District VII
Bill Oberdieck, District VII Vice President; [email protected]
During my travels this year, I have been in contact with many members who are asking one particular question. This question is foremost in the minds of the Executive Council as well: What seems to be the reason for a decline in membership?
In my opinion, there is no single answer but rather a number of contributing factors. Today's lifestyle offers many different opportunities for leisure time that weren't available when I was growing up. Youngsters now have soccer, tennis, basketball, and hockey that can be played year-round at indoor facilities. Baseball and football are still active but not the way they used to be. Of course, there is the computer, where many can sit for hours playing games. When I was growing up, it was baseball in the summer, football in the fall, and hockey when the ponds froze.
Then there was aeromodeling, and we couldn't wait until spring to try out the new airplanes we had built during the winter. They were stick models with balsa propellers and a rubber-band motor that we had to wind up. I look back over my years of aeromodeling and actually feel sad for those who are getting into our hobby now because they aren't getting the same exposure I did.
There is always the hard truth we all must face: if we don't get out to publicize what we now have as a hobby and sport, there won't be anyone to take our place.
David Munzell of the Chesaning Area Model Flying Club sent in this report of the club's May Glider Challenge. There were two circles set up — a 30-foot circle and a 60-foot circle — to try to land in, as well as a timing event. The winner of the challenge was club president Tom Hanzek.
I finally had a chance to visit the Tulip City Air Force (TCAF) Giant Scale fly-in. The weather cooperated and everyone had a great time. One highlight of the show was the arrival of the Grey-Haired Hooligans, a full-scale flyby with two T-34s and a "poor man's Mustang" (Navion).
I had a great story lined up. I thought I had some good digital shots of this event, but there were no pictures on the disk, so to the TCAF I apologize.
Til next time, have fun, fly safely, and promote our hobby and sport. C.A.V.U.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
