Take flight with Scouts!

Ever thought about a career in the aviation industry?

This weekend the, Scouts Australia NSW Air Activities Centre are coming to Orange to get local children up in the air and up to speed on just what aviation is all about.

Based at Camden Airport, the Scouts Australia NSW Air Activities Centre owns four Cesna 172 aircraft and every year gives thousands of children the chance to get airborne.

“Our planes are maintained by scouts and our pilots also are all volunteers, in fact they contribute to the cost of taking the kids up,” said Country Activities Coordinator for the Scouts Australia NSW Air Activities Centre, Leon Harris.

“There's no other way, that I am aware, where kids can go up and learn about aviation. Gone are the days when you were on a domestic or an international flight and you could ask to go up to the flight desk… all you are doing now is flying in an aluminium cigar, so this gives kids a chance to find out what it is all about.”

Several times a year, Scouts Australia NSW Air Activities Centre extend their program to a regional area and they will be bringing two of their aircraft to Orange this weekend.

“We will be there for two days and probably be able to have 120-odd kids to go for a flight,” said Leon. “But not just a flight, they'll learn about aeroplanes, what makes them fly, they get shown all the moving components, all the parts… so it gives them an understanding about aviation.”

Sine the Air Activity Centre started in 1972, more than 60 thousand Scouts and Girl Guides have been through their program, with over 500 getting their pilot’s licences and going on to have careers in the industry.

The Air Activities Centre pilots are being hosted by the 3rd Orange Scout Group and the Orange Aero Club. They will be running their program on Saturday and Sunday from 8.30 to 4pm (weather dependant).

“We invite anybody who has any interest, whether it be getting involved in Scouts or seeing what we do in Aviation, please come on out,” said Leon.

“Show up at the aerodrome on the day and we can show them through the aircraft and the aerodrome. There'll be the local scout leaders from Orange, so people can see what scouting is all about. It is not just about campfires or tying knots, there is much more than that.”

The 3rd Orange Scout Group can be contacted by visiting 3rdorange.org.au