Air Navigator Scout Interest Badge

The Air Navigator Scout Interest Badge challenges Scouts to discover how pilots find their way through the skies. Building on the skills learned in the Air Planner Scoutcraft Badge, Scouts will develop practical navigation abilities using aviation charts, navigation techniques, weather information, and electronic systems. Through planning routes, solving navigation challenges, and applying real-world aviation skills, Scouts will experience how navigators make decisions to safely guide aircraft from one destination to another.

Badge Requirements

Air Navigator

1. Prerequisite Knowledge and Training
   Have passed the requirements for the following Scoutcraft Badges and be prepared to demonstrate any of those requirements:
   • Aviation Skills Scoutcraft Badge
   • Air Planner Scoutcraft Badge
2. Planning a VFR Cross-Country Flight
   Plan a simulated VFR (Visual Flight Rules) cross-country flight using an aeronautical chart and demonstrate your ability to:
   1. Identify the departure point, destination, planned route, and intermediate waypoints.
   2. Identify at least three significant landmarks or navigation features along the planned route (e.g. towns, rivers, mountains, airfields, or controlled airspace boundaries).
   3. Measure the approximate distance of the planned route.
   4. Identify at least three factors that may affect the flight plan, such as weather conditions, terrain, airspace restrictions, aircraft limitations, or navigation challenges.
   5. Explain why an alternate aerodrome may be selected when planning a flight.
   6. Explain why you selected the planned route and identify any changes you would make if conditions changed.
3. Altitude and Flight Levels
   1. Demonstrate your understanding of aviation altitude by explaining how pilots use different altitude references during take-off, climb, cruising, approach, and landing, and identify which reference would be used during each stage of the flight.
   2. Explain the purpose of the following altitude references and how they are used in aviation:
      • Altitude
      • Height
      • Transition altitude
      • Transition level
      • Flight level
      • QNH
      • QFE
      • QNE
   3. Explain the difference between altitude and flight level, how the semi-circular rule is used to select an appropriate cruising altitude or flight level, and why standardisation is important for maintaining safe separation between aircraft.
   4. Explain how incorrect altitude information could affect flight safety, including aircraft separation and navigation accuracy.
4. Aviation Charts and Route Planning
   Using a VFR aeronautical chart, plot a planned route between two locations and demonstrate your ability to:
   1. Identify aviation features and symbols relevant to the planned route.
   2. Measure the distance of the planned route between the departure point and destination.
   3. Determine the true heading required to follow the planned route.
   4. Explain how wind can affect the planned route of an aircraft and cause the aircraft to drift from its intended track.
   5. Demonstrate how a pilot can adjust the aircraft heading to compensate for wind drift and maintain the planned track.
5. Finding Your Position
   Demonstrate how a pilot determines their position during a VFR flight using map reading, visual references, and basic navigation aids.
   1. Explain how a pilot can use two or more visual navigation references or basic radio navigation aids to determine an aircraft's approximate position.
   2. Use a VFR aeronautical chart and given navigation information (such as landmarks, bearings, or basic VOR/NDB information) to determine an aircraft's approximate position.
   3. Explain how visual navigation and basic radio navigation aids can be used together to confirm an aircraft's position during flight.
   4. Complete a simple plotting exercise to determine the aircraft's approximate position from the information provided.
6. Time and Flight Planning
   Using a flight planning scenario provided by the examiner, determine whether a planned flight can be completed before sunset, allowing sufficient daylight for safe navigation, and state your conclusion with justification.
   Explain:
   1. The difference between local time and UTC/GMT and why aviation uses UTC for navigation and flight planning.
   2. How sunrise and sunset times can affect flight planning, including departure time, route planning, and safety considerations.
   3. Why accurate timekeeping is important in aviation navigation, including timing checkpoints, estimating arrival times, and maintaining safe flight planning.
7. Aviation Emergencies and Communication
   1. Explain the purpose of international aviation emergency communication procedures and how they help coordinate responses when an aircraft is in difficulty or overdue.
   2. Explain how the following stages are used to classify an aircraft in difficulty:
      • INCERFA.
      • ALERFA.
      • DETRESFA.
   3. Given a simple flight scenario where an aircraft is overdue or uncontactable, describe how the situation may progress through these stages.
   4. Explain why clear and accurate communication is critical in aviation emergencies, particularly when reporting position, fuel status, and aircraft condition.
8. Electronic Navigation
   1. Explain how electronic navigation systems such as GPS, VOR, DME, and ADF/NDB can assist pilots in determining position and maintaining a planned route during flight.
   2. Describe how the following systems help pilots with navigation:
      • GPS
      • VOR
      • ADF/NDB
      • DME
   3. Given a simple flight scenario, explain how a pilot could use electronic navigation systems together with map reading and visual references to confirm position or correct track.
   4. Explain why pilots use electronic navigation systems alongside traditional navigation methods such as map reading and visual navigation.
9. GPS and Satellite Navigation
   Explain how GPS assists pilots with navigation by demonstrating your understanding of:
   1. The three parts of the GPS system and how they work together to provide navigation information.
   2. How satellites are used to determine an aircraft’s position.
   3. Why multiple satellites are needed to provide accurate position and altitude information.
   4. Factors that can affect GPS accuracy, such as terrain, signal interference, atmospheric conditions, or equipment limitations.
   5. Use a GPS device or mapping application to locate your position and compare it with a known reference point, explaining any differences and how accuracy may be affected.
   6. Use GPS information alongside a map or chart to confirm your position during a simulated navigation exercise.
10. Wind Effects and Aircraft Movement
    1. Demonstrate how wind affects aircraft navigation by describing how it can change an aircraft’s track and ground speed.
    2. Explain the relationship between the following factors and how they affect an aircraft's movement over the ground:
       • Aircraft heading
       • True air speed
       • Wind direction and speed
       • Ground speed
       • Aircraft track
    3. Complete a navigation exercise using a chart or scenario provided by the examiner to demonstrate how wind can cause an aircraft to drift off track. Show how corrections are made to return to the planned route and explain the actions taken.
11. Applied Navigation Challenge
    Using an aeronautical chart, complete a simulated aviation navigation exercise based on information provided by the examiner, including aircraft details, a planned route, and weather and wind conditions.
    Demonstrate your ability to:
    1. Calculate the route distance using an aeronautical chart.
    2. Identify any track errors by comparing the planned route with the simulated aircraft position.
    3. Apply corrections to return to the planned track using appropriate heading adjustments.
    4. Calculate estimated arrival time based on distance, speed, and wind conditions.
    5. Calculate the fuel required for the journey based on aircraft performance and planned flight time.
    6. Explain the decisions made during the navigation exercise and justify any changes to the planned route or calculations.

Recommended Age Range: The Air Navigator Scout Interest Badge is recommended for Scouts aged 14 to 17 years. The badge introduces more advanced aviation concepts, including chart work, navigation calculations, and flight planning. It requires Scouts to apply mathematical thinking, problem-solving, and independent decision-making while building on the foundation developed through the Air Planner Scoutcraft Badge.

Badge Examiner: Training and examination for this badge should be conducted by a suitably qualified individual who has relevant experience or formal training in the specific field of expertise being assessed.

The ideal examiner should be an experienced licensed pilot, aviation instructor, air traffic controller, flight operations personnel, aviation professional, or experienced Adult Leader with suitable aviation knowledge.

The examiner should assess practical understanding and application of navigation skills rather than only theoretical knowledge.

Note to the Examiner:

• Assessment should focus on the Scout’s understanding and practical application of navigation skills rather than theoretical knowledge alone.
• Navigation activities should use realistic scenarios and encourage Scouts to apply skills such as route planning, chart reading, position fixing, and decision-making.
• Aeronautical charts, GPS devices, mapping applications, and other navigation tools may be used where appropriate to support practical learning.
• Scouts should be encouraged to explain their reasoning and decisions during navigation exercises, rather than only providing final answers.
• Calculations should assess understanding of navigation methods and principles; minor calculation errors should not prevent completion where the Scout demonstrates correct understanding.

Safe From Harm: Whilst completing the requirements for this badge, Scouts must not be placed in hazardous or dangerous situations under any circumstances. All activities must comply with SCOUTS South Africa Safe from Harm framework and be supervised by responsible adults. Participation should offer meaningful learning or service experiences while ensuring the Scout's safety and well-being at all times.

Badge Requirements in printable PDF format

• Air Navigator Scout Interest Badge (PDF)

What You Need First

The following badges must be completed before undertaking this badge:

• Air Planner Scoutcraft Badge

Last Update

July 2026

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