This time of year we can hardly go anywhere without being reminded to declare our love tenfold. Valentine’s Day messages abound, from roses to heart-shaped chocolate lava cakes. Love extends into many realms, from love of family members and friends to, of course, a significant other. It’s all about what makes our heart soar, ignites our passions, and makes us feel whole.
Wait a minute. Hmmm. Doesn’t flying a model airplane also make our hearts soar, ignite our passions, and make us feel whole? Of course! However, the lovey-dovey hullabaloo we’re exposed to right now is geared toward love of a person, not a hobby.
Still, there are many parallels between love among humans and love of flying models that I thought I’d examine—all part of keeping up with the lighthearted nature of this column. From the ups and downs, to finding that perfect one … it’s all here.
We Always Remember our First Love
Ah, the awkwardness, the adrenaline, the “should I or shouldn’t I?” moments ... We all remember our first solo flight, alone and ready to take the leap with our love at last. To this day, you remember what you wore, the details of perfectly crafted spars, and the lovely smell of glow fuel (if that’s your thing). After all, it was your first love, the one that gave you happiness and confidence to face that big world out there.
If You Love Something
If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s meant to be. This paraphrased saying works within the model aviation community just as it does with our relationships between people.
You know that biplane you decided to leave because of your love/hate relationship with it (flies great, but a pain to assemble)? When it unexpectedly rears its lovely fuselage years later at a model airplane auction, your heart still skips a beat. Old feelings resurface and you can’t help but wonder if this means it was meant to be or merely a coincidence.
We Lust
You like what you saw and know all kinds of preliminary details about it. Yet, you returned home without that new helicopter and now all you can do is obsess over its awesomeness. You keep replaying scenarios of you two together, even though it hasn’t even happened yet.
You ask friends if they’ve seen it around and if they can offer any other details. You’re smitten and yes, you’re going to do everything it takes to have that thing of splendor by your side at every event and every field. (Dropping Valentine’s Day gift hints, anyone?)
It’s Done You Wrong
It’s done you wrong and you find it in your heart to forgive. Ah, what’s love without the occasional bickering or all-out drama fest that ultimately ends in forgiveness? That airplane may have embarrassed you with a bad landing or pulled a moody midair maneuver.
Perhaps you’re tearing your hair out, asking yourself, “Why, oh why, are you still not happy, even though I’ve given you everything you need for a smooth-running life: a nice attitude, a great home, some nice wheels, etc.?” You ultimately get through the tough times, forgive each other, and come to the realization that you both likely did things to goof things up. Onward and upward.
You’ve Found the One
There’s always that one airplane that stands out from all the others and ends up being the one that’s perfect for us. And just like that, we fall in love, wanting that particular airplane by our side constantly.
We are familiar with its quirks and are in love despite any idiosyncrasies. Sometimes, we’re vehemently protective of it and extremely concerned that it gets only the best care in every situation.
When it rains, you provide shelter. When it’s been through a lot, you’re there to put help put it back together. We’re proud to be seen with our loves and would do anything for them, both the human form and balsa form.
We Demonstrate Our Love Everywhere
When we’re on top of the world, we want everyone to know. This means professing our love of the RC hobby not just at our local flying field or events, but at work, at home, and while driving. At work, we may wear our AMA shirts and at home, we’ve got pictures of our Pitts Special right next to ones of Grandma Irene’s birthday party. “I’d Rather Be Flying” stickers adorn our car bumpers.
In the end, flying RC is always about enjoying the moment and surrounding yourself with amazing airplanes and great people. You see, we don’t need to set aside one day to profess our love of the hobby, because every single day we fly is memorable.
What do you love most about the hobby? Shoot me an email. I’d enjoy hearing from you!
