A bunch of my flying buddies went, I couldn't fit it into the schedule but I was getting pictures on my Facebook page all weekend. I will have to ask around to see how the attendance went. Need to keep in mind though that it was the first year being held in November and at this location. It's nice to know that the new location supports outdoor demonstrations again. Matt Stringer was apparently tearing it up flying some 3D with a 100cc Extra. My fellow pattern competitors John, Bill, Daniel and Were there manning the NSRCA booth. I will be seeing John this week and will get the skinny from him. From what I can see the show was a success. I have not heard anything about the AMA meeting though. I will have to give Lawrence a call about that.

To me this looks pretty promising. Looks to be about the same as what I witnessed while working the IMS, Toledo and Chicago shows back in the '80s and '90s.

One thing to keep in mind is that picture is the crowd in front of a sailplane vendor and the sailplane demographic is a higher age then the hobby as a whole. I am 54 and one of the youngest guys in my sailplane club.

That being said, you are correct in that we seriously lack young people in our hobby. Many theories as to why but one that accounts for some lack of interest is the current technology boom. When you and I were kids, the aviation industry was developing at a very accelerated rate. We saw men break the sound barrier, saw men land on the moon, saw a supersonic transport airplane and saw men rocket into space and land like an airplane. Aviation was all around us growing up. Look at the technology that kids grew up with starting at 1990. The electronics and information boom. Aviation has been somewhat stagnant and boring to most outside the industry. Bottom line is the 30 and younger crowd just has no interest in flying model airplanes with us old guys. A good reason to support a young man when he does show interest.

Not all is lost however. I do see quite often newly retired guys starting the hobby or returning to the hobby now that they have the spare time. We are all really not that different. Maybe opposing opinions at times but I truly believe if we were to find ourselves at the same flying feild we would enjoy one another’s company.

Today, aviation is just a means to an end. It's a method of getting from one place to another. It's a method of taking photos. It's a method of looking at crops. It's a method of mapping an object. Although that's sad for the hobby, it is a good thing overall. It means aviation is part of our everyday life. More importantly, it means it's safe and seamlessy integrated into everything we do.

It's good that folks are returning to the hobby, but that doesn't move the needle much when it comes to hobby aging out. It'll help, and perhaps delay things a bit, but it won't dramatically change the average age (median age etc.) of participants.

Ironically, I've found it easy to get local kids to at least stop and watch when I'm flying in the local park / at local school. With the advent of technology to take the bite out of the learning process, they're more likely to meet with early success. Ironically, what's interested local kids the most is control line. I can't figure out why, but they seem much more interested in that than in FW or Helos. Maybe it's all the other sensory stimulation ... the noise of the engine, the smell of the fuel, the pull of the handle, etc.

Honestly, where I consistently run into challenges when the parents start asking question is cost. They're happy to spend money to get them things they can fly locally (walking distance), but when it comes time to buying things that take a club field ..with associated driving time, cost, etc. .. I can see their body language change. I realize this may not be the case everywhere, but that's what I see. When I tell them the nearest club field is 13 miles away (and I live closest to it compared to the rest of the "town"), the questions turn back to "What kind of stuff can I fly here?"

I think this is the logical extension of the PF / foam movement. Easier to get good looking, reasonable cost, and good performing stuff that you can fly close to home. AMA may have to take a close look at its dependence on the club field model .. it may not sustain in sufficient numbers (and create reason for membership) for too much longer.

Misleading information.

Franklin, I have on several occasions pointed out to you that a youth AMA membership is NOT 75.00 but you still keep throwing that figure out when we talk about youth in our hobby. Under 18 have always had a reduced rate! To the best of my knowledge, all clubs offer reduced rates if not outright free membership for youth as well. My current club offers youth membership for free. I can't help but conclude that you are either intentionally trying to mislead people or you are quite forgetful.

Fair enough, how about we get a bit more specific. In Franks last post he claims that the club in his area costs 100.00 a year to join for a youth member and that AMA is 75.00 for the same young person. He add in having a parent provide transportation and makes comments about other activities such as football, soccer etc. I have already posted proof that AMA for anyone under 19 is FREE. Now what about his local club? Remember now he states that membership for EVERYONE is 100.00. Guess what? More misleading information. The State College R/C club actually looks like a well setup club and does have good programs. Right down to indoor flying. Take a look at the membership fees, quite enlightening.

Join SCRC

Appowner, how many screen shots of club dues requirements for a junior member is required for you to accept that discounting those memberships is standard practice? Give me a number and I will gladly oblige if that is really what is required for you to accept it.

That however is not the point of my previous post. Look at Frankie’s quoted post again. He is clearly misleading people. His claim that a teenagers AMA dues is 75.00 and the club membership for teenagers is 100.00 “ IN HIS AREA “ are false! The fact are right in front of you, how are you going to ride in and defend him this time?

Where have I said they weren't? I was simply pointing out that holding up one club as an example does not automatically mean ALL clubs are the same. But then, that wouldn't fit in with your argument now would it?

Appowner, the entire quote as asked. Are you really going to tell me this does not have misleading content? Not only the misrepresentation of AMA and dues for Franks local club but the implication of a 40% airplane hovering over the runway. You refuse to accept that discounted memberships for junior members is typical for almost all clubs but seem to readily accept that every club has issues with huge model airplanes hovering over the runway? When was the last time you witnessed such a thing on a normal open fly Saturday or Sunday?