Air Scouts

Encyclopedia : A : AI : AIR : Air Scouts

redirect

Air Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on flying-based activities. Air Scouts follow the same basic programme as normal Scouts but certain amounts of time are spent focusing on air activities.

Air Scouts wear a slightly different uniform from the rest of the Scouting movement, with the introduction of a blue shirt and a beret.

In the United States

The Air Scouts program had four ranks Apprentice, Observer, Craftsman, and Ace. The Ace cloth knot and medal may still be worn by anyone who earned them before the program was dropped.

Air Scouts is a now-defunct program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Youth interested in non-profit organizations based around flying should look into the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.

Also, a derogatory reference to members of the U.S. Air Force, typically used by combat troops of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

In South Africa

Unlike the Air Scouts program of the Boy Scouts of America, Air Scouting in South Africa is an active part of the program. Although it has been recently neglected, since 2005 Air Scouting has really started to take to the skies, especially in Gauteng, where the first Airjamborally since the 1980s was held during August 2005.

There are currently 8 Air Scout groups in South Africa:

[Fairland Air Scout Group]
[First Rosebank Air Scout Group]
[9th Irene Air Scout Group]
[2nd Kenridge Air Scouts]
Constellation Air Scouts (2nd Benoni and 4th Benoni)
Harmelia Gardens Air Scout Group
Springs Central Air Scout Group
58th Durban Air Scouts

What distinguishes Air Scouts from Land Scouts, or Sea Scouts is the uniform. Air Scouts do the following badges Advanced Navigation, Air Glider, Air Mechanic, Air Meteorologist, Air Navigator, Air Spotter and Air Traffic Controller The Air Scout uniform is: A sky blue shirt (Short sleeve), Navy blue long pants or shorts, black socks, black shoes, the group scarf and a black beret.

Air Scouts also generally do their Air Explorer (As apposed to Sea Explorer or Explorer badge) advancement badge. The Explorer advancement badge is the last advancement badge before the Top Award (Springbok Badge). Challenge awards differ from Land and Sea Scouts. Whereas Land Scouts can obtain a Bushman's Thong and Sea Scouts the Bosun's cord, Air Scouts wear "The Airman's Cord.

The [Gauteng Area Air Scouts] (With 5 of the 8 Groups) is the most active and largest Air Scouting area in South Africa.

In the United Kingdom

Air Scouting in the UK started in the 1930's and became an official branch of Scouting in 1941. The early history of Air Scouting can be found [here]. Currently around 10% of all Scouts in the UK are in one of the 160 Air Scout Troops or Explorer Units.

An Air Scout Troop can apply to become recognised with the Royal Air Force and thus can receive special opportunities and trips. This RAF Recognition is subject to a regular 18 month inspection by a designated RAF Reserve Officer.

From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.