Focus on Competition
Technical Director: Steve Kaluf
In my April column I wrote about the current trend of complicated aircraft being sold ready-built and the problems that can arise when a relatively inexperienced modeler improperly installs equipment in these models. I received a few nice messages and phone calls about that column. One came from a hobby shop owner, and what he had to say is not new, but it does raise good points that many newcomers may not consider.
Your local hobby shop is a great place to gain knowledge—just ask questions. It used to be that the hobby shop was where we all purchased everything for our modeling needs. We hung out at the shop; many experienced customers helped less-experienced customers by offering free advice. That is less common now, because hobby items are also available through large outlets at low prices. That shift creates headaches (and reduced profits) for many shops, but that's another story. The important point is that many local retail shops can still provide helpful service.
Don’t go into a shop with a model you purchased at a big-box discount chain and expect the shop owner to spend an inordinate amount of time on it. However, if you tell the owner that this was a first step and you intend to be a future customer, a good shop owner will usually be happy to help. Even better: if you purchase your supplies from them, most will bend over backward to assist.
That said, some stores are more knowledgeable than others. Not long ago I visited a large, well-stocked national chain store to get a part that was behind the counter. The counter person had no idea what it was, so I had to point it out. I’m sure someone in that store would have known the part if I hadn’t. In this case, though, the employee made no effort to find someone who did. The lesson: find a knowledgeable person. If the counter staff don’t seem to know what they’re talking about, look for someone who does. Fortunately, most shops are staffed by very experienced people (either that or the store won’t stay open very long). Use these folks to help you. Join a local club and ask club members for assistance. Another option: call AMA—we’re here to help.
Broadband Over Powerlines (BPL) continues to be examined by AMA. If you recall from my last column, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was issued on the topic. This NPRM appeared in the Federal Register on March 17—the date that starts the clock for submitting comments.
By the time you read this, the AMA Frequency Committee will have met again at the Toledo Weak Signals trade show. The committee, with the help of our attorney, will discuss what our response to this action should be.
As I’ve stated in previous columns, check the AMA website for the most up-to-the-minute news on this topic: www.modelaircraft.org.
Til next time... MA
Note
No continuation of the "Focus on Competition - 2004/06" article appears on this scanned page. The page contains:
- Competition Directory and contest coordinator listings
- FAI World Records and AMA National Records
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
