasizing basic flight maneuvers, navigation and understanding of aircraft systems. It's about gaining the fundamental skills needed to fly safely. Instrument flight training, on the other hand, delves into advanced navigation, procedures and flying solely by reference to instruments. It's about mastering the ability to operate in various weather conditions and low visibility."
Those points have resonated with his student. Alexis Noel appreciates the new level of knowledge and skill gained through her Instrument flight training regimen.
"In Private training, we were just focusing on building the foundations of flying," she noted. "In Instrument training, we are perfecting everything and getting much more precise. Being a Private Pilot is just scratching the surface of what aviation actually encompasses. I could see the improvement in my flying after only a few Instrument lessons.
"I will also say that Josh is an amazing instructor. He is genuinely invested in his students growing as aviators, and you can tell by the way he teaches. He really takes the time to make sure you understand the material."
Josh Kelley is keenly aware of his role as a CFII, including the additional responsibility involved with ensuring that his Instrument students exceed expectations.
"Becoming a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument adds another layer of complexity. As a CFII, you not only need a deep understanding of instrument flying, but must effectively teach it to others. It's a challenging role that demands a fast-paced, adaptive approach. Keeping students engaged, ensuring comprehension and staying current with aviation regulations contribute to the dynamic nature of being a CFII. Despite the challenges, the thrill of imparting knowledge and seeing students progress makes it a rewarding experience for those who love aviation."
As mentioned above, Josh Kelley joined Piston Aviation during a time of increasing growth in the student population, which continues today. Immediately, he was part of the Bristell Midwest demonstration team flying the aircraft to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 and the Midwest LSA Expo in Mount Vernon, IL. Here we include some views of Kelley and his fellow pilots as they represented the Bristell brand and Piston Aviation in style. Rule #1: Safety. Rune #2: Fun!
The Aero Experience thanks Josh Kelley and Piston Aviation for giving their time for this story and providing a flight opportunity in the Bristell LSA fleet aircraft. We will have more editions of our "CFI on the Fly" series in the coming weeks.
