View From HQ - 2008/03

192 MODEL AVIATION
Executive Director Jim Cherry
any members have gotten into the
spirit of “You know you’re a
modeler when … ” The January
issue of MA hit the streets and my
mailbox filled with so many adaptations of Jeff
Foxworthy’s famous comic line that I’m
looking into a book deal on the subject.
Those who follow this column regularly will
remember that last month was the “What We
Did With Your Dues in 2007” annual report. I
realize it was not nearly as funny but hopefully
it was informative.
To make up for the “boring annual report”
(as it was referred to by the staff), I’m devoting
most of my column to the membership’s
responses.
Jeff Prosise of Knoxville, Tennessee, starts us
out this month.
You know you’re a modeler when:
“You spent more on your last airplane than
on your last car.
“You can name more AMA presidents than
US presidents.
“Your wife says ‘You’re going to have to
choose between me and flying,’ and without
hesitating you reply, ‘I’ll miss you, honey.’
“It’s 36 degrees and sleeting and you’re
standing in the pit area wondering ‘Where is
everybody?’
“You’re in a car accident on the way to the
field and you have to climb over two
unconscious passengers to check the condition
of your plane.
“You test-fit the family cat into the cockpit
of your 33% Extra and seriously consider giving
it a try.
“A friend asks what kind of cologne you’re
wearing and you reply, ‘Wildcat 30%.’
“The most exciting thing that’s ever
happened to you was when your buddy took off
with his ailerons reversed and then had his
throttle servo fail, too.
“Your idea of an engaging dinner
conversation is a lively debate on the merits of
castor oils versus synthetics.
“Your mom and dad find magazines hidden
under your mattress and are relieved to find it’s
only Model Aviation.
“A psychologist administers a Rorschach
test and upon seeing the first ink blot, you
scream ‘Corsair!’
“Your wife says she’d like to see you more
often and you give her a map to the field.
M
“Your wife whispers ‘wanna have some
fun?’ and you run down to your shop to put a
plane on charge.
“You come to the field with a black eye
because you told your wife her CG’s too far
aft.”
Jeff finally adds, “I recently got my turbine
waiver and am addicted to jets. Here are a few
for jet pilots.” You know you’re a jet modeler
when:
“The best use you can find for propellers is
mixing epoxy.
“You install surround sound in your living
room just so your family can enjoy your turbine
videos.
“10,000 rpm? That’s for wienies.
“The most popular artist on your iPod is
JetCat.
“You decide your van with 240,000 miles on
it can go one more year so you can buy a new
turbine.
“You prefer the smell of Jet A to coffee in
the morning.”
Dan Krahenbuhl of Appleton, Wisconsin,
contributed to the list. You know you’re a
modeler when:
“Your youngest daughter knows that ARF is
not the sound a dog makes.
“Your family makes plans based on the
aviation forecast.
“During flying season you will only commit
to non-flying events out to the five-day aviation
forecast.
“Your wife checks the forecast prior to even
bringing up any plans.
“Long-distance vacations include spending
an afternoon at a distant flying field.
“There are only two seasons in Wisconsin:
building and flying.
“You look upon people who are indifferent
to flying like you would someone dressing up
and attending a Star Trek convention (the same
holds true for people who electrify warbirds).
“When shopping for a new vehicle for the
family, how future planes will fit in it is a major
consideration. (If it will require a five-year loan,
what size plane will I be up to by that point?)
“You let your wife quit her job forever in
return for being allowed to fly guilt-free on
Saturdays.
“You base prices of things on what it would
buy in terms of airplanes and airplane-related
equipment. ($200 is a 120-size ARF, $450 a
43cc gasser, etc. Warning: It can make grocery
shopping and buying school clothes for the kids
depressing.)
“You commonly replace the phrase ‘I know
that like the back of my hand’ or ‘as sure as the
sun will rise tomorrow’ with ‘as sure as Father’s
Day I will be out flying!’
“On a rainy day you cheer yourself up by
wearing the smelly shirt you last wore flying
that reeks of spent nitro.
“You spend enough time at the local hobby
shop that they carry your brands of fuel, props,
etc. without you ordering them.
“Your wife is better able to cope with the
long, cold Wisconsin winters knowing that
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and
Valentine’s Day are all guaranteed non-flying
days!”
I would be remiss in not noting the retirement
of two key members of the AMA staff. Coming
back from the holidays I found not one, but two
resignation letters on my desk. The first was
from Mary Hurn, director of AMA’s Human
Resources Department.
Mary’s is a support position that those
outside of the building rarely hear about, but it
is key to the successful operation of the
organization. Mary has been with us for more
than 12 years and will be missed.
Jay Mealy, director of the Programs
Department, is also retiring. He is much more
visible to the membership and attends many
trade shows representing the AMA. Jay has
been with AMA for more than 15 years. His
service and dedication to the Academy’s goals
will also be missed.
Please join me in wishing Mary and Jay
good luck and Godspeed in their retirements.
During this past season many clubs
participated in the Take off And Grow program
(TAG). My old club in Texarkana, Texas, was
one of those selected to participate.
Be on the lookout for the 2008 TAG
applications available on the AMA Web
site. The program is being revised for
2008. This year, funding will be supplied
rather than equipment to encourage clubs
to host events. MA
In the spirit of flight.
Right:
Texarkana
Club President
Davis Oats
guides TAG
visitors in the
use of an AMAsupplied
simulator.
Left: Members of
the Texarkana
Club, Charlie
McCarty (L) and
retired airline
pilot Bud Welch,
help in the 2007
TAG program.
Jim Cherry
Executive Director
[email protected]
“The most popular artist on your iPod is JetCat.”
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