Aviation and Drones Program

Mecklenburg County Council · Scouting America

Aviation and Drones Program

After an incredible year of soaring success with our Aviation and Drone programs, we’re excited to unveil the official 2026 Aviation & Drone Events Calendar—packed with hands-on educational experiences, discovery flights, simulators, museum days, drone challenges, and more! From first-time flyers to future aerospace engineers, your Scouts will have unforgettable opportunities to explore cutting-edge technology, build real skills, and ignite potentially lifelong passions. So, buckle up—2026 is shaping up to be our biggest, boldest year in aviation yet, and you won’t want to miss a single event!

Get ready for takeoff!

January 31: Winter Camp Aviation Merit Badge Day

Our long-running Winter Camp Aviation Day continues to be a cold-weather favorite, delivering big excitement at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport airport! Scouts dive into hands-on ground school, flight simulators, and drone flying—all led by our legendary counselor Mr. Tim Beavers, a former United States Air Force pilot and current captain with United Airlines. His real-world stories from the cockpit bring aviation to life in a powerful and inspiring way, making this one of the most anticipated and memorable programs of the winter season.

March 22: Aviation Day at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum

One of the marquee highlights of the year will be the Aviation Day at the incredible Sullenberger Aviation Museum—a fast-paced, hands-on adventure your Scout will be talking about for months! Scouts will rotate through interactive stations including a guided museum tour, real-world flight ground school, immersive flight simulators, building and flying balsa-wood airplanes, and live drone flying experiences. It’s a full day of learning by doing that brings the excitement of aviation to life in the most unforgettable way.

May 9: 4th Annual DroneFest

Another high-energy, family-friendly event to feature is the 4th Annual DroneFest, a must-attend celebration for aviation and drone enthusiasts of all ages. This action-packed day includes hands-on drone flying, a drone license training class, booths from aviation and public-safety partners (including the FAA and CMPD), a helicopter landing, raffles with drones and other prizes, and even an all-you-can-eat BBQ cookout. Designed to be welcoming, educational, and fun, DroneFest is a fantastic way for Scouts and their families to explore the fast-growing world of drones while connecting with the broader aviation community in Charlotte.

June-July: Aviation Merit Badge at Camp Grimes

Our Summer Camp Aviation Program takes high-adventure to a whole new altitude with an action-packed week of ground school, flight simulators, and hands-on drone flying right at camp. The grand finale is an unforgettable visit to a nearby airport where Scouts will tour the facilities, conduct a real pre-flight inspection of an aircraft, and then take to the skies on an actual discovery flight. It’s the perfect blend of education, adventure, and pure awe—an experience your Scout will remember for a lifetime.

September: Drones & Aviation Exploring Night

Our first-in-the-country drone Exploring post is the perfect on-ramp for high school students ready to take their passion for flight to the next level! Hosted by the Charlotte Police & Fire Training Academy and in partnership with the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, this high-energy evening brings together drone flying, aviation exploration, and real-world inspiration in one dynamic experience. Whether your teen dreams of piloting drones, flying airplanes, or simply wants to explore the world of aviation with like-minded peers, this is the place to connect, learn, and get inspired—with monthly meetings (on the 4th Thursday of the month) which keep the excitement going all year long!

November: Warbirds over Monroe Air Show

Another crowd-favorite to add to your calendar is Warbirds Over Monroe, hosted at Charlotte Monroe Executive Airport—an adrenaline-packed air show that brings living history roaring to life! Scouts and families will see legendary WWII and vintage military aircraft up close, watch heart-pounding flight demonstrations, meet real pilots, and explore static aircraft displays on the ramp. It’s an awe-inspiring, family-friendly aviation experience that perfectly blends education, patriotism, and pure excitement in one unforgettable day.