Modeling Spoken Here - 2001/02
Bob Hunt — Aeromodeling Editor
The actual usage of our models—flying them—is indeed a sport.
For those of us who grew up building and flying model airplanes, the term "hobby" has been the norm for labeling what we do when we explain our passion to others. "My hobby is model airplanes." We've been using this expression for so long, it may have never occurred to us that by today's standards, the term "hobby" may have a completely different meaning to those who are younger and to those who have never been model-airplane enthusiasts.
We may be doing ourselves a disservice.
I received a letter from John Brodak addressing the above with great concern. In the interest of saving space, I'll direct you to Frank McMillan's "Control Line Aerobatics" column in this issue; John also sent Frank a copy. Go ahead and read it; I'll wait.
I'm pretty much in agreement with John's views on this subject. The actual usage of our models—flying them—is indeed a sport. Building them is still a hobby. Each term is correct for the particular activity. You could substitute "craft" for "hobby," but the reality is still a big part of the whole which cannot technically be considered a "sport."
John's perspective is that of a control-line enthusiast, but his comments open a much larger door; behind that door are many different opinions on the subject, relating to each aspect and discipline of our pastime.
Sport or hobby? If I was compelled to pick one term and live with it, I would opt for sport—no question. Why?
As John's letter suggests, the perception of the average person is that a sport is more serious than a hobby. Those in charge of park usage or municipal field scheduling will probably not consider allowing such precious real estate to be used for hobby purposes. In fact, the site in question is normally referred to as a "sports field."
We have become a sports-minded society. In addition to the "classic" sports (baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and most recently in this country, soccer), we now have "extreme sports" to consider. Virtually everything that can be done with, in, or on a given piece of wheeled, hulled, or winged equipment is now considered a viable sport. Sports are what you make them these days; for that reason alone, we must present our pastime to the masses as such.
We can make an agreement amongst ourselves to still revere the hobby/craftsmanship aspects of model-airplane design and construction.
How different the aforementioned and other accepted sports would be if those who participated in them were required to build their own equipment. Would Dorothy Hamill have won her Olympic gold medal in figure skating if she had to craft the leather boots for her skates, then cut, shape, and sharpen the metal for the blades? Probably not, but many participants in other noted sports build all their equipment. Do they refer to the construction of that gear as a "hobby"?
You could put us under the umbrella of "motor sports," except that in those sports the participant sits in or atop the equipment in question, and steers, pilots, or rides it. His or her body is involved with the motion of the equipment. So can we say that in order to be a motor sport, your physical well-being must be endangered in some way?
How about coming up with our own contracted sports-category name? How about "techno sports" or "model sports"? Semantics is what we are talking about in the end. What words conjure up the proper images to present to those who can do us some good in terms of real-world exposure and real-world acceptance? Education is a big part of it.
I have no problem with athletics and/or the organized sports that young adults play. I think it's great to get them involved with something that teaches positive lessons while building strong bodies and minds. However, it bothers me terribly that there is so much for the athletically inclined kids to do, and there are practically no organized activities for the kids who are technically inclined. Sure, we have modeling programs for the younger set, but have they been effective in getting the message out? Perhaps our focus is wrong.
Maybe we should encourage competition a bit more. Competitive sports are swelling with participation. If the average kid had something to do with his model when he's finished—something that was properly organized and administered on the local level—we might see an upswing in activity. Does there have to be a competitive aspect for an activity to be considered a sport?
Of course not. Many find pleasure in playing tennis or golfing for fun. Modern faired-in motorcycles are called "sport bikes," but most of them are never used in a competitive situation. Model airplanes (maybe we should call them miniature airplanes) can be, and for the most part are, built and flown for fun. Those who enjoy them on that level should never have to feel pressure to compete. Perhaps the term "recreational sport" is most appropriate.
I passed this editorial by my old friend and AMA President Dave Brown, and by AMA’s Director of Publications, Rob Kurek, just to hear comments on an important issue. They came up with the same thought on the subject; the gist is that most competitors do not consider themselves "sport fliers." This is odd, because competition flying comes much closer to the dictionary’s meaning of the word "sport." They prefer the label "competition flier."
Conversely, those who prefer to keep the designation "hobby" tend to call themselves "sport fliers"! Go figure!
In no way do I wish to diminish the lessons learned or the enjoyment gained from model building. It is where I receive my greatest satisfaction, and I suppose I will always consider it a hobby. Nor do I think everyone should become involved with competition flying. Enjoy this pastime any way that makes you happy and content.
If rethinking how we present this activity to the masses will gain us more participants and more places to participate, I would gladly refer to it, in its entirety, as a sport.
Communication
- Office telephone: (610) 614-1747
- Fax: (610) 746-9638
- Mail: Bob Hunt, Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor, Box 68, Stockertown, PA 18083-0068
- Email: robinhunt@earthlink.net
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
