I found a copy of Clarence Mathers description of the origins of the A-6 Class and have uploaded it to the Files section.
As a person who has actively tried to attract new blood to the hobby I think a major part of the problem is tied to the fact that for most of us we have to travel some distance to get to a flying venue. This requires not only the commitment of the a younger modeler to learn and develop the skills required but also depends on the support and commitment of parents to invest money for materials and a large commitment in time driving to and from the venue.
Over the past 4 years our group in Denver has managed to attract perhaps 4 new members, all in their mid 30's or older.
As a Amateur radio operator that proudly operates using CW exclusively (Morse Code) I can say that indoor FF and morse code have much in common. The skill set required to be successful takes a little longer to develop and they both rely on less to do more. But once the skills have been developed the magic begins and the personal satisfaction is great.
Steve Smith KI0MZ
Castle Rock, CO
--- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, Marty Alderman <mda35@...> wrote:
>
> I've seen pages of discussion about the details of the A-6 rules,
> admittedly not an easy thing on which to get consensus. If people agree
> that A-6 is a class which is supposed to get beginners hooked on indoor
> FF competition, then why has there been only one comment about my post
> on having ONE two-division class where only beginners are allowed to
> compete for the trophy in the beginners division? It means an extra set
> of trophies, but c'mon guys! Focus! How can we bring newbies into
> trying indoor FF competition AND get them hooked????? I suggested we
> put out some candy (trophies!)
>
> I find the rules discussion interesting, but it has become a separate
> issue from getting and keeping newbies, and our hobby NEEDS to get and
> keep newbies if it is to survive. There has been some discussion of how
> to bring newbies into the hobby in the past, but IMHO we need a more
> robust 'Survival of the Hobby' thread separate from the A-6 rules
> thread. Or is this hobby actually another 'creative anachronism' like
> using Morse code on Ham Radio?
>
> Best,
>
> Marty
>
> P.S. - I like Morse code, too.
>
> --
> Marty Alderman
> Physics Teacher!
> Cornell University Visiting Faculty
> 2007-9 Cornell PhysTEC TIR (Teacher In Residence)
>
> 128 Clark Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
> 607.255.0165
> mda35_at_...
>
> At some point in their lives, most people ask themselves:
> "Does my life have meaning?"
> Most teachers answer it emphatically:
> "Absolutely! YES!"
>
Received on Sun Feb 07 2010 - 16:35:50 CET
This archive was generated by Yannick on Sat Dec 14 2019 - 19:13:46 CET