JS: How did you get involved with model aviation?
SS: I am guessing my start is very similar with many other members; since I was a little kid I have always had the fascination with planes and loved building models. At the age of 10 while spending a summer at my grandparents, I put together a balsa and tissue rubber band Ercoupe.
I don’t recall who manufactured the kit, it was my first “build” and very much a learning experience since I had never worked with the light and fragile wood before. Having to sand and shape pieces as they went together and building on top of plans was a whole new exciting experience.
It never successfully flew, but I was hooked, a number of years and quite a few builds later I taught myself to fly with a 2M Great Planes Spirit. I still enjoy building, but the time is just not there right now. There are a few unopened kits in my hanger still waiting for attention.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
SS: Model aviation is a huge part of my career and without it, I wouldn’t be at Hitec. Being a modeler gives me a huge advantage in the day to day communications I have with my customers, dealers and hobbyists.
I am lucky enough to have made my hobby my career and use the products we make in the application they were intended for. Sometimes I even get to have fun working!
My first career out of college was in the financial services industry working out of the One World Financial and Two World Trade Center in Manhattan. The hobby industry is a huge change but one where I look forward to rolling out of bed and going to work.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
SS: As you might expect I get fly a lot of electric foam planes, many of the Multiplex variety but I also fly a few Giant Scale aircraft, gliders and helicopters. But if I had to choose a favorite, the easy winner is gliders.
Southern California has so many amazing places to fly gliders from scenic beaches such as Torrey Pines to some amazing mountain slopes. Fast, slow, simple to complex, gliders offer so much variety. Standing on a cliff somewhere flying a plane is the most zen like experience this hobby can offer in my opinion.
JS: What are your other hobbies?
SS: My 6 year old is my biggest hobby, he is a sports fanatic and one of the benefits great weather is year round sports activities. Basketball season has just begun and I am coaching, followed by baseball (my favorite) and soccer.
Somewhere in there I am teaching him to play golf, and of course fly RC airplanes. He has some stick time on an Easy Star at my local club and loves playing on the simulator at home. I tried to get him to take the transmitter when I had my 50CC Aeroworks Cub in the air but I couldn’t get him to bite, maybe next time.
The nice weather also gives me the chance to mountain bike, play softball and go camping with the family as often as we can fit it in. I also am a huge Formula One fan and just returned from the inaugural Grand Prix in Austin Texas where I met a number of RC’ers that recognized the Hitec hat I wore.
JS: Who (or what) has influenced you most?
SS: My wife Mary has easily been the most influential. With her encouragement and insight, I left my previous career to pursue something that simply made me a happier person and a lot more enjoyable to live with. Her support means everything to me.
I have to give a big credit to my parents. Only since becoming a parent can I truly appreciate how much sacrifice it takes to give your child as much opportunity as possible. I strive to be there for my child as much as my parents where there for me.
JS: What advice would you give someone looking to work in the hobby industry?
SS: The keyword is BALANCE -turning your hobby into your work can be a recipe for learning to hate your Hobby. You can never forget that the reason anyone participates in a hobby is some type of enjoyment is supposed to be taken from it.
It helps to have other interests in your life that don’t involve getting CA on your fingers or smelling like nitro all the time. Being well rounded not only makes us better modelers but better people.
