ORIGINAL: sowega flyer
LDM, You are absolutely right in your statement. Being new at this, I have experienced a lot of snobs in this hobby. I visited a club the other day where they where hosting a fly-in, and not ONE person introduced himself to me. I won't be joining that club. The funny thing is, I have my own field to fly from but I wanted to get involved in the social aspect of this hobby. I quickly found out that if you don't have the newest, most expensive equipment at the field, you aren't "good enough", or if you fly an ARF you have no pride. (Gimme a break) In my eyes it should be easy to spot a newcomer, so why not recognize them and make them feel comfortable so they might join the club which requires an AMA membership, hence the growth that you all wonder about.
No, I won't be renewing my AMA membership when my three month trial is up- I don't need it to fly from my field, and if anybody wants to come here an fly you are more than welcome as long as you take the chip off of your shoulder.
First, sowega flyer, let me say that I agree 101% with you, RCPaul and LDM. Anyone that builds, flies, tinkers, or has interest in model airplanes is an OK person with me as long as they can respect my acceptance of each and every kind of model aviation. When I left the USAF in'68and went up to Chicago as a pilot with United Air Lines, I was a contest and sport CL flier and a contest Free Flight flier. Well was I knocked for a loop when I walked into Al's Hobby Shop in Elmhurst and asked about some CL items. You would have thought I was something lower than human with the ridicule I received from some hired help. (Al Fushin [sp?} was NOT like that but some of the young help was) SO THE POINT IS: model aviation has had its snobs since Day One and that is not going to change.
OTOH, just this past Sunday, I attended a Big Bird RC event form another local club in this area. I got a lot of attention from some young and old guys when I set that 96" built-up rendition of Walt Good's "GUFF" -- the first RC model in the US -- on the flight line. Remarks were "so much plane, so little engine" (ST 60) I flew it twice along with several flights of the 1/4 scale .90 powered "Little Toni" rather on the other side of the speed spectrum. I never flew another 80" gasser because I was so busy jawing with buddies both old and new that the day was shot far too soon.
I know some of those youngsters were very surprised to see that big (but light) model jump off the ground, (NO AILERONS) and fly around the sky very slowly, then rather speedy, do loops and rolls, then get trimmed for left circles, hands off the box, then a few clicks of rudder then right circles, etc. Of course they are not going to build such but they respected it. I also respect their talents with their big acrobatic machines.
Actually I think it all boils down to our inner self. What do we (we as a term) really want from others. I cannot control others. Therefore I do my thing and appreciate theirs. Regardless of AMA or what, I darn well enjoy the fellowship of other modelers and I am going to continue to do so. YOU can too.
I can only extend my sympathy to those that never indulge themselves in at least a few other options of this sport.
edit: spelling