News release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority:
Smith Field Airport hosted Boy Scouts of America aviation merit badge event
(August 13, 2015) – For the sixth consecutive year, Boy Scouts from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio spent the day at Smith Field Airport (SMD) earning their aviation merit badge. To earn the badge, Scouts had to perform a number of aviation-related activities, including learning about careers in aviation, airport operations, how to pre-flight an aircraft, and how to build a paper airplane. Scouts also toured the airfield, saw aircraft demos, and took a flight with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Ninety-one Scouts registered for the event held last Saturday, August 15th.
“The airport authority takes pride in its focus on education at Smith Field, ” said Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. “This event has proven successful every year and we always welcome the opportunity to educate young people on the importance of aviation.”
The aviation merit badge is one of more than 130 badges a Boy Scout may earn. There are 10 requirements for earning the badge, all of which can be fulfilled at the SMD event. Visit www.scouting.org for a detailed listing of the requirements and to find out more about the Boy Scouts of America.
About Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) was created in 1985 and is responsible for managing the Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field. In the last few years, FWACAA has undertaken an aggressive improvement plan at SMD, which includes a newly renovated terminal and the construction of a new aircraft maintenance training facility in partnership with Ivy Tech. Improvements also include the installation of an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) in partnership with Parkview Hospital, the installation of a self-serve aviation fuel system, and various facility, electrical, storm water, and pavement improvements. The Authority is governed by a six-member board appointed by both the Mayor of Fort Wayne and the Allen County Commissioners. For more information about the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, visit https://fwairport.com/.