Education Through Aviation
Bill Pritchett, Education Director
"The one way the world hasn't changed: Teaching is still the most important job." — George Lucas
I'll start this month with who we teach and why. I picked the who-and-why approach because it continues to amaze me how some members think that if it isn't what they're doing or have done, it's wrong. Many of you will immediately jump to the sUAS topic, but that's not always the case.
I recently received an email that, to say the least, was critical. One comment jumped off the page: "To put electric power systems in models is invalid when none are in full-size passenger airliners."
Invalid? What flying experience or background would create that kind of statement? NEFI, the National Electric Fly-In, just wrapped up here at the AMA flying site, and as always it's fun to see others having electric fun. One observation seems appropriate: attendance was down, and I think it's for a simple reason. Nearly every AMA club now has a large presence of electric-powered platforms—at some clubs, they are the majority. What chance at fun does someone who calls electric power invalid have? None.
So, here's a classic example of whom we educate. When you fly at your club—or anywhere for that matter—respect what others have chosen. It's quite possible they would like to do what you do but don't know how.
Share the wealth! A great place to start is to honor others by asking how their setup works. Remember how much fun it is for you to discuss what you've chosen to fly? So it is with others—especially those convinced their choice is the only choice. We all know someone in our club like this. Be the one to step forward in a positive way. After all, it is valid to put electric power systems in models.
From another reader came the following:
"FPV and automated flight will not doom model aviation, as you point out, but they will bring a much greater change to the hobby than other past innovations in that they make model aviation useful for real work. They are moving model aviation from 'pastime' to 'work time.'"
A few points about commercial use and onboard choices:
- The commercial use of models has always been a no-no from an AMA insurance-coverage perspective.
- Many of the onboard choices available now—cameras, autopilots, GPS navigation, etc.—are not limited to FPV.
- In fact, FPV flown within the AMA safety code (within visual line of sight) would be a limited choice for commercial use.
- Multirotors are popular because you don't need to know how to fly traditional airplanes to operate them. If you can play solitaire on your laptop, you can operate a multirotor that has been properly set up.
I think we all have a preference as to what we fly, but more than ever we need to recognize what others choose to do. After all of the analysis is complete, we're still just flying small platforms and having fun doing so.
One member wrote to point out the potential change (not death this time!) AMA engagement with the sUAS community would have for remaining members, or more specifically, those who fly what he thinks is the proper choice. Here's my response:
We agree with your assessment to a degree—this will change some aspects of model aviation—but our engagement with the recreational use of any sUAS is now, and always will be, our primary focus. Folks who want to get into commercial applications and come to the AMA for training or endorsement is a good thing—better something than nothing—operating within our safety guidelines (not flying over people, property, beyond line of sight, etc.). Although there are many variations on a theme here, those things remain paramount in the core of safe flight for any sUAS.
At the end of the day, it's important to recognize that, as with any activity, there will be those who use little or poor judgment. We've already seen that with traditional model aviation. Those who choose to operate within our guidelines will benefit from our resources.
Add to that the fact that if we don't engage this community, someone else will. It makes sense to engage, but on our terms.
Maybe this conundrum was with us long ago. As Walt Whitman once wrote, "Be curious, not judgmental."
And then there's my simple mantra: Fly and have fun!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
