...complain about how Park Flyers aren't real modelers.
Had to get that dig in didn't you. I'm gonna have to hold your feet to the fire on that one. That's only true if you take previous comments out of context or change up the definition of "Park Flier". It's easy to determine who is and who isn't a modeler. It's a word with a definition. You either meet the requirements or you don't. Since most people with ARF's call themselves "sport fliers", maybe we could drop this mean spirited argument? We can just call the foamie flyers "sport fliers" and everybody's happy. Call the guys who build model airplanes and fly them in the park "modellers". After all, that does meet the requirements.
But first, we have to find out why the Schools dropped AMA. Aero Modeling is perfect for inter-school competions, so I wonder why niche sport like Lacrosse lives on but Aeromodeling died. I wonder if it is due to the irrational fear of the dangers of RC Flying. If so, we need to fix that perception. RC Flying is safer than baseball, if you ask me.
Now I LIKE this! I'm not sure if Bubba's gonna get me for this or not, but Aero Modeling isn't the only thing the schools have dropped. All those great vocational programs are gone too. Gone in favor of computer labs and similar stuff. Somewhere along the line, everyone became convinced that students could pick up real world skills out in the real world and they should be force fed computer skills. I wonder how many Aero Engineers the world missed out on because of this short-sightedness. I know of one! I never knew about model airplanes or the interest they would spark in me. At 32 with a career and family, it's too late for me. My kid is going to be exposed to everything I can think of.