Aviation Exploring

Aviation Career Exploring is a hands-on program open to young men and women from the 6th grade to 20 years old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Aviation.

Aviation Career Exploring combines exciting hands-on activities with interactions with aviation professionals representing a wide range of careers.  You will experience firsthand what it's like to be:

• Pilots
• Aircraft mechanics
• Aerospace engineers
• Airport management and operations
• Unmanned aerial vehicle operators
• Avionics technicians
• Air traffic controllers
• Flight attendants

You will develop

• Flying Knowledge
• Aviation Protocols
• Leadership methods
• Teamwork

You will have an opportunity to participate in
• Flight scenarios
• Flight simulator lessons
• Tours of airports and aviation facilities

You will have an opportunity to network with
• Pilots
• Aircraft maintenance technicians
• Air traffic controllers
• Flight attendants
• Airport managers

You will learn about the educational requirements for a career in Aviation and will receive tangible advice on steps you could take now to prepare and position yourself for a successful career in the field of Aviation.

Aviation Career Exploring offers the following benefits:

• Possible networking and mentorship opportunities
• Improved self-confidence
• Leadership experience and social network development
• Fun and Exciting “hands-on” career experiences
• Community service opportunities
• College & Career Readiness preparation
• Scholarship opportunities

Aviation Exploring posts typically meet on a bi-monthly basis during the school year with the specifics being determined by the local Aviation Explorer adult advisors. Initially, they will attend ground school on a Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 AM, followed by a post meeting. Some days may include other activities and/or Post fundraisers, which helps to fund trips for our Explorers.

The explorers will visit Airports, Flight Lines, Manufacturing Plants, Flight Museums and Traffic Control Towers. We provide opportunities to participate in National events and regional training sessions. Activities and trips will include visits to McGuire Air Force Base, visits to the New Jersey Air National Guard, visit to aviation related schools,and airshows in the area, etc. The Post can also arrange for a yearly trip to Air Venture, a week long airshow, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which is usually the last week of July. This is open to Explorers with good attendance and participation in the Post activities.

Most Explorers attend ground school for 2 years, many then go on to participate in the “intensive ground school”. This is three 8-hour days in the classroom designed as a review of all parts of the Ground School curriculum. If an Explorer earns the Ground School Instructor’s endorsement, they will have the opportunity to take the FAA written exam.

When the Explorer passes the FAA written exam, they can start flight school. Flight training is not covered by insurance under the scouting program so they will have to pursue that independently. The Explorer will be assigned an instructor who will work with them in gaining their pilot’s license. An Explore cannot solo until they are a minimum of 16 years of age. When the Explorer achieves their pilot’s license, they will be able to continue flights to maintain their certification hours if they remain a registered member of the Post. A part of the funds raised by the Post will be used to reimburse the member for a part of the cost of that training. The member will also be encouraged to apply for scholarships to help pay for the rest of their training.

For more information on Aviation Exploring go to:  https://www.exploring.org/aviation/

If you have any additional questions, please contact Kurt Stofko at 609-709-7676/ kdstofko@aol.com or Michelle Petrosino at 732-233-1757/ michelle.petrosino@scouting.org

Yours in Scouting,

Kurt Stofko

Jersey Shore Council

Aviation Exploring Advisor