Geez and you wonder why the average age is so high and it’s so hard to recruit younger members. This is the type of attitude that turns people away.

Let’s look at the word model:

1. A small object, usually built to scale, that represents in detail another, often larger object.

Using that definition you’ve now alienated a large percentage of the members. Anything scratch built that is not a small copy of a full scale airplane is not a model. That quickie 500 the previous gentleman spoke of is not a model of anything full scale so therefore it is only a toy airplane. Should he then be excluded?

We talk about not wanting to limit new technology in our hobby. Isn’t an ARF a product of new technologies being able to mass produce a product? Should every full scale pilot have built his own airplane to be a real pilot? Not everyone posses the skills or has the time to design and built their own aircraft. Why do you want to exclude them?

I’ve seen some pretty nice ARfs and some pretty crappy ones. I’ve also seen the same of scratch built planes. So just because I’ve designed and built a crappy plane it is better? Ever scratch built a model helicopter, and I do mean scratch built? I have. It’s not easy but does that make me better than someone who hasn’t? I don’t think so. Oh sorry, it wasn’t scale so I guess it’s just a toy. Come on what’s the point?

I can’t speak for anyone else but I love all things that fly. I have just as much fun watching my kids fly paper airplanes as I do watching model turbines or sail planes. I marvel very time I travel on an airliner or watch an air show at what man has accomplished. Modeling encompasses a lot of different disciplines. Let’s embrace them all and enjoy them for what they are. This is a hobby after all.

Jay