During the summer Andy and other members of his Boy Scout troop took an aviation merit badge course from a trained pilot who runs an aviation Explorer Post at Linden Airport. They learned about the parts of an aircraft and the basics of flight and navigation.
The lessons led up to a chance for each Scout to take to the air and help pilot the plane. On Aug. 11, 2008, it was Andy's turn along with fellow Scout Brandon to fly along with their instructor, Manny.
Rain showers cleared away and a rainbow arched across the sky just before their late-afternoon takeoff.
Once airborne, Andy took the controls as they flew across central New Jersey -- and right over his house -- to another airfield, where they touched down to refuel and switch co-pilots. On the second leg, Brandon took the controls for a time as they flew over the Hudson River and looked out at Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
The Aviation badge was one of six that Andy earned over the summer. He received them in a Court of Awards ceremony held by his Troop 33 on Oct. 6.
The other badges: Geology, Metalwork, Mammal Study, Astronomy and Fingerprinting. He earned them during a week at Somers Boy Scout Camp in July.
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