Future flight lab
You’ll need
- A4 paper
- Pens or pencils
- Pictures of aviation technology (optional)
- Access to the internet (optional)
- Devices with internet (optional)
- Future flight lab design template (printed copies for one each or per group)
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There's also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
- Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
- Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.
Planning and setting up this activity
- Make sure there are enough printouts of the template for everyone.
Running this activity
- Ask everyone to think of a piece of technology used in aviation. Some examples might be drones, radars, and flight simulators. You can provide more detailed examples if needed.
- You may wish to show pictures of different pieces of aviation technology.
- Tell everyone they are going to invent something to help with aviation. This could be a device, a system, or an aircraft. It might solve a problem, or it might just be for fun.
- People can work by themselves or get into groups.
- Some things to think about are:
- Who it is for, such as passengers, pilots, or emergency services
- Its purpose, for example to help pilots and crew, for deliveries, to help scientists, or just for fun
- How it works and what features it has
- Whether it solves any problems, such as noise, accessibility, speed, or helping the environment
- Where it goes, and how it gets there, such as using a runway
- Everyone should draw their design and label it as needed. They could even craft or make a model of it.
- Set up a panel to judge the inventions. This could act as the UK Civil Aviation Authority and include adult volunteers, parents, or carers.
- Each person or group should pitch their invention to the rest of the group.
- Allow others to ask questions if they wish.
- At the end, the panel can choose a winner for best invention. They could also give out additional prizes, such as funniest invention, most likely to happen, best eco-design, and so on.
- Digital cockpit displays: Digital displays replace traditional analogue instruments, providing pilots with a wealth of information in a clear and organised manner.
- In-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi: Passengers now have access to a wide range of entertainment options and internet connectivity.
- Lightweight materials: Aircraft are increasingly using carbon composites, making them lighter, more fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly.
- De-icing systems: Aircraft have technology to prevent ice build-up on wings and other surfaces, which is crucial for safe flying in cold weather.
- Heads-up display (HUD): Some cockpits have transparent displays that show key flight info on the windscreen, so pilots can keep their eyes forward.
- Turbulence detection systems: Some modern aircraft can detect turbulence ahead and adjust their route or alert the crew, making flights smoother.
- Autopilot systems: Modern autopilot systems can control the aircraft during different phases of flight, reducing pilot workload and improving safety.
- Jet engines: Advanced jet engines are designed to be more powerful, quieter, and fuel-efficient, helping planes fly faster and further with less environmental impact.
- GPS navigation: Planes now use Global Positioning System (GPS) for incredibly accurate navigation, which helps with safer and more efficient flight paths.
- Noise reduction technology: Aircraft are now being designed with quieter engines and better soundproofing to reduce noise for both passengers and people on the ground.
- Mobile apps and boarding passes: Airlines now offer apps that show your boarding gate, baggage info, seat number, and even allow you to order food before take-off.
Reflection
This activity was all about the future of aviation. Which of the modern technologies used in aviation had you heard of? Were there any you didn’t know about? Had you used any of the examples mentioned? Why do you think they came about? There’s always new inventions happening, often to make things better or to solve a problem. Sometimes they might just be for fun. What did you invent? What was it like trying to create your invention? What problem did you try to solve? What was the hardest part? Now, think about everyone else’s inventions. Which one did you like the most? Which one can you see being most likely to happen?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.
- Online safety
Supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our online safety or bullying guidance. The NSPCC offers more advice and guidance, too. If you want to know more about specific social networks and games, Childnet has information and safety tips for apps. You can also report anything that’s worried you online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. As always, if you’ve got concerns about a young person’s welfare, including their online experiences, follow the Yellow Card to make a report.
To make this activity easier: Allow young people to work in larger groups and provide examples of existing aviation technology for inspiration.
To make this activity harder: Limit materials or time for designing and encourage them to solve a specific, real-world aviation problem.
You could adapt this activity by providing flexible participation options, such as working in pairs or small groups, offering quiet spaces for those who may feel overwhelmed, and allowing participants to focus on drawing or modelling instead of verbal pitching if preferred. Visual supports, step-by-step instructions, and clear examples can help those who process information differently, while extra time, breaks, or alternative ways to present ideas, like using a poster, model, or digital tool, can ensure everyone can take part fully. Encouraging roles within groups that match individual strengths, such as researcher, designer, or presenter, helps all participants contribute meaningfully and comfortably.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
If you enjoyed this activity, why not try one of our other air activities such as Airfield construction.