Register

Petition Aims To Let Girl Scouts Fly

An Ambassador Scout has launched a campaign to persuade the Girl Scouts of America to change their no-fly policy.

The Girl Scout aviation badges are more academic, requiring the scout to do research, but no flying. [Credit: Meg Godlewski]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Girl Scouts are currently prohibited from taking flights in small aircraft as part of their aviation badges, a restriction not applied to Boy Scouts and a barrier to hands-on experience.
  • Girl Scout Ambassador and private pilot Autumn Pepper Rhodes is campaigning through her "Girls Who Soar" Gold Award project to change this policy.
  • Her petition proposes an "Aviation Exploration" badge that would include a short flight in a small aircraft, with specific safety protocols and guardian waivers, to encourage girls in aviation and address gender disparity.
See a mistake? Contact us.

One of the messages that Girl Scouts of America tries to impart is that gender does not have to be a barrier. Girl Scouts, just like Boy Scouts, have the opportunity to learn wilderness skills, perform community service and learn about science and technology. 

There is, however, one thing Boy Scouts are allowed to do that Girl Scouts are not: fly in small aircraft as part of an aviation badge.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE