Federal Aviation Administration and Allegheny County Airport Authority officials will celebrate National Aviation Day on Aug. 19, by welcoming scout troops from across the region to Allegheny County Airport (AGC) in West Mifflin to earn their aviation merit badges.
Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops will participate in various activities from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m. The media is invited to attend. In addition to Airport Authority officials, STAT MedEvac, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Corporate Air, Voyager Jet, Pittsburgh Flight Training Center and other groups will conduct tours with the scouts at the airport. Activities will include talking with pilots and mechanics, exploring aircraft, observing inspections and maintenance and runway security operations, as well as building model airplanes, all of which help fulfill requirements for aviation merit badges.
“Allegheny County Airport has been an important part of the community for 85 years, and we are pleased to host local scouts for National Aviation Day,” CEO Christina Cassotis said. “These young people are among the next generation of aviation leaders, and we hope to show them a variety of exciting careers within the industry.”
AGC supports approximately 60,000 takeoffs and landings per year, and outpaces several airports that handle commercial flights in Pennsylvania. AGC supports a high volume of private business and corporate-related activity, community events and maintenance and flight instruction.
In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed August 19 to be National Aviation Day. The day coincides with the birthday of Orville Wright, who piloted the Wright Flyer. He and his brother Wilbur are given credit for building the world’s first successful airplane with aircraft controls that enabled them to steer the plane.
