Scouts at airport to learn aviation

Every Wednesday in June and July, Boy Scouts can be found at Yellowstone Regional Airport.

They're not helping elderly ladies across puddles in the parking lot or starting fires in the cafe using two sticks.

They're learning how to fly.

Aviation is one of about 34 merit badges offered at Camp Buffalo Bill on the North Fork, according to director and volunteer merit badge counselor Todd Simmons.

"They do about one hour of ground school discussing the basics of aerodynamics," Simmons said. "It takes about four hours to complete the requirements."

"Some merit badges take the better part of a year, while some take a few hours," Program Director Tucker LaPrade said. "The boys take merit badges to advance. For example, you need so many merits to become an Eagle Scout."

The Scouts learn the instruments used and how control surfaces affect flight. They tour the airport, learn about careers in aviation and build and fly model FPG-9 planes. Finally, they take a half-hour "discovery flight" aboard a Cessna 180.

"To do it we use student pilots, volunteers and members of the community, including board members from Yellowstone Regional Airport to teach," Simmons said.

"It's a small plane, so we usually take three or four boys plus the pilot," LaPrade said. "It's a neat experience for the boys because sometimes he lets them take the controls and they really enjoy that."

"It's an exciting component of the camp," Simmons said. "Recently we had 71 kids ages 7-17 register. Overall, we'll have 150 kids in the five-week program."

Other badges offered by Camp Buffalo Bill include shooting sports, handicraft, fly fishing and living skills, Simmons added.