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Now in our third year, Discovery Flight Day continues to grow! In 2026, more than 60 students signed up, and we proudly provided 30 young people with an unforgettable aviation experience.
Our mission is to introduce and inspire students ages 8–18 to explore the world of aviation. During the event, students also learn about aviation-related STEM programs and career opportunities available throughout the St. Louis area. Each student flies aboard a Cessna 172, gets the opportunity to take the controls under the guidance of a certified pilot, and records the experience in a complimentary flight logbook. This program is helping the next generation discover that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning!
✈️ OBAP ACE Academy – Learning Beyond the Classroom!
ACE Academy students explored the St. Louis aviation community with tours of Boeing, GoJet Airlines, Southwest Airlines, the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower, and Wings of Hope. They met pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, and other aviation professionals while discovering exciting career opportunities. A special thank you to Henderson Aviation Resources for its continued support of aviation education and inspiring the next generation of aviation and aerospace leaders.
We also thank Southwest Airlines, Boeing, GoJet Airlines, the FAA, Wings of Hope, the Hugh J. White Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition for making these experiences possible.
The sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning! ✈️🦅🚀
In 2025, we celebrated our second annual Tyrell Rhodes Discovery Flight Day. Interest continued to grow, with more than 45 students registering for the event. We proudly provided 24 students, ages 8–18, with an unforgettable introduction to aviation.
The event featured two sessions of 12 students each. Participants flew aboard Cessna 172 aircraft, took the controls under the guidance of certified pilots, and recorded their flight time in complimentary logbooks.Students also learned about aviation-related STEM programs, career pathways, and other youth opportunities available throughout the St. Louis area.
The success of our second year demonstrated the growing demand for hands-on aviation experiences—and strengthened our commitment to inspiring the next generation of aviators.
The mission of this Discovery Flight Day is to introduce and inspire kids in the field of aviation. Each session will also include information on other aviation-related STEM programs around the St. Louis area. This exciting event is for students between the ages of 8 and 18. We have two sessions available, each accommodating 12 students. Each student will have the opportunity to fly a Cessna 172, with a chance to pilot the plane and log flight time in their free logbook.
Scott Air Force Base honored Tuskegee Airman Major Lewis John Lynch on his birthday. In his name, a bench was added at Scott Field Heritage Airpark. He was one of the first African-American military aviators and flew 42 combat missions in WWII. His children, David and Robin, shared memories of their father, emphasizing his humility and humor.
The event highlighted Lynch’s legacy in aviation, the community, and inspiring youth, especially in STEM. The ceremony celebrated the impact of the Tuskegee Airmen and their role in breaking racial barriers. In attendance were members of the Hugh J. White and Lewis J. Lynch Chapters of the Tuskegee Airmen, also representatives for the Gateway Eagles Of Missouri.
Henderson Aviation Resources - A proud sponsor and instructor during the OBAP ACE Camp,
The ACE Academy is designed to introduce young people to the wide range of career opportunities in aviation and aerospace. The program provides students with hands-on experiences, teaching them about aviation history, the fundamentals of aerodynamics, the role of government in aviation, and the diverse careers available within the aerospace industry.
This multi-day academy is tailored for middle and high school students with a general interest in aviation. The goal of the ACE Academy is to expose participants to the vast career possibilities in aviation while demonstrating the practical applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the field. By the conclusion of the program, students gain a broader perspective on potential career paths and are encouraged to strive for excellence in their future endeavors.
Over Memorial Day weekend, several members visited Grissom Air Reserve Base in Kokomo, IN, for the opening of the Tuskegee Airmen Traveling Display. Plans are underway to bring the exhibit to the St. Louis Soldiers Memorial in 2025, showcasing the names, photos, and artifacts of our local St. Louis Tuskegee Airmen.
Over Memorial Day weekend, several members visited Grissom Air Reserve Base in Kokomo, IN, for the opening of the Tuskegee Airmen Traveling Display. Plans are underway to bring the exhibit to the St. Louis Soldiers Memorial in 2025, showcasing the names, photos, and artifacts of our local St. Louis Tuskegee Airmen.
The Hugh J. White Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. has launched an initiative encouraging family members to honor their relatives who served in the military by dedicating commemorative bricks in front of Soldiers Memorial in downtown St. Louis. We began with bricks dedicated to a few of our chapter members and Tuskegee Airmen from the St. Louis area, creating a lasting tribute to these heroes.
The P-51 Red Tail Mustang, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, made a special appearance in St. Louis for the debut of the Illinois 300 NASCAR event in June of 2022.. It was a hit at the race, drawing a large crowd eager to learn more about the car and the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. The iconic Red Tail Mustang was also showcased at Scott Air Force Base and various other events around the St. Louis Metro area.
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