A GROUP of Scouts from Verwood was among young aviators who took to the skies above Dorset for an adventure-packed weekend.

Six youngsters from 2nd Verwood joined 18 other scouts from across the county to gain three highly prized badges and learned to fly two seater planes out of Henstridge airfield, near Shaftesbury.

During the fifth annual aviation camp for scouts they had to master the basic knowledge needed to be a co-pilot.

They then stepped into one of the eight planes brought in especially by members of STRUT, a group of enthusiasts who enable young people to experience flying in a light aircraft.

They were also taught basic navigation skills, reading their route using landmarks and key points before learning about meterology and how it can affect a pilot’s decision.

Each was assigned a pilot and had each set their course taking them via King Alfred’s Tower to Longleat, turning north west to Frome and then south west towards Wincanton before plotting their course back to base.

Once back on the ground they visited the Dorset Air Ambulance crew on the same airfield and were shown the variety of aircraft in the hangars.

One plane, a Streek Shadow Microlite capable of travelling at 140mph, showed them that disability is no hinderance as the controls have been adapted for wheelchair users.