Newcomers
DURING MY 30 years as a fifth-grade teacher, I sat down with parents several thousand times for regularly scheduled conferences. As these sessions approached, there were always a few that produced a degree of apprehension, usually because of student performance and/or parental attitude. More often than not, these conferences went swimmingly-or at least without incident. Sprinkled in were conferences involving excellent, well-adjusted students who never caused a lick of trouble. It seemed, though, that at least once every year, one of those conferences resulted in having salvos fired in my direction-out of the blue.
Newcomers
FOR THE NEWCOMER interested in Radio Control (RC), one of the most difficult decisions in the learning process is selecting a radio system. This month's offering is a gathering of information from two previous columns (May 1995 and February 1997) dealing with radio systems. I updated the information, especially as it relates to any Federal Communications Commission (FCC) activity. In 1982, the present 72 megahertz (MHz) frequencies were assigned for model airplane use. A similar set of 75 MHz frequencies was placed in service for surface use. The seven frequencies formally used by modelers (72.080, 72.160, 72.240, 72.320, 72.400, 72.960, and 75.640 MHz) were shared with commercial users; these were grandfathered for five years and formally phased out in March 1987.
Newcomers
IN THE 32 YEARS I have been involved with AMA activities, I've been exposed to a wide variety of information. Part of this stems from the range of positions (as a volunteer, officer, and employee) that I have held. Coupled with club, Special Interest Group, and trade show participation, this has been very helpful. Perhaps the most interesting part has been the hearing of misinformation! I can see how newcomers often become confused when they hear some of what we shall refer to as "myths." Let's try to sort out a few:
Newcomers
WHERE DO NEWCOMERS come from? Sometimes I think that we envision them as appearing in a puff of smoke, or falling from a tree like an apple-red, ripe, and ready to be a newcomer. If any of you are newcomers, perhaps between gluing or fueling you could scribble a few sentences on a postcard and send it off to me. Let me know how you became interested in being a pilot with your feet on the ground. Such information could be of great value to AMA, clubs, manufacturers, etc; we could serve you (and those to come) better.
Newcomers
I'VE JUST RETURNED from AirVenture Oshkosh 1999, the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EEA) yearly event. I've seen enough airplanes to last for quite a while. (The true aviation buff can probably never get enough.) Each year when I attend the convention, I wonder about the citizens of Oshkosh; certainly their lives are turned upside down for the week of the show as they fight traffic, listen to thousands of aircraft, and are unable to find a table at a favorite restaurant. But it's an interesting show, and you might want to see it sometime.
