Boy Scouts Adds Drone Training For Members

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Key Takeaways:

  • Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an FAA-approved administrator, enabling members to become certified drone pilots and introducing them to STEM fields like robotics and engineering.
  • The program facilitates the FAA TRUST process and paperwork for Scouts, with leaders assisting members.
  • BSA has developed its own drone safety guidelines, complementing FAA material and applying its "Sweet 16 of BSA Safety" principles to drone activities.
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Add becoming a drone pilot to the long list of accomplishments Boy Scouts can claim through the program. Boy Scouts of America is an FAA-approved test administrator and can facilitate the process for members who are old enough. “Flying drones is a fun way Scouts can start learning about robotics, science, technology and engineering,” said Eagle Scout and scouting blogger Bryan Wendell. “Many camps already offer drone-flying programs.”

Leaders help Scouts go through the FAA TRUST program and make sure the knowledge testing and paperwork get done properly. Boy Scouts has also drafted its own list of safety guidelines to supplement the FAA material. Chief among those is application of the “Sweet 16 of BSA Safety” that applies to all Scout activities. Although there is an aviation merit badge, there doesn’t appear to be one for drone pilots.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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