IN MY December 2008 column, I wrote that
no one builds anymore. It appears a few
people took that statement too literally and it
got a rise out of them. That was the reason I
wrote it, to get input.
So far the response has not been
overwhelming except for a few who took the
time to write. Yes the Free Flighters, Electric
Flyers, Glider/Slope guys, and some Control
Line, and of course Scale modelers build
from kits and even scratch build, but when
you compare the numbers of the builders to
the rest of the modelers, you would
understand why I wrote what I wrote.
Yes, I have built from scratch and from
kits and enjoyed both. I hope this will settle
the issue. In the meantime for you builders,
why not take a youngster under your wing
and show him/her another part of our hobby.
Who knows? It might just be the catalyst to
continue building.
The Green Bay Model Airplane Club, AMA
chartered club # 663, held its now-famous
local Fun Fly/Corn Roast. This has been
going on for more than 25 years, and by the
looks of the crowd that showed up, it is a
success.
Bob Bartz was good enough to furnish the
pictures. Among the highlights were buddy
box flights for the youngsters and anyone else
that wanted to try their hand at RC/flying.
And the Northern Aces Show Team
performed before the crowd.
Here is how a club gains recognition by
performing community service. The
Manitowoc Flyers Ltd., AMA chartered clun
#1008, put together a display of models that
was shown at the Rahr West Museum.
Models ranged from the traditional flying
lawnmower to a 40% Extra 260.
The display was part of the Point of View,
Aerial Photography & History of the
Manitowoc County Airport. More than a
dozen models were on display. Also in the
exhibit were aviation art and aerial
photographs. Thanks to Gene Pagel for
submitting this report.
Don Held, AMA District VII AVP,
forwarded this report from Jim Baker,
president of the Alpena Aeromodelers of
Alpena Michigan. The club invited the
community to the fly-in to see that there is
more to aeromodeling than a group of men
flying toy planes. Folks from the local
television station in Alpena attended.
This type of activity is the spark that our
hobby/sport needs in order to educate the
populace and advertise who we are and what
we do. If clubs don’t get involved with the
community then it leaves the door open for a
reason that might cause a loss of a field.
The stronger the relationship, the stronger
the bond in helping to keep the flying site.
The fly in was well attended and several
youngsters had the opportunity to handle the
transmitter for their first flight.
Jim Baker adds that getting kids involved
is a big factor. And giving them the
experience of actually flying a model aircraft
is rewarding, challenging, and fitness for the
mind. Not withstanding the feeling the
instructor has in helping the youngster with
the experience. Nice job! Alpena
Aeromodelers.
Pilots’ row is a maze of beautiful flying
machines while onlookers sit comfortably
under the new shelter.
Kevin Bey on his first flight with assistance
from club president Jim Baker.
Don Held taxis his big Carden out for a flight.
A local television personality proudly displays
her Alpena Aeromodelers T-shirt.
So here we are into another year. Hopefully
automobile gas prices will continue to stay
reasonable. It just might allow more folks to
attend fly-ins at other clubs to support our
hobby/sport.
Don’t forget, if something is going on
with your club that might be of interest to
other District VII members, send it to me. If
the shots are digital, they must be a minimum
of 300 dpi. If you send hard-copy prints, they
must be at least 4 x 6 inches.
Till next time, take a youngster to the field.
They’re our hobby/sport future and our
legacy. See you at the field. Fly safely and
have fun. C.A.V.U.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/02
Page Numbers: 177
