Aviation Merit Badge

Five requirements, with the eight explanations of requirement 1 and the five parts of requirement 5 drawn as steps, and the build-and-fly of requirement 2, the two flight operations of requirement 3 and the visit of requirement 4 drawn as questions.

6 steps (25 parts inside them). 12 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About Aviation Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the 3 questions at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering 3 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 6

1 step

1. Aviation basics and mechanics of flight Requirement

Eight parts, (a) to (h).
8 parts

Stage 2 of 6

1 step

2. Principles of flight: build and fly. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice: a model FPG-9 with a competition, a rubber-band balsa airplane, or a powered model aircraft or drone with TRUST certification.
3 parts
- 2(a). Build a model FPG-9 and organize a competition Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 2(b). Build and fly a rubber-band driven balsa wood airplane Optional May not apply
- 2(c). A powered model aircraft or drone, with TRUST certification Optional May not apply Often forgotten

Stage 3 of 6

1 step

3. Flight operations. Do TWO Requirement

The badge states the choice: two of a simulator flight, a preflight inspection, maintenance, an aeronautical chart, and a discovery flight.
5 parts
- 3(a). Fly a set course in flight simulator software Optional May not apply
- 3(b). A preflight inspection of an aircraft, under supervision Optional May not apply
- 3(c). Aircraft maintenance, and a maintenance schedule Optional May not apply
- 3(d). Read an aeronautical chart and work out a heading Optional May not apply
- 3(e). A discovery flight, with your parent or guardian's permission Optional May not apply Often forgotten

Stage 4 of 6

1 step

4. Airport operations: a visit. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice: an airport, an FAA facility, a military aviation facility, or an aviation museum or air show.
4 parts
- 4(a). Visit an airport, then report Optional May not apply
- 4(b). Visit an FAA facility, then report Optional May not apply
- 4(c). Visit a military aviation facility, then report Optional May not apply
- 4(d). Visit an aviation museum or attend an air show, then report Optional May not apply

Stage 5 of 6

1 step

5. Personal and professional aviation opportunities Requirement

Five parts, (a) to (e).
5 parts

Stage 6 of 6

1 step

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Aviation basics and mechanics of flight, 2. Principles of flight: build and fly. Do ONE and 3 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.