Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
03-24-2009, 07:40 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
Oops, forgot to ask. How is that helping to promote the hobby? Can it be counterproductive?
And I'm sorry to hear about you losing your flying site.
Frank
And I'm sorry to hear about you losing your flying site.
Frank
03-24-2009, 08:16 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
As you can probably tell I am not to happy , but hell I am only an old fart with nothing to say.
I can not remember how long I have been a member of AMA. Have seen the good and the bad but I think the good out does the bad and that is a great way to have it. I would like to see more people flying, but till things CHANGE
I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
I can not remember how long I have been a member of AMA. Have seen the good and the bad but I think the good out does the bad and that is a great way to have it. I would like to see more people flying, but till things CHANGE
I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
03-24-2009, 08:26 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: Muroc1
I try to talk about our hobby to everyone I engage in conversation. You would be surprised in how many people would say "I used to build model airplanes."
That's all it takes to start talking RC.
Two new guys approached me about joining our club since my first post.
Frank
I try to talk about our hobby to everyone I engage in conversation. You would be surprised in how many people would say "I used to build model airplanes."
That's all it takes to start talking RC.
Two new guys approached me about joining our club since my first post.
Frank
Frank, if you told me the sun was out at high noon on a clear day, I still wouldn't believe what you say here.
Ron
03-24-2009, 08:52 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
Hey Ron, since my last post 2 guys came up to me, gave me all their RC gear and said, "I *@#K'N QUIT [>:]"!!!
Hey Ron, since my last post 2 guys came up to me, gave me all their RC gear and said, "I *@#K'N QUIT [>:]"!!!
I'd come more near believing you....
Ron
03-24-2009, 09:15 PM
#31
RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
quote:
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
Watch for a garage sale soon[sm=bananahead.gif]
I supported a local aviation day at the Moose lodge and spent an afternoon with three classes of kindergarteners launching rockets, flying little airplanes, and letting teachers drive an RC car while they were studying transportation. I agreed to support my club by writing the newsletter and helping on field days and even volunteered to be an instructor pilot. Yeah I also CD all the club events too.
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
Hey Ron, since my last post 2 guys came up to me, gave me all their RC gear and said, "I *@#K'N QUIT "!!!
I'd come more near believing you....
Ron
I'd come more near believing you....
Ron
I supported a local aviation day at the Moose lodge and spent an afternoon with three classes of kindergarteners launching rockets, flying little airplanes, and letting teachers drive an RC car while they were studying transportation. I agreed to support my club by writing the newsletter and helping on field days and even volunteered to be an instructor pilot. Yeah I also CD all the club events too.
03-24-2009, 09:26 PM
#32
RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
Long ago, way before I was ever into these toy planes I worked for a Chief Warrant Officer who was a great guy, but all he wanted to talk about was his religion and also his model planes. He just had that "proselytizing streak" in him that compelled him to recruit others to share his joy. What a very sharp and likeable man he was and a great US Army officer.
Now I wish I could look him up and talk planes with him. I'm sure he contributed to my interest in this sport, but with a delayed effect.
Now I wish I could look him up and talk planes with him. I'm sure he contributed to my interest in this sport, but with a delayed effect.
03-24-2009, 09:33 PM
#33
RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
About the best you can do is just make sure folks know where your field is at if they ever get the bug to wanna fly. It also helps to have nice friendly and helpful folks around when company comes. I have learned that you can't force folks to take an interest, but for those who might have an interest....well they need to know there is a place nearby that they can go for help. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink is applicable to our hobby as well.
You can send a few magazines to the library, ask the scouts and other organizations out during the year and hope you light a spark, but to try to push it upon someone is not going to bare much fruit. I truly believe each flyer that last beyond the first crash and continues to fly with more determination than before all share the same certain gene. Problem is there is no way of telling who carries that gene and who does not. So I would say having an open gate to the community at your airfield is probably the best thing you can do to promote the hobby, and if someone that comes see's something they like, then perhaps they might join you.
I help train a few new people throughout the year, and I have found it best to kinda let them find there own interest in the hobby. I like to build my own planes, but the sure fire way to run someone off is to tell them that all there future planes should be scratch built or kit built, or that all future planes should be pattern type planes running glow engines and never electric. I try not to push my own interest and try hard to support the new guy in whatever aspect of the hobby he or she wants to partake in regardless if its an ARF or Kit or Gas or Electric, or even rubber power or free flight as far as that goes. Whats fun for me might not be fun for you and vice versa. Just try to be friendly and helpful.
Moderator:
My earlier comment in this thread was something I responded to with a big smile while enjoying this thread. I will try to enjoy myself a little less while I am here on RCU next time. I am suprised I have made it over 2000 post without gettting banned. I got banned after my thrird post on the Traxxas website when I made the awful and unforgiveable comment about the gears in my Traxxas truck being a bit weak. Please don't let RCU go down that over moderated road! In 6 years on RCU thats the first time I have seen a mod threaten to shut a thread down over such light and actually quite friendly comments.
About the best you can do is just make sure folks know where your field is at if they ever get the bug to wanna fly. It also helps to have nice friendly and helpful folks around when company comes. I have learned that you can't force folks to take an interest, but for those who might have an interest....well they need to know there is a place nearby that they can go for help. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink is applicable to our hobby as well.
You can send a few magazines to the library, ask the scouts and other organizations out during the year and hope you light a spark, but to try to push it upon someone is not going to bare much fruit. I truly believe each flyer that last beyond the first crash and continues to fly with more determination than before all share the same certain gene. Problem is there is no way of telling who carries that gene and who does not. So I would say having an open gate to the community at your airfield is probably the best thing you can do to promote the hobby, and if someone that comes see's something they like, then perhaps they might join you.
I help train a few new people throughout the year, and I have found it best to kinda let them find there own interest in the hobby. I like to build my own planes, but the sure fire way to run someone off is to tell them that all there future planes should be scratch built or kit built, or that all future planes should be pattern type planes running glow engines and never electric. I try not to push my own interest and try hard to support the new guy in whatever aspect of the hobby he or she wants to partake in regardless if its an ARF or Kit or Gas or Electric, or even rubber power or free flight as far as that goes. Whats fun for me might not be fun for you and vice versa. Just try to be friendly and helpful.
Moderator:
My earlier comment in this thread was something I responded to with a big smile while enjoying this thread. I will try to enjoy myself a little less while I am here on RCU next time. I am suprised I have made it over 2000 post without gettting banned. I got banned after my thrird post on the Traxxas website when I made the awful and unforgiveable comment about the gears in my Traxxas truck being a bit weak. Please don't let RCU go down that over moderated road! In 6 years on RCU thats the first time I have seen a mod threaten to shut a thread down over such light and actually quite friendly comments.
03-24-2009, 10:34 PM
#35
RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: vicman
You must not visit the ama forum much.
In 6 years on RCU thats the first time I have seen a mod threaten to shut a thread down over such light and actually quite friendly comments.
You honestly wanna know something to promote the hobby? Ask someone to come visit the old AMA forum here on RCU. You couldn't buy good entertainment like that, and I figured it was part of my $58 yearly fee to AMA to be able to come in here an rant and throw chairs around the room. Them was truly the good ole days! It used to be you had to be beating up another RCU members mother plus his sister before you would see a mod! Now its getting all civil like! I guess I never was worth a hoot at coloring between the lines and always did tend to wander...................... In keeping with the subject...the old AMA forum was a much better promotion tool for the hobby, and I always figured that probably 95% of the people who came to visit this forum didn't even fly a Plane more than once or twice a year, but still considered themselves part of the hobby thanks to the old AMA forum and the entertainment it always provided. Now it seems it is only a legend!
03-24-2009, 11:08 PM
#36
RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: Live Wire
I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
03-25-2009, 03:05 AM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: Live Wire
As you can probably tell I am not to happy , but hell I am only an old fart with nothing to say.
I can not remember how long I have been a member of AMA. Have seen the good and the bad but I think the good out does the bad and that is a great way to have it. I would like to see more people flying, but till things CHANGE I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
As you can probably tell I am not to happy , but hell I am only an old fart with nothing to say.
I can not remember how long I have been a member of AMA. Have seen the good and the bad but I think the good out does the bad and that is a great way to have it. I would like to see more people flying, but till things CHANGE
I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
That is a shame, that's for sure, real sorry to hear about your field. But you are right, the good definitely outweighs the bad.
Frank
03-25-2009, 06:39 AM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
Well, I usually show up at a Local Ultralight Airshow 4 times a year. People always asks me questions about the hobby... mostly about prices of planes, how much is it to get started, how long have I been flying etc.
I try to target children the most do to the fact I remember how excited I was when I saw my first R/C airplane when I was 7 years old back in the 70's. It plants the seed, like it did me.
My Club stays out of the Lime Light from what I've seen... we are a small club, so I try to promote on my own.
I try to target children the most do to the fact I remember how excited I was when I saw my first R/C airplane when I was 7 years old back in the 70's. It plants the seed, like it did me.
My Club stays out of the Lime Light from what I've seen... we are a small club, so I try to promote on my own.
03-25-2009, 09:00 AM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: ckangaroo70
I would have to agree with that to some extent. When I was a kid...everybody on the block would come rushing to the ball diamond to watch my Cox PT-19 control line. Now I doubt it would attract much attention at all. Kids have to much other forms of entertainment today. Kids today would think we were silly running around the yard playing war with sticks. A nice stick made a good rifle, bow and arrow, bat, etc. etc. We found very simple things to entertain ourselves....so to own an airplane that actually flew....well that was just something entirely to cool for words. Even free flight and rubber powered Planes built from old comet kits were really awesome marvels. So while my small fleet of RC Planes are still to cool for words...I have had kids look at them and just kinda shrug there shoulders and say "Those are sorta neat, but I have a new XBOX or Nintendo" Of course there is always an exception, and we will still get the occasional kid, but I think you are correct in saying that not as many kids will take interest as those kids from my time in the 70's and 80's. (I'm 40)
ORIGINAL: Live Wire
I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
I don't see many younger people in this hobby.
Younger people are your age
and I have seen some of these game that the kids and some adults play, They are some thing else.
03-25-2009, 10:50 AM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
They pay hundreds of dollars on a Wii Fit game
so they can play the Virtual Jogging In The Park game.
We as a people have turned running around the park into an indoor activity.
(completely unrelated news: more & more folks are overweight or obese these days)
You know what is just like that Virtual Jogging Thru The Park?
Actual jogging thru the park.
so they can play the Virtual Jogging In The Park game.
We as a people have turned running around the park into an indoor activity.
(completely unrelated news
: more & more folks are overweight or obese these days)You know what is just like that Virtual Jogging Thru The Park?
Actual jogging thru the park.
03-25-2009, 11:19 AM
#41
RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
03-25-2009, 02:31 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
03-25-2009, 03:54 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: Muroc1
Oops, forgot to ask. How is that helping to promote the hobby? Can it be counterproductive?
And I'm sorry to hear about you losing your flying site.
Frank
Oops, forgot to ask. How is that helping to promote the hobby? Can it be counterproductive?
And I'm sorry to hear about you losing your flying site.
Frank
One of the best clubs and flying sites here is not AMA...it is a great place to fly and a great club to be a part of.
Believe it or not AMA is not always the right tool. In some cases it can have negative results. When AMA clubs attempt to monopolize public flying sites it easy to understand the negative effects.
Conversely, if that is the only way to gain access, then it is a positive. It really matters specifically how the tool is used.
03-25-2009, 04:13 PM
#44
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
03-25-2009, 04:22 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: Red Scholefield
You got that right. How about those that spend more driving to a well maintained AMA chartered field in week or two to fly their $1000 model, than a years AMA membership will cost them and compain about the $58 membership dues ?
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
Never heard from anyone fitting that example. Actually have heard little about the expense of AMA at all... more about the perceived need of being forced than anything else...not the dollar amount unless they fly inexpensive models…but that is easy to understand.
03-25-2009, 04:27 PM
#46
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: littlecrankshaf
Never heard from anyone fitting that example. Actually have heard little about the expense of AMA at all... more about the perceived need of being forced than anything else...not the dollar amount unless they fly inexpensive models…but that is easy to understand.
ORIGINAL: Red Scholefield
You got that right. How about those that spend more driving to a well maintained AMA chartered field in week or two to fly their $1000 model, than a years AMA membership will cost them and compain about the $58 membership dues ?
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
KE, I get a kick out of the people who spend hundreds at a gym.......then spend hundreds to have their cars detailed, yard work done, house cleaned, pool maintained, fed with pre prepared fast food, etc.
Then they still claim they don't have any time for building planes,
To reach out to these people, the hobby has to be promoted as a completely "turn key deal", where all they have to do is pay with credit, open a box, then plug in another wallwart charger.
Never heard from anyone fitting that example. Actually have heard little about the expense of AMA at all... more about the perceived need of being forced than anything else...not the dollar amount unless they fly inexpensive models…but that is easy to understand.
03-25-2009, 04:28 PM
#47
RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
The thread is starting to slide off topic here. The thread isn't here to discuss if the AMA dues are too high. Let's get back discussin the topic, which is "Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009".
Ken
Ken
03-25-2009, 06:23 PM
#48
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
ORIGINAL: littlecrankshaf
Actually it could be a good thing for the hobby and maybe the club as well. If they (the club) are able to acquire and maintain a flying site without AMA, it then would allow non-AMA enthusiasts as well as AMA members to use the facilityand to also be club members.
One of the best clubs and flying sites here is not AMA...it is a great place to fly and a great club to be a part of.
Believe it or not AMA is not always the right tool. In some cases it can have negative results. When AMA clubs attempt to monopolize public flying sites it easy to understand the negative effects.
Conversely, if that is the only way to gain access, then it is a positive. It really matters specifically how the tool is used.
ORIGINAL: Muroc1
Oops, forgot to ask. How is that helping to promote the hobby? Can it be counterproductive?
And I'm sorry to hear about you losing your flying site.
Frank
Oops, forgot to ask. How is that helping to promote the hobby? Can it be counterproductive?
And I'm sorry to hear about you losing your flying site.
Frank
One of the best clubs and flying sites here is not AMA...it is a great place to fly and a great club to be a part of.
Believe it or not AMA is not always the right tool. In some cases it can have negative results. When AMA clubs attempt to monopolize public flying sites it easy to understand the negative effects.
Conversely, if that is the only way to gain access, then it is a positive. It really matters specifically how the tool is used.
That's a good point. I never thought about it that way.
Frank
03-25-2009, 06:25 PM
#49
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
Our club dues are only $35 per year which includes manicured grass all year round which allows even the smallest electric to fly from it. Shoot, we even have guys practice their putting skills on it when we are not around. I do think that helps with bringing in new folks.
Frank
Frank
03-26-2009, 07:12 PM
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RE: Helping To Promote The Hobby In 2009?
Hooray for our club! I just got another email today from someone wanting to re-join our club again. I guess the economy isn't slowing down the RC business as much as I thought it would.
Frank
Frank