Bob (et al),
I have also experienced that problem. But I ask one question...how did
the local club do in nurturing themselves to those kids with a place to take
their interest? That question isn't critical to anyone, but an objective
one. I remember when I first found out that there was actually an
organization that liked free flight and actually had meetings and get togethers and
flying sessions and...well you get the picture.
As having been part of that whole process, those participants need a place
to go from being a high school S/O flyer to being an active flyer in the
AMA or the NFFS. Those that did usually had a mentor or parent that guided
them along. It's a big calling to take someone under their wing and make
the effort to be a mentor, and without that effort to keep the flame
burning, today's kids usually fall back into the video game thing. And, in these
times if you approach a kid to offer a stepping stone you had better go
thru the parents. We usually tell them go to this web site or whatever and
tell them something, but how much follow up is there to them with a brochure,
a club schedule, a designated person that follows up(?). Very little.
I also find it a bit puzzling in recent posts that there is an attitude
that "indoor is OK the way it is and does not need to change" pushing for more
difficult event classes. But, the dichotomy is the success of the pro-am
event. Why were the "ams" interested in that and not rejecting it because
they wanted to build an F1D? Well, because it was within their reach.
If one asks only of newcomers to build something that takes an inordinate
amount of time to even get flying, it sort of defeats the purpose. The
minor leagues in baseball gets those guys capable of stepping into the major
leagues...they just can't step up to the plate as a normal rookie and start
hitting home runs against a Roger Clemens...BTW...any relation?..and can he
get me any tickets?
True, there are some really great indoor flyers and I have had the
privilege to fly with them, albeit my skills aren't up to theirs, but then again,
I am not a dedicated 100% indoor flyer. I have many outdoor free flight
events on the plate too. And like has been presented in the posts, it is
truly fascinating to watch John Kagan, Bill Gowen and Brett Sanborn fly, but I
don't want the only event I can enter to be F1D either. I like the CLG,
Penny and F1L events...I can achieve them and still have fun. Indoor needs
those "dumbed down" events to get the numbers out and maybe then one can
aspire to the full tilt EZB or F1D. And, I admit...at my age I need a mentor
too.
JMHO...
Rick Pangell
Editor of "The Max-Out" Newsletter of
The Magnificent Mountain Men FF Club of Colorado
In a message dated 10/10/2010 11:33:39 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
rclemens2_at_rochester.rr.com writes:
Chris told us, "Long story short, exposure (to indoor flying) is the key."
I agree, but the actual results of exposure to indoor modeling are dismal,
at least where youngsters are concerned. How many years have we exposed
junior and senior high kids to indoor flying via the Science Olympiad Right
Stuff event plus balloon-launched glider and soon the new helicopter event?
Tens of thousands of students have flown nationwide in SO competition over
the years. Many, girls as well as boys, built and flew their models very
well indeed. As a mentor and event director I've seen amazing strides made in
SO flying events. I doubt any other program have or ever will come close
to the exposure level SO has given our hobby. I've also given dozens of
indoor flight demonstrations for schools and Scout groups. Everyone in the many
audiences is always amazed and impressed. But how many of these kids have
begun or continued in full-fledged indoor flying/competition? A literal
handful. Yes, a small group of SO graduates have most certainly done very well
for themselves. But what of the other thousands? They are gone, probably
never to come back. That's a pretty poor return, from our standpoint, for
the effort many of us have expended in the SO movement. These days I'm
flying and competing mostly outdoors. I see the same problem there, at the same
time realizing exposure of outdoor flying to potential newcomers, young or
old, is much more unlikely.
I believe the simply fact is that model airplanes (as well as full scale
aircraft and aviation in general) of whatever type simply don't hold
anywhere near the lure for today's kids as they did- and still do for us . I doubt
that this lure can ever be recreated on any meaningful scale. We will get
a few kids plus some adult newcomers and returnees, but the glory days of
our hobby, indoors or out, are gone. We are a slowly dying breed, like it or
not. I plan to enjoy it as long as I can. Thankfully it will certainly
outlive me.
Bob Clemens
Fine Photographic Prints
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http://BalsaBob.imagekind.com/_ (
http://balsabob.imagekind.com/)
Received on Sun Oct 10 2010 - 17:17:52 CEST