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

Aug 18, 2024

We have another Private Pilot, Ellie Flick from RTCP Class III!

Ellie Flick from the 2023 Class of Red Tail Cadets received her private pilot's license on Sunday August 18th 2024! Way to go Ellie!

May 16, 2024

Welcome our 4th Class of Red Tail Cadets!

We are proud to introduce our 4th Class of Red Tail Cadets! 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

Jan 7, 2024

Matthew Gaikins from RTCP III is now a Private Pilot!

Matthew Gaikins from the 3rd class of Red Tail Cadets achieves his goal of attaining his private pilot's license on Sunday January 7th 2024! We are so proud of you Matthew!

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