ORIGINAL: Stickbuilder
Horrace,
Wherein does the fault lie? I have tried (without much success) to get some newbies interested in learning to build. As soon as they find out that there will be several weeks or even several days involved in the process, they are out. The usual response that I get is that I want it, RIGHT THE HECK NOW!!!. I don't have time to learn this useless crap. Even those who already have some kind of model (either one that they have bought from a half fast builder or a factory built ARF) and it flies poorly, have no interest in how to trim or balance the model to make it into a good flyer. I do get the guy who wants me to adjust it for him, and he is happy to pay me to do it for him. Again, wherein lies the fault? As I replied in an earlier post, It's hard to fill a closed container.
Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1
Stick,
Just consider that not too long ago if someone wanted a model airplane they would have to invent it first. Your grandpa probably didn't do R/C as a kid...heck maybe even you didn't...now kids can… things constantly change. Nothing at all wrong with that. The problem is when one gets old and refuses to accept change or cites the changes as being a deficit in our youth.
The hobby is in transition to a more sport like activity such as 4wheeling is. Buy your gear and get busy…a new model of 4wheeler will come along and make the earlier versions obsolete…on and on and on… I am looking forward to a day when aero modeling replaces the spectacles such as football or NASCAR with models being flown at every park while cities are building flying fields instead of more soccer fields…oops got carried away again.
Seriously, Model aviation is a safe, fun, and educational activity that we should promote just as it is. I have never understood the overwhelming need of most modelers to portray this hobby in a way that alienates the very goal we attempt to accomplish. When you hear an older modeler give accounts of building/flying their models they often have a way of making anyone that will listen believe that the work is a very time consuming, aggravating and a wealth of knowledge is needed. Then after the building speech is concluded the dangerous speech starts. Then the need to conform speech....Sounds likes fun.
If we would just say “I had a great time building this plane and it sure flies good too...would you like to go to the park and see it fly?" I think our hobby, as well as the sport aspects, would grow as well.