Newcomers
Box 40, St. Peters MO 63376
"SO YOU WANT to be a pilot! You want to experience the thrill of flight—to soar with the eagles, taste the sky! Step right up, folks. That time is here now!"
This sounds like it would be shouted over a megaphone by a leather-helmeted "Lindbergh" standing next to a Jenny. Or maybe emblazoned across an advertisement in an old magazine from the 1920s. But have you ever stopped to think that the appeal is just as alive and meaningful today as it was then?
Two organizations have much in common that espouse that same cry today. You are reading Model Aviation, the magazine of one organization—AMA (The Academy of Model Aeronautics). The other is Sport Aviation, the membership voice for EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association).
There has been speculation throughout the years regarding the numbers of individuals who possess memberships in both organizations. There appears to be a considerable overlap; the two have many things in common as far as what they offer to aviation-oriented persons.
Before you scoff, think about it! It's true that the modelers don't place their bodies in a flying device and transport skyward, but . . .
This thought of commonality was reinforced when I read an article in the aircraft-building section of the October 1999 Sport Aviation: "Getting Started in Aircraft Building," by Ron Alexander.
As I picked my way through the paragraphs, I found thoughts, concerns, and motivations that have been expressed in "Newcomers" throughout the years. A few reversals in the development of activities pursued by the two groups also surfaced.
For example, the EAA was created as a result of individuals who wished to move to new challenges and build their own aircraft—the "homebuilders." A large percentage of AMA's membership has moved away from the "home-building" concept to ARFs (Almost Ready to Fly) and RTFs (Ready to Fly).
Mr. Alexander makes a definite point by explaining why he refers to "homebuilts" as "custom-builts." He also makes the point that the words "homebuilt" and "experimental" do not inspire confidence in quality. It's interesting to note that in looking through the pages of Sport Aviation, the name "Experimental Aircraft Association" is very difficult to find.
What does any of this have to do with us? As a newcomer, you may not have considered the prospect of building a model. You should—for many of the same reasons that Mr. Alexander is proposing that EAA members might wish to tackle a "custom-built."
Why build?
Let's review his responses to "Why Build An Airplane?" and see if they fit for the modeler:
- "You can save money." Hmm, maybe. It's certainly true if you plan to build other models later on. This is also true as long as you don't place a price tag on your time.
- "For many people, aircraft-building is simply a hobby they enjoy doing." Bingo! There you go! Many modelers actually enjoy that part more than flying.
- "You will better understand the mechanical aspects." Yes, indeed!
- "You can maintain a custom-built without an Aircraft and Powerplant license." And as a modeler you'll know it's built correctly and you can repair it when ... let's not talk about that.
- "You can acquire a particular type of design not available as a production airplane." I guess. But you'd have to plan-build or scratch-build it.
- "Aircraft-building can (and should be) a family project." So true! What a great time to get to know your kids, or your dad, or your wife!
- "You become a member of an elite group." Well, maybe that's a stretch, but in some ways it's true.
In the rest of the article, Mr. Alexander addresses what is required to build an airplane. These concerns cover regulations, workshop space and tools, skills needed, and time and finances required. "Newcomers" has also addressed these issues in the past.
Mr. Alexander makes several points that bear repeating:
Tools and skills
- "You don't have to have a lot of tools. Building a full-scale airplane will require more than a model will require. In fact, most people already have many of the basics required for model building. Consider an assortment of small knives, blades, and saws.
The most commonly used blade is probably the thin #11 blade. Razor saws are handy for spruce and hard balsa. The little keyhole-saw blade is a lifesaver at times. You will need smaller screwdrivers and ball drivers. A variable-speed tool, such as a Dremel®, is very handy since you can use a cutoff wheel, small drills, and various-shaped fittings to smooth, grind, or hollow out pieces.
Specialized tools such as irons (to apply heat-sensitive coverings) are an important addition. In the long run, however, you won't need to become a television 'Tim-the-Toolman' to build models."
- "Some don't build because they lack confidence." Yep! Been there, felt that way! There are a host of available resources in this day and age. The skills you need are not advanced, and the simple application of common sense will generally solve the problem.
The most-important factor in developing building skills is to not let yourself be stifled by the "there's-only-one-way-to-do-it" syndrome. Even those of us who have been building for many years are constantly learning little hints that make the task easier, or even possible! Don't underestimate your own abilities!
Workshop space
- "Workshop space a problem?" It needn't be! Of course, it's really great to have a spacious, comfortable, well-lit, and well-equipped workshop. The largest number of modelers don't have that luxury, yet they create beautiful models.
I recall building a 50-inch balsa model of a cargo ship years ago. The building board was the back side of a dining room table leaf, which rested on a footstool in the living room of our apartment! The fact that it was completed and navigated the waters of a lake in the park is a testament to my wife's patience and understanding, as well as the efficiency of our vacuum cleaner.
Time commitment
- "What's the time commitment involved?" Mr. Alexander suggests that the answer to this is very difficult. From a modeling viewpoint, I must certainly agree. As you may have noticed, there seems to be a law that reads, "The amount of time available is inversely proportional to the creation of labor-saving devices." It just seems that someone grabs the hands of the clock and pulls them forward when we aren't looking.
The important thing to remember is to refrain from rushing the process. Certainly, you must allow yourself a margin for error in anticipating a completion date. Any model being built will contain a few "oops" along the way. These "need-to-be-redone" items will cause a high level of frustration if you are trying to hit a deadline.
Years ago, as I sought to finish a model for a World Championships, I hit a snag by having to undergo surgery. I ended up spending 18-plus hours a day (I was a teacher and it was summer vacation) frantically working on the model. It wasn't fun!
In scratch-building, I find my time divided into three time segments: Twenty-five percent is spent figuring out how to do it; fifty percent is spent doing it; and the remaining twenty-five percent is spent redoing what I didn't do correctly! Take it easy and set a goal, but be flexible. This is actually fun, if you let it be that way.
Family involvement
"Family involvement." In some ways, this is a tough call. It is very easy to become obsessed and let the building and flying of a model become a replacement for your family. From my point of view, having been happily married for 46 years, this is not a good thing! I would love to be able to say that my infinite wisdom prevented me from creating some family tensions with my pursuit of the hobby/sport. However, that would be untrue.
What did occur was that I achieved a degree of balance, thanks to my family's understanding and willingness to seek friendships in modeling.
For many years, my wife has been very active with volunteer work for AMA. She has no interest in the workshop area, other than to "suggest" that it probably should be swept at least once a year, whether it needs it or not! My wife won't go near the flightline, either. But she loves the activity and the people.
Our two girls were never interested in building or flying, but they too spent much time working at events and acting as pit crew for Dad at contests. It's a true family activity for us.
But it didn't just happen. It took patience and understanding from everyone concerned to make it that way!
Commitment
That leads us to the last point for this month.
"Getting Started in Aircraft Building" centers around one word: commitment! Mr. Alexander makes that point, and I agree. I readily admit that in the case of building a full-scale aircraft, the importance of commitment would appear to be higher. After all, there is a much-larger investment involved, not only money, but generally time. You obviously cannot discount the fact that in the end someone's life may actually be involved.
The important factor is that the benefits derived from building your own aircraft, be it a model or full-scale airplane, are considerable. While elements such as the cost differential (and some of the other factors mentioned earlier) may be of little consequence, by building your own model there is one consequence that I feel is very significant:
The most important aspect is the sense of self-satisfaction that it provides. Even a kit with the most comprehensive set of instructions can help you achieve a feeling of "warm fuzzies" when the job is done, complete with your personal touch in some form or another. It's something more and more difficult to come by in our prefab, nonrepairable society.
As a child, I can recall my dad's ship project that took him years to build. Planked from Popular Mechanics, the fully-rigged Mayflower took shape. Thousands of hand-tied knots in thread created the rigging. Hundreds of individually carved divots, punctuated with holes formed by a tiny bit that was twisted between his fingers, held the thread. Many brass cannon barrels (turned from solid stock on a big, old, wood lathe) graced the hull. It was a magnificent achievement. And it was all accomplished in a family setting.
The radio spoke Inner Sanctum or Jack Benny or Fibber McGee and Molly. Mom did needlework; my sister did homework or read and I worked on an airplane (after I finished my homework).
Yes, I know those days are gone and will never return. But there is a new-millennium version. You just have to give it some thought, and make it so.
Why not try a kit, or even scratch-build your next project? MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
