No country club few issues ago ran letter modeler complained about some rather rude treatment received visit Florida welcome mat certainly rolled out him naturally didnt appreciate too much commented hoped isolated incidentthat may have some sort misunderstanding judging reader reaction may case Its amazing saddening since letter comment appeared have received startling number nearly identical horror stories across country scenario nearly always same relatively inexperienced modeler seeking help shunted aside feel own flying time importantoften because practicing contest lesser flier gets little no help mention dregs flying time shoved out side door either discouraged gives up altogether know nothing about whats happening wrote reader Pacific Northwest should get away desk once awhile find out whats going real world sort thing happening over country [A particular club] overloaded big egos cant possibly having fun solution Ten us located farmer [who] letting us use pastures Its little rough. huge space no egos politics involved Whats going have such strength numbers can afford arrogantly exclude someone ranks As excluders didnt someone once help learn fly can forget much quickly know clubs have full training programs actively seek new recruits idea group would take such elitist attitudeabout hobby after allis enough give aeromodeling blackest black eyes Fortunately some clear-headed folks out received letter member Florida club question read part present field difficultldistasteful incident occurred.and silently cringed happened next meeting key members forced president office .I later found same person forced office New York City club few years earlier hobby supposed aboutfun friendships writer also thanked us publishing letter indicated would help rid club another undesired officer didnt intend help anyone clean house its nice know positive effect initially negative situation wonder though writer silently cringed didnt someone step forward stop such boorish behavior happened overwhelming majority modelers sympathetic fellow flier trouble will go out way help anyoneeven fellow competitor recent US Outdoor Championships Muncie largest free flight contest country provided excellent example Alabamas Charles Caton running off usual string max flights suffered momentary lapse concentration hobby supposed about fun friendships reached across prop arc engine started woeden prop fractured knuckle broke fingernail two cut Charles hand six stitches worth mess Fellow competitors immediately came rescue ran ice took care model got directions fastest route doctor another drove Caton get medical attention Charles returned flight line later afternoon hand heavily bandaged protected rubber surgical glove Now handling model would problem mention fact during time lost others passed score time running out Again no problem because competitorsincluding some ahead him standingshelped him out Two three people helped ground support preparing model flight another did retrieving duty Just add bit drama lightning thunder too far away maklng real question whether potential winning flights could made before storm hit Despite problems perhaps because help Charles proceeded calmly put up flights necessary win event beat hasty retreat rain began helped Charles pack up equipment extra points got winning event enough give him Power Category Championship later week edging out Joe Clawsonone people helped Charles earlier week lost C points because championship went down last flight five-day contest Joe would have won easily helped fnend Just after accident Joe said R Damn Charles wanted beat like Thats what Ill remember about N contest said Caton Clawsons good people Thats true E modelers what can about feel theyre cut abovewho have bullys R mentality couldnt care less suffers As competitionoriented modeler Im especially sensitive complaints about contest fliers behavior Sometimes perceived high-strung rude inconsiderate dont understand special needs part hobby better favored someone isnt trying perfect maneuvers greater speed longer duration its just different Its same sort attitude seen recenfly about World Cup Americans believe soccer inherently inferior because its big sport almost anywhere else world soccer sport Like sport fliers soccer fans have sheer numbers overwhelm competition Sport fliers backbone hobby path follow believe wishes should respected competition brings advances hobby market modeling equipment would mighty small contest fliers catered Arrogance elitism hobby must kidding Jim Haught Managing Editor October 1994 3