This Magic Moment An unseasonably warm March Saturday allowed number us cabin fever head out flying field brief respite what fellow modeler called vile winters chance little testing enjoy being outdoors again eight-year-old son alone section flying field Until now Robby flown simple gliders rubber-powered models Part game plan year introduce him powered flight learning start adjust engine being careful around prop arc etc built Pee Wee 30 model him learn wasnt using contests remote needle valve no timer figured would give him fewer things concerned about first him hold model engine running just let him feel thrust involved rehearsed launch model bit nervous said ready try real So fired up Pee Wee lit DT fuse carefully handed model him What happened launched modelperfectly-is something Ill never forget look wonder surprise excitement crossed face model circled upward has flown three four years enjoyed never extent reminded curator Mike Fulmer s search theme new Ehling Museum note old kit contained words oh magic Thats what Mike looking thats what saw sons eyes flight occurred long time since seen look experienced sensation flying Its easy become blase about something us have done years Whats another contest trophy new model point Its nothing yet its everything thats what comedian Gallagher has said young daughter sees things differently looks world new eyes Through sons new eyes saw joy excitement flight made dayand flying still magic joy still has feeling vacuum-bagged somewhere along pile foam epoxy fiberglass flaps about frequencies safety flying sites noise levels get impression hobby have lost sight what supposed about Are too serioustoo selfimportantto have fun model aircraft Sure its serious business manufacturers magazine editors thats pay mortgage no serious his/her approach too often hear someone disturbed about something modeling want say Hey get grip will ya still supposed hobby Its easy lose perspective next time become upset something club meeting contest fun-fly step back situation minute Judge important situation really think about reasons began flying anger still thereif magic Are too serioustoo self importantto have fun model aircraft gonemake return Enjoy skills ye developed good times youve friends youve made because enjoy flying model aircraft Let some joy Mudville after took long time reconcile competitive nature having good time flying As flies almost exclusively competition its easy fall winning isnt everything its thing words often attributed incorrectlyto Vince Lombardi knew little about winning became wrapped up trying win time burned out flying altogether decided come back different approach enjoying dayjust being out fieldcame first still try best win whatever events fly cutthroat aspect gone guess what now enjoy flying passing year dont fly 137 different events anymore dont try Grand Championship comes along Just being out field friends also enjoy flying means Arriving Jet Plane everything goes according plan August issue will contain trial column RC jet modeling Del Ellis AMA s representative Jet Pilots Association AMA 510 will author piece Reader reaction column will dictate its future type thing youd like see regular basis its important let us know receive enough favorable response will add column Radio Control Roundup section bimonthly basis C 0 R N E R Cards & Letters newly revived column Control Line Racing another fate rests hands pens readership New Contributing Editor Kenn Smith has asked input about column let us know about its content style same can true column feature magazine want hear youpro con too often hear about something youre pleased dont hear nearly enough about what like types subscriber feedback valuable planning future issues Thanks have phoned written comments column have both plenty cheers few jeers fine constructive criticism always welcome Im particularly gratified about response piece Builder Model rule seem have touched nerve thats ideas behind column spark intelligent debate about modeling issues Thanks time up Haught Managing Editor 6 Model Aviation