Red Tail Cadets

Reigniting the heroic legacy of young African-American pilots (Tuskegee Airman), the Red Tail Cadet Program (RTCP) seeks to enhance and transform the lives of at-risk youth through aviation education and career path opportunities, so that they may more positively impact their community. The RTCP offers a unique, premier aviation youth outreach program that enables youth to obtain pilot's licenses and start an aviation career path.

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a six-week, residential, immersive flight-training experience, designed to introduce students to the aviation industry and to develop their skills through classroom instruction, flight simulator training, in-aircraft flight training, financial literacy seminars, leadership training, and life-skills development, with the ultimate goal of setting them on the path towards a career in aviation.

Selected from a pool of applicants from the Ferguson-Florissant School District, the cadets are chosen based on their academic excellence, community involvement, and their aptitude for success in a rigorous aviation program.

Application Process

The Latest

Jun 12, 2025

Welcoming Home the Women of Valor Honor Flight 6.12.2025

...and what an HONOR it was! Our cadets studied the Women of Valor ladies' bios and later were able to see them return back to St. Louis after the veterans' day in Washington DC. The veterans attended ceremonies honoring them and made visits to the Military Women's Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials and more. Their day started at 3AM departing Lambert St. Louis International Airport with a water cannon salute as their plane exited the tarmac and ended with a welcome home parade in the terminal with hundreds of loved ones and community members supporting them. The Veterans carried this banner through the whole day and then our Red Tail Cadets carried the banner through the airport parade finishing the celebration. The Veteran Ladies had an incredible and full day and we were so happy to see them home last night.

Jun 5, 2025

History in the Making: All-Female Cadet Class Selected for Red Tail Flight Training Program

On Thursday, June 5, six trailblazing young women from the Ferguson-Florissant School District [names pictured left to right YELENA DOMINGUEZ-STREMMEL, JENAE PATTERSON, MACKENZIE MANSARAY, ATTIONA UMANA, LAILA WILLIAMS, AND AMERIA TURNER] were formally inducted into the fifth class of the prestigious Red Tail Cadet Program (RTCP) This year’s Class V cohort marks a historic milestone as the first all-female class in the program’s history. These outstanding 11th and 12th grade students were selected through a competitive application process that assessed their academic excellence, leadership promise, and commitment to personal growth. The all-girls cohort carries forward the legacy of pioneering women in aviation—from Bessie Coleman to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)—who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. These cadets will now take flight as the next generation of innovators and leaders, reshaping the future of aviation and serving as powerful role models in their schools and communities.

Aug 30, 2024

Red Tail Cadet Program Class IV Graduation 2024

Congratulations 2024 Red Tail Cadets on completing the summer program! Noah Strong - 11th McCluer North Elijah Fields - 12th Steam Academy Alyssa Hill - 11th Maplewood-Richmond Heights Sasha Parott-Santillan - 12th Innovation High School at Cool Valley Jalen Dennis - 11th Steam Academy El Amir Soliman - 12th Steam Academy
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