Guest Editorial
By Frank D. Macy
Milwaukie, OR
The Plastic (Throw-Away) Society
Many of us have grown up in the great plastic (throw-away) society. It's so much a part of our daily life that it's almost unpatriotic to own something that isn't plastic. On the other hand, what's more patriotic than being supportive of today's garage-sale mania, fed by our used plastic "whatevers"? Don't throw it away... sell it!
The Effect on the Hobby
In articles and letters in recent years, many concerned modelers have expressed opinions about those good-looking plastic RTF model airplanes in their pretty packages and the negative effect they've had on the hobby. Following the market invasion of these "almost non-flying" RTF items, it wasn't long until we started hearing rumors that CL was a "dying" sport. Then, with the advent of TV and the perfection of RC, good ol' Dad didn't have time to teach anymore. Or if he tried, the kids were most likely watching cartoons on the tube. "Great!" he thought. "Now I can go fly by myself."
Soon the only thing left on the shelf for the kids was the pretty plastic "almost non-flying" RTFs, which Mom could buy at the supermarket discount store instead of the hobby shop. It wasn't long until we were informed that CL was dead, and FF, too, for that matter. When asked why, "they" told us that "the kids aren't interested," "there's no youth market," etc. We blindly accepted what "they" said — after all, "they" should know, right? Some of us kept flying anyway, though officially we were supposed to be dead.
The Myth of "No Youth Market"
We still hear it today... "There's no youth market." It's true that very few young people are involved in model aviation, but that's not the fault of the kids. I protest the phony and erroneous doctrine that "there's no youth market." It's a misleading statement (policy?) that's been shoved down our throats for years.
The truth of the matter is comprised of several things, namely:
- There's nothing available in model aviation for today's youth that's affordable for them.
- We're too busy flying expensive model airplanes to take time to teach the younger generation.
- We don't have enough flying sites, anyway—we don't need more club members.
From this vantage point, it appears that the aeromodeling hobby/sport/industry has completely abandoned the young people... period.
Figures and Analysis
Let me share some figures to back up my boldness, and please understand that I didn't "invent" these numbers. You can also discover them for yourself.
The Academy of Model Aeronautics boasts a membership of approximately 85,000. The average age of today's aeromodeler is 37 and getting older. The average member spends a minimum of $500 annually on his hobby. (How many kids can do that?) That figures out to be $42,500,000 per year — average. Big money, huh?
According to a report in the December 1941 issue of Model Airplane News, the Guggenheim Foundation conducted a survey in 1931 which revealed the astounding fact that almost five million boys and girls were active in model aviation — building, learning, and flying. Are there fewer young people today? Let's suppose we had that many young people in model aviation today, and that each one would spend an average of only $25 annually on the hobby (a conservative figure). That totals about $125,000,000 per year. Add to that the amount spent by the older group, and it comes to a fairly healthy sum.
Fewer Flying Sites? Reassess Priorities
Someone is bound to counter with, "We wouldn't have room to fly if we had that many... we don't have enough now, and we're losing more flying sites all the time," etc. To which I say balderdash! We've got our priorities mixed up.
How many youth organizations, PTAs, neighborhood groups, police departments, civic clubs, business associations, schools, and churches are not concerned with providing safe, clean, educational, and recreational facilities for the youth? How many city or county commissions are uninterested in the youth? Do you know any? To those of you who have "fought the good fight" to save the good ol' flying site (and to those who were present to plead the cause), in most cases I would guess few, if any, have been sympathetic.
Most often the complaint before the hearing committee goes something like this: "We, the members of the Citizens Action Council, object to the flying of said 'toy' model airplanes powered by internal combustion engines because:
- They are too noisy, disturbing the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood.
- They are extremely dangerous and often very hazardous due to control failure, therefore a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the community.
- The area is used by only a few grown men — space that's needed for our Youth Sports and Athletic Center activities.
- Etc."
Very few people, agencies, or committees will be compassionate or understanding toward any group or organization that has little or nothing to do with the kids — especially if that group is a bunch of middle-aged modelers wanting a place to fly their "toy" model airplanes. (Don't take my word for it; ask them.)
There Is a Youth Market
Do you still think there's no youth market? Try telling that to the electronic video-game manufacturers and they'll laugh you right out the front door on their way to the bank. Just who do Nike, Adidas, McDonald's, Burgertown, and Pepsi sell their wares to? Levi's seem to be selling better than ever, and they've been around since the beginning. For that matter, even Playboy and Penthouse recognize a "youth market." The point is: big biz, little biz — who is buying and wearing? Kids, in the mega-millions. There's no great mystery to their success; they simply got something to sell to the kids and they're doing it aggressively. No youth market? That, my friends, is pure bunk!
How to Find Out
Would you like to find out for yourself if the kids are interested? It's very simple. Just go to your hobby shop and buy an inexpensive balsa flying model, or make your own. Get it tested and trimmed, and when the right weather shows up, head for the nearest park or schoolyard — wherever some kids are. Without saying a word, simply start flying, pretending to ignore them. When the kids come over to watch, just keep flying. Soon one of them will get bold enough to ask a question, so be ready for it. Answer it as best you can, and then (here's your chance) ask the following questions: "Have you ever flown a model airplane before?" "Would you like to try it?" I'm warning you, you'd better be ready, because you'll not only discover the fact that they are interested, but you will find yourself having more fun than you've had in years.
Call to Action
It all boils down to this: if you want to save the flying sites; if you want to see model aviation continue as a sport and hobby, as well as an educational and scientific endeavor; if you would like to see the fun and magic restored... then get the youth involved — starting now!
The real heroes are the few in our numbers who have carried the vision and the load for so long by themselves. They have given of their means, time, and talent for years because they have known all along that the kids are "out there," and that someone better do something to reach them. These unsung heroes of model aviation (people like Ed Whitten, Don Ross, Earl Van Gorder) need your help now. The task is too great for just a few to carry because, in effect, we must start from scratch. (Millions of kids think balsa is a new type of plastic foam.) No matter what your special talent or interest, you can help. You've got something to give.
If each one of us will teach and share basic model aeronautics with just one young person for a year, the results will astound you as miracles begin to take place. For instance, we will no longer be a group of middle-aged men looking for places to fly our model airplanes. Young people numbering in the area of 150,000 to 250,000 who are looking for flying sites will have greater influence on any city council. That's your second miracle, and many more will follow.
Closing
If my tone appears to be one of anger, you're reading it right. I'm angry because it has taken me so many years to wake up to the problem, and it took more years for me to check it out. Then even more time to begin doing something about it. I'm angry because so much has been lost in time and money simply because I did nothing. And I really get angry when I watch the eyes of the youth light up with joy and excitement as they discover the magic of model aviation — which I deprived them of for so long. I didn't know they were interested.
Let's "fly" over the generation gap!
A concerned, angry modeler.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
