Scouts : Air Scouts

Air Scouting is for Everyone!

Air Scouting is a branch of scouting which combines the normal scouting activities such as camping and hiking with an interest in aviation and space. The Air Activities programme is open to all scouts who may aim to earn the Basic Air Activities badge and progress on via Airman and Senior Airman to achieve the rank of Master Airman. For leaders and venturers there are the Pilot’s and Parachutist’s ‘Wings’ badges.

Most of the Air Activities programme is suitable for all scouts in all parts of the country. Even if you are not based near an airfield, there are many activities that can be undertaken in or around a typical scout den. Where a troop wishes to take things further and needs outside assistance, the National Air Activities Team (NAAT) can help you by finding an expert member of a local flying club who would be willing to provide advice. Another possibility is to organise a weekend camp at an airfield. Again the NAAT can assist in identifying a suitable location for your troop and we also plan to formally organise instructional camps such as this on a trial basis in 2005.

For those scout troops who wish to make Air Activities a regular part of their programme, there is the option to gain Air Scout status and receive a ‘Flight’ designation. It is also hoped that, in future, special events will be run for Air Scout troops only.

Activities
The Air Activities programme incorporates a range of exciting activity options and tests under the following headings (see the Badge Scheme page for full details) :

Practical Skills (including model aircraft building and flying)
Safety & Airmanship
Aircraft Recognition & Operations
Navigation
Meteorology
Aero Engines & Propulsion
Communications & Air Traffic Control
Principles of Flight

Combined with the normal programme activities of any scout troop these offer the opportunity to try something new and interesting. There is plenty of scope for patrol teamwork and if you can get access to an airfield you will certainly see plenty of the outdoors!

Assistance with these topics and programme ideas are available, on request, from the NAAT at airscouts@scouts.ie or through National HQ, Larch Hill, Tibradden, Dublin 16 (tel. 01 495 6300).

Events
The National Air Activities Weekend is run each year around April at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel where scouts who have completed the Air Activities Badge can see at first hand the facilities and aircraft of the Irish Air Corps. We also invite along some of the Irish aeroclubs representing sports such as microlighting, skydiving, aeromodelling, gliding and ballooning. In 2004, Bombardier Aerospace from Belfast brought along their ‘Flight Experience’ show.

An important part of the weekend is the flying competition on the Sunday morning for the Delta Dart balsa model which the scouts build themselves from a kit which is available from the NAAT for € 3 each.

The cost of the weekend is usually around € 40 and you can register your interest be e-mailing airscouts@scouts.ie . An application form for the next event will be available on the web early in 2005.

The NAAT are currently looking at options for additional Air Activities events for Venturers initially, followed by cubs and beavers. Contact us if you have any ideas!

Airfield Programmes
For those scout groups that are close to an airfield, the NAAT is currently researching the possibility of twinning airfields with their local scout groups. This arrangement would hopefully allow scouts regular access to aircraft and experts which would assist them in following the Air Activities programme. Beavers and Cubs could also visit the airfield once or twice a year and venturers might have the opportunity to actually begin basic flight training. This option is currently being looked into on a pilot basis with an airfield in the midlands. If your group is based near an airfield and you think this idea might be of interest, please contact the NAAT at airscouts@scouts.ie .

International
The NAAT is currently leading a project to link Air Scouting associations worldwide. We hope soon to be able to provide information about Air Scout camps and also facilitate penpal arrangements around the world. We can do this already for groups in the UK.

The NAAT is also participating in the educational activities of organisations such as the Experimental Aircraft Association (US) and the Popular Flying Association (UK). We can also draw on support from many of the aerospace companies in Ireland and around the world.

Support
The NAAT are currently updating the support materials available to back up the basic Air Activities badge. Until these are available a hard copy of the existing material is available by contacting airscouts@scouts.ie. Other material available from the Team include some posters and the Delta Dart balsa aircraft model (which is required for the basic badge) at € 3 each. It is planned in the coming months to develop a full range of support materials which will be available both via www.scouts.ie and on CD-ROM.

I would encourage any scout troop to have a go at Air Activities alongside their normal programme. It can be great fun and you can learn a lot too so……why not?