View from HQ - 2014/11
Byline
It's been an interesting and eye-opening period recently for model aviation.
The International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) ceased operations in mid‑August. IMAA, an AMA special interest group (SIG), was dedicated to "fostering and advancing the operation of large scale radio controlled model aircraft." Organized in 1980, IMAA quickly grew to become AMA's largest SIG.
The foundation of this growth was the exponential explosion in larger‑size model aircraft. At its peak, IMAA boasted more than 12,000 members. At a time when there was a need, IMAA found a way to fill it. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and into the early 2000s, IMAA played a significant role in the evolution of giant scale models — and this, no doubt, will be its legacy.
Shortly after the IMAA announcement, Carstens Publications closed its doors permanently on August 22, 2014. One of Carstens' titles, Flying Models, was a mainstay in model aviation for more than 50 years. At one time it was the "go‑to" publication for aeromodeling hobbyists.
The magazine was known for its construction articles and features focused on the technical aspects of model building and flying. In addition to Flying Models, Carstens published two other magazines dedicated to the model railroad hobby. Although another publisher has acquired the model‑railroad publications, Flying Models was not included in the acquisition.
So, what has gotten us to this point? Many will argue that it's the result of changes that have occurred within model aviation.
I was a longtime IMAA member and a subscriber to Flying Models. Membership in the association and a subscription to the magazine enhanced my enjoyment of the model aviation that I, and many of you, grew up with.
But things change, and the model aviation that many of us grew up with has also changed. As much as some of us enjoy the building aspect of aeromodeling, it's not that way for everyone.
Between a lack of interest in building and the lack of time in today's fast‑paced environment, I suspect many of us have turned to ARFs and RTFs simply as a way to stay in the air. Without them, the alternative would be to not fly at all.
As much value as we received from belonging to IMAA a decade ago, it's not the same today. Larger models are no longer unique. Information about large‑scale models and the ability to get together with others who share a common interest is no longer found only within a niche community. Today it's as common to see larger models at the field as it is to see any of the other modeling disciplines that our members enjoy.
It boils down to evolving to remain relevant. IMAA leadership would likely be the first to tell you that the beginnings of the association's decline were its inability to find that one thing it could offer members that was unavailable elsewhere. Giant scale model aviation changed, and IMAA did not change along with it to remain relevant.
The same may hold true for Flying Models. Although many of us enjoyed the construction articles and technical features the magazine provided, we have to recognize that today's model aviation enthusiasts are not all like us.
Today's modeler has changed, model aviation has changed, and, for whatever reason, the magazine didn't change along with it. That was not a bad thing for those of us who appreciated and valued what Flying Models brought to the table, but maybe there aren't enough of us left to sustain what had been a valued contribution to the modeling community.
AMA needs to evaluate what is occurring in the aeromodeling world and evolve to remain a viable, relevant, and vibrant association.
Evolving doesn't necessarily mean a complete makeover of the mission that has made our association successful for so long. It does mean we need to be cognizant of changes that occur and react to those changes so that we can remain the organization that so many rely on to enhance their ability to participate in and enjoy model aviation — no matter your discipline of choice.
See you next time.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
