I wanted to start a thread that deals with the why and how everyone who currently enjoys the hobby first got their start. Consider it an on line version of a bull session at the field. I regularly visit many different forums to see what all of us are up to - it's amazing to see the variety of people, from all over the world, with how they enjoy their aspects of the hobby. Some went warbirds, some went sail planes, some went jets, some like to just build and some (like myself) enjoy a little of it all. But we all share one thing in common. There was something, or someone who kindled a spark that got all of us involved enough that we not only spend our time between the workshop, the field and the hobby shop (not to mention the wives and families) but have created this global on line network. So what got us all started? And what keeps us involved all these years (decades for most) later?
Myself, it was my older brother and my dad. My dad flew free flight in his younger days (1940's and 50's) and was around at the beginning of rc flight. I remember him telling me stories of escapements, timers and the like, things I have no knowledge of with today's computerized rc equipment. (I was born in '64) Getting in the car or hopping on your bike to chase down your plane wherever it may have landed seemed to be the norm. My dad's previous flying got my older brother involved. I was maybe 11 or 12 when I would be with my brother and his friends watching him build his first plane. I would go to the field with him, mainly staying out of big brother's way, while he would prep and go flying. Eventually he let me get my fingers on the sticks to experience a little of what it was like.
My dad got back into the hobby briefly after my brother became involved, his first love had become amateur radio (W3UCA). But he was the man I attribute "getting me my wings." My dad taught me building, covering, setting a plane up and eventually how to keep it in the air.
Eventually, my dad drifted away from the hobby again, back to electronics and the radio thing. My older brother got married and started a family (he's a ham too -K3PLC), but I couldn't stay away.
Today, a few decades later, there always seems to be something on the building board. The smell of epoxy and ca sends me back in time to standing by my big brother's side, the smell of nitro reminds me of being with my dad on the perfect blue sky day. The technology has certainly changed since those days my dad would tell me about so long ago, but the love for the hobby and flight has always remained the same throughout.
In a month or so I plan to maiden my first turbine, something my dad couldn't have dreamed of being a reality when he first got his start. Unfortunately, my dad won't be there. I lost him almost 2 years ago to Diabetes and Alzheimers. He would have loved to see and hear that thing go. But hopefully, I can get my big brother out to the field to see it fly. I have both of them to thank for my start, couldn't have imagined a better way to begin my journey. And maybe this time, I'll be the one letting my brother get his fingers on the sticks. This time though it won't be a MEN trainer like it was for me, but a Jet Cat turbine. Maybe....
So how about you,
Dan