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       | Chilbolton Microlight CampSat 29/Sun 30 September 2007Postponed from May, where the weather was against us, the Chilbolton camp took place in a grey September. As usual, we were camping as a group on Chilbolton Airfield (near Baskingstoke) as guests of the Microlight club. There's were plenty of opportunities to learn about Microlight and GA matters first-hand.
O2 (Millennium Dome) and NECSat 24/Sun 25 November 2007There were Scout-related aviation events taking place at both these venues over the same weekend.
Centenary CampMay 2007
News from 2005/6 |
 | Model aircraft construction |
| Pop-bottle rocketry |
| Air navigation exercises using a flight simulator |
| Radio Communications badge work |
| Aircraft recognition badge work |
| Aero engine badge work |
| Ground marshalling |
| Safety procedures, demonstrations and practice. |
I'd particularly like to thank Chris Shaw, Alan Schofield, Steve Beckett, Peter Christmas and friend who's name I don't have for making something new and sketchy work in the way that Scouts always do.
Same time next year!
As usual there was a Scout contingent, helping with the organisation and looking at the strange aircraft. Due to the weather and other commitments, it was a small turnout and a lot of hard work was done to provide catering for the over-night campers again.
On Saturday the weather was terrible, with hardly any aircraft able to fly in. On Sunday things picked up, and we were all busy marshalling crowds and aircraft. Interesting aircraft present were the larger Microlights - the C42, CT2K and Eurostar. The Jet doodlebug was also demonstrated a few times during the show - quieter than last year, and flying in formation!
There was a fist Microlight appreciation air-camp on the weekend of 13th and 14th September at Chilbolton Airfield, near Andover. This was a tricky time for most groups to make it, but a good number of Scouts from around the country were represented.
It was aimed mainly at Explorer Scouts (nationally) with a serious interest in flying, although there was no formal age limit at the top or bottom.
The program involved incident hikes and air experience flights, donated by local Microlight pilots and volunteers from the BMAA.
The weekend was run as a competition, with points awarded for spotting landmarks and other tasks.
Unfortunately I spent most of the weekend in the air so I'm waiting for more details before I can do a full report, but the weekend was a great success and it's planned to repeat it next year.
If you want advance warning of next year's even, join the mailing list for updates.
| Air Scouts helped with initiatives to introduce young people to air activities at the PFA Rally at Kemble on 11th, 12th and 13th July. The centerpiece was a large tent in which the British Model Flying Association taught young people the basics of making rubber band powered aircraft. |  |
 | During the weekend many groups built their models in stages, leaving them pinned to boards while the glue dried. |
| The BMFA has a wide range of progressive model kits designed for educational use. Starting with gliders they work up for fairly complex rubber powered models, some of which can take off under their own power. These kits are available at a low cost to Scout groups as well as schools - see your air activities advisor of the BMFA for details. |  |
 | While the glue was drying, volunteers from the PFA took groups air-side to show them the range of aircraft built by its members. Notebooks out, there was plenty to see. |
| Visiting pilots were also on hand, glad to discuss their globe-trotting exploits in their home-built aircraft to an enthralled audience. |  |
 | And there was even something for the beavers - this Spitfire and biplane (looks like a Tiger Moth to me) are built from plans available from the PFA. I doubt anyone could peddle fast enough to get them off the ground, but you never know. |
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June
As usual the Display organisers requested assistance from members of the Scout Association to help out at the show. We were asked to undertake our proven role and provide a visible security presence around the hangar complexes and remote parked aircraft during the Show opening hours. Click here for details.
A fact sheet has just been published (Mar 03) containing a list of organisations connected with air activities you may wish to contact. It's fact sheet FS120709 from ScoutBase.
Administrative support for Air Scouting and Sea Scouting has been moved from the Activities Office to the Scout Office. We have recently appointed two new Advisers to the National Programme Team in these areas: Chris Shaw for Air Scouting and Daragh O'Malley for Sea Scouting.
I would just like to bring a couple of things to your attention on the Air Programme. The Air Activity Badges have replaced the previous Air Proficiency Badges and although designed particularly with Air Scouts in mind, they can be achieved by any Scout in any Troop with an active air activities-based Programme. Please encourage Leaders to study 'Troop Essentials' and see how they can fit these badges into the Balanced Programme.
Secondly, all Scouts - but particularly Air Scouts - need to watch out for special articles in Scouting Magazine over the next few months to celebrate 100 years of manned powered flight. The articles will include lots of airborne themes to support the Programme Zones. The new Aviation Skills Activity Badges support the Air programme but in this centenary year, wouldn't it be a good idea for every Scout to gain one of these badges?
Two items above edited from Programme Points No. 2 March 2003
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