Modeling Spoken Here
Bob Hunt — Aeromodeling Editor
...keep your modeling interest alive no matter what!
IN "LETTERS TO the Editor" in the June Model Aviation, there was a letter from a young man who was lamenting the cost of getting involved in the sport of radio control (RC) modeling. What makes this noteworthy here is the number of members who responded to that letter and, perhaps more important, how they responded.
The letter in question was from AMA member John Lodge of Las Vegas, Nevada. John researched the cost of a basic training setup, including the support equipment, and found that it would cost in the vicinity of $400 to get started.
Even though his interest is high, the cost to get started, at least for him, is too much. His closing remarks were: "To be truthful, I am almost tempted to say, 'Is it really worth it?' I'm getting kind of discouraged, if you might say, because of the price tag."
We received many responses to John's letter asking, "What can I do to help this young man?" In fact, we were able to contact John and give him phone numbers of members local to him who could help. Much of the help came in the form of actual merchandise offers from some extremely generous modelers.
Please note that John did not solicit anything in his letter; he was just voicing the fact that getting started costs a lot of money — at least from his perspective.
The "Junior" issue: perspective and reality
There has been much written and discussed at every level in modeling about the "Junior problem." John's letter is the latest outcropping of that issue. It's time, I think, to take another look at it and address it from a perspective of reality.
The technology and the reliability that today's average radio-control units offer is amazing, and it is an outstanding bargain. Never before has equipment of such high quality and well-thought-out design been so affordable to so many. The same holds true for kits and ARF (Almost Ready-to-Fly) offerings, engines and electric motors, hardware, and field support equipment. When it comes to value for the dollar in modeling, these are certainly the good old days.
When I was a youngster (and that's been awhile), I remember looking at ads for the latest RC equipment in the magazines and thinking that this stuff was unattainable for someone my age and means. Today, the cost of very competent RC equipment is far less, in many cases, than it was in the 1960s and early 1970s. And since average incomes have gone up considerably, it is far more affordable to far more people. Alas, apparently not to some Juniors, however.
Those of us who grew up in this hobby/sport from a young age may have trouble relating to John's dilemma. We generally had the same lack of significant funds, but there were enough ways to enjoy the hobby on a limited budget that we didn't seem to mind. There were low-cost Free Flight (FF) models and reasonably priced Control Line (CL) models to enjoy, and we learned a great deal about building, finishing, engine operation, and flight trimming from them. Of course we grew up in a mostly analog age, with little or no knowledge of electronics and the wonders that would eventually come.
Today's generation is steeped in electronics and has a seemingly natural understanding and feel for it. They grew up with video games as a central part of their recreational world, and most of them could manipulate a joystick with deft precision by the time they were five. It's no wonder that RC modeling is their goal when they become interested in model aviation as a sport/hobby.
Interestingly, if you look at video-game-system prices and the prices of the games purchased for them, you will find that a great deal of money is being spent by those we commonly characterize as "Juniors." Or perhaps that money is being spent by their parents on things that don't obligate them to further involvement with their children.
Many parents don't have the time to spend with their kids learning about such seemingly high-tech things as model airplanes. That's not a put-down; in many cases both parents have to work extra just to make ends meet, and something has to suffer. Sadly, in many cases it is quality family time. A video game is something kids can figure out on their own and can use at home with little or no help or guidance.
Most of the Juniors we see getting involved are those whose fathers were, or are, involved in modeling. They get involved through a process of osmosis. The father's hobby becomes the child's in an almost natural progression.
I am a second-generation modeler. I'm thankful beyond words that my father introduced me to modeling at an early age. The hobby taught me more than just lessons about airplanes; it taught me how to think, plan, engineer, and work. That last word is important here.
Paths for Juniors who lack immediate family support
Those who don't have parents who are modelers have a more difficult road to travel in getting started in this hobby/sport, but they also have opportunities to build character by working hard to achieve their goals. If they want something badly enough, they'll find a way to get it.
Ways to earn start-up funds:
- After-school jobs
- Babysitting
- Mowing lawns and general yard work
- Other part-time work or saving allowances
Interim activities while saving for a full RC setup:
- Use an RC simulator to learn the rudiments of RC operation
- Read about flight and construction techniques
- Construct and fly simple gliders and rubber-band-powered FF models
- Learn engine safety and operation by flying 1/2A CL models
The lessons learned during this saving-and-waiting period can be put to good use in becoming a superior modeler when the more expensive items can be afforded.
The role of clubs and AMA resources
Clubs can, and do, play a big part in the Junior situation (let's stop calling it a "problem"). Many clubs have programs for teaching youngsters to fly RC using club-owned trainers. With the advent of the $1 Junior AMA license, a youngster can easily afford to join and have the insurance coverage required by AMA-sanctioned clubs.
More often than not, used but serviceable equipment will find its way to an involved youngster, donated by a generous club member. The real challenge is getting information out to Juniors in any given area that clubs exist and how to contact them. We need to work on that.
Great aids for Juniors, and for other members as well, are the services available through AMA's Education Department, headed by Jack Frost. By visiting www.buildandfly.com you can access information that will help you learn about all aspects of the hobby/sport.
As a Junior AMA member, one thing you can do is contact the AMA vice president or associate vice president in your district. Their phone numbers are listed in the vice presidents' district reports in the "AMA News" section of Model Aviation each month. They can be of great help in finding someone local who might assist you in an "each one, teach one" manner. This is a resource you should be aware of and use.
An idea from the past
Years ago my father ran the Exchange Club's model-aviation program in New Jersey. He organized state contests and instituted an interesting rule: to be eligible to compete, a Senior or Open member had to bring a Junior and have him or her entered in an event.
The older members were actually competing for the available Juniors to see who would get to take them to the meets! I know this idea is far-fetched for use today, but it is food for thought. Perhaps a club could sponsor an interclub meet where each member has to bring a Junior and have them compete in a simple fun-fly event.
Final advice
To John, and to any Juniors who share his thoughts: if you have real interest in getting involved in modeling, you will find a way to do it. Work hard, keep reading, use all available resources at hand, find other young people with similar goals and start a club, and don't overlook the simpler, less expensive forms of modeling as stepping-stones to your goal.
Life may not be fair in the hand you were dealt, but the rewards for being resourceful will be a great payback later. Above all, keep your modeling interest alive no matter what!
I can be reached at Box 68, Stockertown, PA 18083; (610) 614-1747, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Bob Hunt
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
