Scouting America

Aviation Merit Badge

Digital Resource Guide

Define “aircraft.” Describe three kinds of aircraft today, and their typical uses.

An aircraft is defined as any vehicle that can fly in the air under the control of an operator (or “pilot”). It can be something big, like an airplane, or something smaller, like a drone. Aircraft use wings, engines, and/or rotors to lift off the ground and stay in the sky. Some aircraft, like helicopters, use spinning blades (called rotors) to lift, while airplanes use fixed wings and engines to generate the thrust needed for flying. There are different types of aircraft, such as:

Airplanes

These are the most common type of aircraft. They have fixed wings and engines that push them through the air.

Helicopters

These have rotating blades (called rotors) that allow them to hover, fly up, down, and move in any direction.

Drones

These are generally smaller, remote-controlled aircraft used for various tasks like photography or carrying small items.

Hot Air Balloons

These use heated air to make the balloon float in the sky.

In summary

An aircraft is anything that a pilot can fly under control, whether it’s for traveling, carrying cargo, or even just for fun!

In summary

An aircraft is anything that a pilot can fly under control, whether it’s for traveling, carrying cargo, or even just for fun!

Which aircraft can be operated remotely?

Now that you know about the different types of aircraft – check out how aviation started, and has evolved over time!

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.