Retention Rate
 

20 years ago started my membership in AMA with AMA# of 237xxx. Today new first time members have #'s of 857xxx. Does this mean AMA has issued 620,000 + new #'s to first time members in 20 years? Since the current total membership of AMA is somewhere under 200,000 the assumed retention rate of members over 20 years is about 30%. Is that correct? How does that compare to other hobbies or recreational activities? Flying RC is a demanding hobby. Building, learning to fly, takes a person with patience and persistence, my wife says someone stubborn. Also, not inexpensive if one accumulates a fleet of planes over the years. New technology leads to new radios etc etc. I have seen alot of people come and go for alot of reasons over the years, $, commitment, lack of interest, lack of skills, character or lack of it, personal and family and employment reasons. Most who try it usually don't stay with it more than a few times at the field, or a few months, also after 1 year many move on. It is not an easy hobby and that is what makes it so much fun for many of us. Our society, instant satisfaction culture, throw away economy, may not instill the qualities that make for successful modelers as much as it once did. I am sure you are saying to yourself what is this raving manic trying to say! Just this, what more can RC fliers, clubs, officers, AMA leadership do to improve this retention rate? What more can we do to help those new comers be successful at it and stay with it and not leave in a short time? Or is this attrition natural and relative to the nature of the hobby and our society itself? Or is it we lifers are the kooks and everyone else is smarter?

RE: Retention Rate
 

Our society, instant satisfaction culture, throw away economy, may not instill the qualities that make for successful modelers as much as it once did. That statement right there sums it all up in a nutshell. However, let's not get too carried away. Back in the "good old days" (remember, I'm of the new generation), there weren't very many modelers either--for other reasons (way more expensive than today, required much more building, etc.). Today, the hobby is much more accessible to the masses. Therefore, anyone with little $$ and time can try it out, and often do. Problem is, it isn't for everyone (for many of the reasons that you mentioned above). So, people move on, and drop their AMA membership. The difference between yesterday and today is the advent of cheaper technology, and ARF's. This allows more people access to the hobby who otherwise wouldn't ever give it a second thought. So, those people buy their stuff, get their AMA #'s, stick with it until they crash, or lose interest (whichever comes first), then drop everything (including AMA), and move on.

As a matter of fact, I think that the younger generation will actually be the resurection of this hobby (I'm modestly including myself in that statement). i'm not young, but not old either. I say that because this generation has grown up controlling things with their hands on a joystick (insert jokes here). This lends itself to a much faster learning curve than ever before. What can we do to help foster a growing enthusiam for the hobby?
I think we can do several things.
First, get young people (school aged) involved. many would be interested, and eventually make it a lifetime hobby.
Secondly, encourage them to do what interests them (i.e. 3D stuff, or helicopters, or whatever) even if you don't think it's "real flying."
Thirdly, don't act like complete butt's to the younger guys when they come to the field.

There are others, but you can see where I'm heading with this. Encourage younger people, and help them get into the hobby. Some will stick, some won't. That's life.....

RE: Retention Rate
 

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The older guys have most likely been in the hobby longer than many of the younger guys (and gals) have been alive.

Younger folks coming to the field with everything prebuilt and financed on mommy & daddy's credit cards deserve little respect AS MODELERS. Everyone deserves respect as human beings, until proven otherwise.

Younger folks showing up with everything store bought should not expect to be taken as seriously as someone that actually has some building skills. Also, they shouldn't expect older folks to kiss their southern regions simply because they learned how to hover on a simulator or an electric RTF. Those skills really mean nothing to most of the older generation. We know that it is really just a thing that the kids learned that is the modeling equivalent of "Moon Walking". Interesting, but not particularly difficult or worthy of note. The old folks know that if they had had the same opportunities for learning such flying skills, that they too could have done the same thing. After all, we are really all repeats of people that have existed before. It only seems like when you are young that you are superior to the older generations. Believe me, for I have been on both sides of this fence. <G>

There are some old guys with attitudes, just as there are some young guys with attitudes. Growing older does not mean that we entirely lose our personalities. Just as there are very nice young folks with a genuine interest in model aviation, it can be said that there are also older folks that are just as interested and who won't care about the age of a fellow enthusiast even one little bit.

Problems between generations usually isn't caused by the fact that the folks are from different generations, believe it or not. It is usually caused by personality problems of all generational folks at various times.

Since the old folks remember a time when if you didn't build, you didn't fly, it is going to be difficult for them to pretend that you really accomplished something by assembling an ARF. Should they lie? Nor should they be too hard you on either. But, people are people. Some young and old folks won't be able to keep their mouths shut and they will not resist taunting other folks of different cultural backgrounds. Get a thicker skin and be determined to "out nice" the other person. Folks from any generation that enjoy stirring up trouble find that being "out niced" is extremely irritating.

Keep in mind that older folks tend to have more "bad days" than younger folks. When you are young, you cannot imagine the difficulties of old joints, diminished lung and heart capabilities, vision problems, range of motion problems, etc. Treat the old folks well and take care of them. Your turn is coming, if you are lucky to live long enough. I surely hope that you do.

RE: Retention Rate
 

Ain't it the truth...[&o]

Excellent post, Artisan. Your thoughts regarding attitudes is spot on.

I have enjoyed helping younger modelers who are interested, pay attention, and are well-mannered.

The post-adolescents who are allergic to authority in any form and want to be the next 3D wunderkind ("More POWER, dude! 3D ROX!!!)... well, they are generally a source of good entertainment- from a covered position.:eek:

RE: Retention Rate
 

Couldn't agree more Steve.

I am the local grump who has burned out over the years trying to help some youngsters. It can take up your flying day fixing their half baked assembly while they are off yakety yaking with other flyers. Of course they want to do 3D right away (and have the quickness and co-ordination to do it) but not the aerodynamic (nor safety) knowledge/judgement, hence the "duck and run" entertainment.

If they last the season and return next year I am more inclined to take them seriously. Until then, the club instructors can deal with them.