1st Sywell Air Scouts
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1st Sywell Air Scouts - Reflecting on an amazing term
July 2015
Thank you to Larry, a 1st Sywell Air Scouts supporter for producing this striking compilation of some of the most memorable moments from this term.
We have been honoured to be part of a number of commemorative events and rememberance parades.
Along with this the opportunities we have been afforded by our aviation friends have been second to none, with world class competitive pilots and unique historic jets all delighting our newly founded Troop and making a tangible impression on our young people and aviators of tomorrow.
Vulcan bomber flies over Sywell Aerodrome
June 2015
The Air Scouts were delighted to see XH558 The Spirit of Great Britain fly over Sywell Aerodrome.
This magnificent aircraft is enjoying its last year of flight and was a sight to see with hundreds gathering in the aerodrome car park to catch a glimpse.
Thanks to Kingsley Park Club
Wednesday, 24th June 2015
We would like to thank all who attended the fundraiser at Kingsley Park WMC and the staff for making us feel so welcome.
The Air Scouts enjoyed meeting the customers and selling raffle tickets. They actually had quite a talent for it!
The money raised is being used to buy much needed equipment and to subside Troop activities from which all our young people will benefit from.
Wellingborough District Scout Camp
June 2015
The Air Scouts first camp was a resounding success.
Joining with Scouts for all over Wellingborough District the Air Scouts spent 2 nights under canvas. The weather was variable with brilliant sunshine and torrential rain. Hot days and cold nights.
A huge range of Scouting based activities were on offer at the camp with our Air Scouts having the opportunity to try Air rifle shooting, Archery, Pioneering and Backwoods cooking. A task based night hike tested there navigational skills. With so much to choose from they found it difficult to decide on their highlights but knot tying using strawberry laces and an inpromptu water fight were just 2 on their list.
Visitors to Sywell Aerodrome
June 2015
Our Air Scouts are very priviledged to be based at Sywell Aerodrome as it is the heart of aviation activity within Northamptonshire.
From time to time the Aerodrome has some very prestigious guests. Pictured with our Air Scout are a P51 D Mustang (Jumpin Jacques) and a Spitfire which arrived this month to help with an event being held by The Blades who's headquarters is here at Sywell.
1st Sywell Air Scouts first AGM
Thursday, 4th June 2015
The first ever Annual General Meeting of 1st Sywell Air Scouts was held at Sywell Aerodrome in a packed room full of parents and Air Scouts. The attendance was extraordinary and reviews of the Troops activities and plans for the future were revealed.
The Troop were priviledged to have a guest speakers from the British Aerobatics Association who explained in detail how the UK Advanced and Unlimited Aerobatics competition being held at Sywell at the weekend would be judged.
The Air Scouts met world class pilots and medal winners as they toured the hangers as well as getting up close and personal with some of the competitors aircraft. It was a real priviledge to get an insight into the world of competitive flying with experts that are at the top of their game.
Down the Hatch - Our visit to a Nuclear Bunker
Thursday, 21st May 2015
After all the excitement of the last few weeks the Air Scouts really needed to come back down to earth.
In fact they decided to surpass this by heading under the earth!
This week's underground adventure led them into a Nuclear Bunker which they are going to help restore. Cramed into a tiny room concealed under a farmers field in Northamptonshire, the Air Scouts and their parents learnt about the cold war an the role of the bunker and its occupants if a bomb were to go off.
An audience with a Vampire!
Wednesday, 20th May 2015
The Air Scouts spent a spectacular evening with pilot Mark of the Vampire Jet Preservation Society at Sywell Aerodrome.
He allowed the Scouts to get up close and personal with this amazing
de Havilland Vampire T11 jet. The Air Scouts learnt about its history and were able to pose for a few photos before watching the jet fire up. Wow!
With the heat from the exhaust and smell of aviation fuel fresh in their minds the Air Scouts were then able to witness the aircraft take off and fly around the airfield performing barrel rolls, loops and an infamous fighter tactic of flying the jet out of the setting sun to surprise the enemy ... or adoring crowd in this case!
Sywell Air Scouts interview Bear's pilot
Saturday, 16th May 2015 - PM
Whilst Bear addressed the rest of the Scouting community at Northamptonshire's Scouting County Activity day, our Air Scouts had the opportunity to look behind the scenes.
Bear’s personal pilot was incredibly accommodating and showed our Sywell Air Scouts around the Agusta AW109. The pilot answered a variety of questions that were put to him about the helicopter and his own high flying career.
Bear Grylls meets Northamptonshire Air Scouts
Saturday, 16th May 2015 - PM
After months of preparation our Air Scouts made us all incredibly proud as they took on a very special role at the County Scout Activity Day. 1st Sywell Air Scouts had the privilege of marshalling the helicopter flying Bear Grylls to the event held at Overstone. 'Bear in the Air'
They controlled the final approach movements of the Agusta AW109 helicopter as it came in to land. The Air Scouts then formed a guard of honour on the landing site where Bear thanked them for their efforts.
Final Marshalling Practise
Saturday, 16th May 2015 - AM
With the help of Andre from LAA YES (Light Aviation Authority – Youth Education and Support unit) our Northamptonshire Air Scouts practised their marshalling skills at the Northamptonshire County Scout Activity Day at Overstone.
Clint and Andre put the Air Scouts through their paces covering the different scenarios depending on which way the helicopter carrying our VIP would approach.
Preparations for a VIP
Friday, 15th May 2015
Sywell's Air Scouts were extremely excited this evening to start preparations for a very, very special guest in the morning.
The helicopter landing zone has been roped off and marked out under the guidance of Bucks Air Scouts Activity advisor, Frank.
It has been said ahead of the Queen’s visit people paint the grass green. Well ahead of our Chief Scout’s visit the Air Scout support team were seen to paint the grass white! Frank, Scott and gang prepared for the arrival of our VIP by making sure the landing zone was securely roped off and clearly marked with a ‘H’ indicating the safest area for the Helicopter to land.
Model Helicopter Flying Display with Alex Hawtin
Thursday, 7th May 2015
Alex Hawtin and his dad Peter delighted our Air Scouts by giving us an introduction to model aircraft flying. Alex flies at the top of his game competing in international competitions demonstrating his skill as a remote control helicopter pilot.
The Scouts were treated to a first class display with some spectacular tricks and stunts as Alex put his remote controlled helicopter through its paces. They also learnt about a variety of models and how they worked as well as the safety and control aspects of flying remote control aircraft which is paramount in the UK.
Alex and Peter will keep us up to date with their competitive progress in 2015 and we look forward to getting together with them again soon to hear all about their success.
An example of Alex's skillful flying can be found on U-tube
Atomic Festival Litter Pick at Sywell Aerodrome
May bank holiday 2015
Over the bank holiday weekend Sywell Aerodrome hosted it’s popular Atomic festival. With the vintage festivities in full swing to the sounds of the 1950’s, our Air Scouts worked hard litter picking.
With various shifts from 8am to 8pm the Troop ensured the areas amongst the stalls and attractions remained litter free as part of their fundraising initiative.
In true Air Scout style they weathered the storm on Sunday morning kitted out in full waterproofs but spirits weren’t dampened, and certainly lifted after an excellent breakfast at the Pilots mess.
By lunchtime the skies cleared to allow the afternoon team to enjoy some fabulous flying displays including the dramatic stunt take off by the Pitts special G-EWIZ.
The Air Scouts also enjoyed meeting the attendees who were all extremely friendly and welcoming. With classic cars and vintage air craft to examine while they worked our Scouts enjoyed the event's fabulous atmosphere.
We look forward to their next Atomic gathering where we hope we can be of assistance again.
Air Scout Troop Organisation - Patrols
April 2015
As with every Scout Troop the members are divided up in Patrols.
Our Air Scouts split into 2 patrols and choose to be Falcon and Eagle.
Although in traditional Scouting the patrol badges feature birds of prey, our Air Scouts also choose these to represent some of their favourite fast jets
Air Scout Investitures
April 2015
With the Troop growing rapidly we saw more Air Scouts being welcomed to our organisation.
The Investiture, or joining ceremony, is one of the most important events in a Scout's life. It involves our Air Scouts, by means of the words of the Scout Promise, publicly announces their commitment to the Scout Law.
Wellingborough District Scouts St George's Day Parade
Sunday, 27th April 2015
Our Air Scouts joined the annual District Scout St George’s Day parade for the first time. Scouts from all over Wellingborough gathered for a service at All Saints Church in the town centre.
The service was particularly special for the Troop as our colours were official recognised with a blessing from Reverend Nick Trenholme, Curate of St Mary’s Bozeat who took the service.
The Air Scouts were captured in action by the Northant’s Telegraph with the photo illustrating Air Scouts are ‘prepared to rise above the rest’ …as our flag bearer completed the 2 mile route supporting the flag with a broken wrist!
Northampton police’s twitter feed also showed our Air Scout Leaders at the back of the parade as they were given the responsible position of rear guard to ensure all the children taking part were safe and well!
ANZAC Day Centenary Commemoration
Saturday, 26th April 2015
On Saturday 26th April the Air Scouts were honoured to be asked to attend a service to commemorate ANZAC day’s centenary at Towcester Road Cemetery, Northampton.
The ceremony marked 100 years since Australian and New Zealand service personnel landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula during the First World War.
Attendees included the High Sheriff and the deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire along with the deputy Major of Northampton and representatives of the Australian and New Zealand High Commission as well as the Royal British Legion.
Clint meets John Griff at BBC Radio Northampton
Wednesday,18th March 2015
Clint was invited to BBC Radio Northampton to tell them all about founding our new Troop of Air Scouts at Sywell Aerodrome. John Griff and Clint chatted live on air for 20 minutes informing the audience all about our new opportunity for Northamptonshire’s youth to learn about Aviation combined with traditional Scouting skills.
Extra, Extra … read all about it….
Saturday, 14th March 2015
Northamptonshires Extra Newspaper featured a long article about the launch of 1st Sywell Air Scouts.
Northampton’s Chronicle and Echo feature Air Scouts launch
Thursday, 12th March 2015
We were delighted to see the launch of our Air Scout Troop make it into the local media raising the profile of Wellingborough District’s newest Scout troop promoting aviation for youth.
District Nighthawk
Saturday, 7th March 2015
Our troop volunteers attended their Wellingborough District Scout Nighthawk event.
They ran an Aircraft recognition base that Scouts from around the District had to identify aircraft from their silhouettes.
Next year the Troop will take part in the competition which involves completing a series of Scouting related tasks at bases around the woods at night.
Be prepared to rise above the rest
Early March 2015
Great news!!!
We have been given permission to marshal the Chief Scout's - Bear Grylls, helicopter at the county
"Bear in the Air" Event in May!!!
1st Sywell Air Scouts -
Be prepared to rise above the rest