Education Through Aviation
Bill Pritchett | [email protected]
"I never said most of the things I said." — Yogi Berra
Focus and Multitasking
I've always enjoyed what Yogi had to say. His thoughts make us pause a moment and think.
I also think this is one of the single greatest things about participating in model aviation. We hear so much today about multitasking. Really? Can we really do multiple things at the same time and do them well? I'm not convinced. In fact, I doubt it.
We try—some even take pride in their abilities to do so, and maybe some can multitask to some extent—but do them well?
Modeling is about focusing. Focusing on the plans, the build, the maiden flight, and the tuning and tweaking for improved performance. Modeling is about focusing on the moment—not the next, but now. It's about focusing on nothing else in life that always seems to speak to us with that inner voice, but focusing on right now, this very moment in time.
What a great feeling to be free of the mental weight of everyday life concerns and to really put our minds around something else, something we enjoy so much, something you just can't do well when distracted! Multitasking? No, at least not when we're with our models!
Others feel the same. "The focus and the concentration and the attention to detail that flying takes is a kind of meditation. I find it restful and engaging, and other things slip away." That quote is from Harrison Ford.
Pax River Club and Al Burton
I traveled to visit great friend and flier Archie Stafford and his Pax River club on my way to FAA meetings at the Joe Nall Fly-In. It worked out that the weekend before Nall was the club's open house.
Arch is the club president and he hosted a great event that featured a superb noontime demo and buddy-box flying for kids and adults all day. I would estimate that more than 100 buddy-box flights took place that day.
I have to report that the Pax River club has an animal ... a flying, teaching, buddy-boxing animal. His name is Al Burton. Al never left the buddy-box area. Not once. His energy, enthusiasm, and easy-going approach gave a lot of people a thrill that day. Everyone who went through that experience left with a smile on his or her face.
It's all about that guy, that individual, that single person who's willing to do a difficult job. Many of you have had beginning fliers on a buddy box and know the tremendous amount of effort it takes. Al was simply amazing in his approach, so the results were amazing as well!
I was intrigued that he used a Goldberg Tiger 60 as his trainer airplane. We often see the typical trainer with the Kadet planform used, but the Tiger really worked great. Al had set up the right surface throws and it was easy for everyone to see. Nice work Pax River club and great job, Al Burton!
Naval Connections and Tom Huff
Although the Pax River club is typical in many ways, it's also very special. Many of the members are involved in naval remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) work at the Pax River Naval Air Station.
One particular member is very special—especially to the AMA. Naval Captain Tom Huff, who has more than 600 carrier landings to his credit and currently heads naval air training, gets a huge smile on his face when he's flying a model airplane. Tom went through helicopter school just to say he could, then did the same with model helicopters. He's an accomplished pilot, and handles model airplanes like the former pattern pilot he is.
Archie and I decided to invoke the tactic of peer pressure on Tom and see if we can get him back in the pattern game. Wish us luck! You couldn't ask for a nicer guy to fly with.
Ron Hubbard — Teaching Model Aviation
Ron Hubbard was instrumental in starting the Central Arkansas Model Aviation Association (CAMAA).
His students were interested in the model airplanes hanging in the classroom, so they began building and flying at school. Within a few years it had evolved into some students building their own designs. Most of them flew pretty well.
In 1990 Ron changed the class from shop to a computer-based "technology education" class and slowed down on building large nitro-powered airplanes. The technology class students did, however, study both civilian and military uses for RC and started to build smaller nitro- and electric-powered aircraft.
In 2005 Ron's class was moved from the high school to the middle school and changed from a yearlong class to one semester. Younger students and less class time required another change to keep model aviation in the curriculum. Ron's solution? Now, all of the students study flight, RC, RPVs, and utilize available RC simulators in the classroom to experience RC flight.
Each year a few students want to take it to the next level and Ron helps them find airplanes and RC equipment that local fliers are not using any more.
Ron says he has lost count of how many students he has taught to fly, but every time he goes to the field or a fun-fly he will see at least one former student.
Ron Hubbard is proud to share our hobby with all these kids and takes great pride in their aviation accomplishments.
Ron, we're proud of you. On behalf of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, thanks!
Reflections on One Year
I'm finishing this column on the one-year anniversary of my move to this position with the AMA. I think it's critical for all of you to know how hard your elected leadership, appointed volunteers, and individuals in positions ranging from club presidents to district associate vice presidents work on your behalf. I had no clue, and would guess many of you don't either.
It's been great to meet so many remarkable people who share the love of flying models. To witness so many who go that extra mile in their efforts to support model aviation has truly been a personal pleasure for me.
To all of you who share what you know, don't stop. I suggested last month that you "get crazy." Go ahead—get crazy. Al Burton and Ron Hubbard got crazy. It works for them!
Fly and have fun!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
