Nancy Quesenberry Scout Pictures - Twin County Young Eagles

Written by: Nancy Quesenberry, Dist. Marketing Chair
Mountain Empire District,
Blue Ridge Mountains Council (276)732-1805 or nancyquesenberry@yahoo.com

Hillsville, Va.--Mountain Empire District held their 2008 Aviation Fall Camporee at Twin County Airport on October 17-19, 2008. Our District worked with Chapter 1426 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Briarpatch Amateur Radio Club W4BRC to make this event a success. By doing so, the scouts had a chance to complete some of the hardest requirements for the Aviation Merit Badge. They learned about basic aircraft control surfaces, how to do a flight plan, used a flight simulator, and got a chance to fly in a helicopter and small aircraft. Providing these free flights to the scouts were Pilot Bill Bryant in his Robinson R44 helicopter; Pilot Jon Wyatt in his Cessna 182; Pilot Bob Steele in his Cessna 172; and Pilot Scott Thomas in his 1947 Bellanca. Scouts also learned about the instrument panel of a small aircraft and made a glider out of a foam plate. EAA member Brian Sutphin also put on a Radio Controlled Airplane Demonstration. They learned about the many careers in the aviation field. The scouts also had the opportunity to learn how to operate a HAM Radio with the help of members of the Briarpatch Amateur Radio Club. The Scouts celebrated the 51st Jamboree On the Air.

The participants would like to give a big “thank-you” to Ted Johnson, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 60; Marty Goad, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 810; Bob Steele, President of EAA Chapter 1426, and the Chapter members; Twin County Airport; and the pilots for their involvement in making this event a great success.

If you are interested in joining the fun of Scouting, visit our website at http://www.bsa-brmc.org/mntempire.htm or contact the District Executive for Mt. Empire District, David Montang via e-mail at mountainempirebsa@yahoo.com or call (276) 229-9829.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America includes 21 counties and eight cities in southwest and south central Virginia with council headquarters located in Roanoke, Va. The Council received the National Quality Council Award in 2007 for exceeding the goals established by the Boy Scouts of America.

###
Photos are available upon request.

The following pictures were taken by Nancy Quesenberry during the Mountain Empire Fall Camporee at the EAA Young Eagles Rally for the Scouts. Nancy is the District Marketing and Public Relations Director for the Scouts.

Marcus Ogle is showing the scouts the Aqua Jet X, a child's ride that was built by EAA chapter members

Rick Beasley is showing the scouts how to plan a flight.

Sharyl Walker is teaching the scouts how to plan a flight.

The Scouts LOVED the flight simulations.

Scouts are enjoying simulated flying.

Pilot Bill Bryant with three new Young Eagles

Pilot Bob Steele and three new Young Eagles