New Comers
Bob Underwood
Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376
THIS MONTH'S OFFERING
This month's offering includes a discovery (with attendant observations) and two letters containing excellent ideas.
Around Thanksgiving, my wife and I journeyed to the area of our nation's capital to visit our youngest daughter. We wandered to the Mall and just happened to poke our noses into the National Air and Space Museum.
What to our wondering eyes should appear but a big room filled with interactive gadgets and displays designed to reveal how things fly! One might conclude that the exhibit was designed for kids, but everyone can learn. Maybe that's overboard if you're a retired astronaut, Burt Rutan, or hold dual degrees as a professor of aeronautical principles and engineering. In any case, the exhibit featured good "stuff."
Multiple computer displays showed the effectiveness of airfoils from Bleriot to Boeing; relative strengths of materials, along with elasticity and weight, were displayed; a Cessna was there to sit and play in; a cockpit with controls allowed visitors to "fly" a model in an airstream, and countless more neat things were displayed.
Volunteers were available to answer questions; I talked to a glider pilot with an interesting background in aviation. Smithsonian Educational Department members were available too, as were simple activity pamphlets and projects. Live presentations by docents were scheduled throughout the day in a mini-amphitheater.
You say it sounds neat? You say it's just what you've been looking for, but your school district in Idaho just doesn't allow field trips to Washington, D.C.? Drop the museum a line requesting materials; tap their online address at: http://www.nasm.edu, or fax: (202) 633-8928. Items available include:
- School Programs Brochure grades K-12
- Science Activities for Families grades 5-9
- Destiny in Space grades 4-12
- Cosmic Voyage grades 4-12
The Cosmic Voyage, billed as a "Travel Guide for Educators," features materials that work in conjunction with the newest film "Cosmic Voyage," in IMAX theaters everywhere (excluding the one at the National Air and Space Museum).
To receive a fax listing IMAX theater locations, dial (416) 960-9005. Listen for the voice instructions; press 5; press 1; and follow the instructions for entering your fax number. If you are in the D.C. area, time will be well-spent visiting the "How Things Fly" gallery!
Letter from Harold Reuter
Two letters I received containing excellent ideas will hopefully tickle your thought processes as much as they did mine. The first letter is from Harold Reuter of Lake Orion, Michigan, in response to one of my columns briefly mentioning the concepts of developing AMA generic programs:
"While in agreement with your recent article that a generic program for NewComers is not productive in all cases, such an article could be constructive if used as a general outline. From my own experience in attempting to start a program for kids, I found it frustrating to find a beginning. I am sure that there are others willing to get involved, but don't know the best initial approach. But once started, the program would do as you say; the program will flow in and around the group.
"Information from individuals in regard to how they were able to initiate a program would help others get started. A few dos and don'ts would be helpful, as well as the particular aircraft and reasons for choosing.
"I started with a new parks and recreation director looking for creative activities for a summer program, and have since worked with the library — a mother stated that her father always wanted to build but didn't have any place or person to help. There are people out there with an interest but don't know where to go. So, the first step would be to contact an organization that has good public contact, such as a place to build. Second might be to determine what materials would be provided and definitely a fee.
"With the help from our club and local hobby shop, I provided all materials except the cutting instrument. This, I felt, was a parental responsibility. No super glues, as they require good joints and lead to everything becoming stuck (pins, waxed paper, plans and board).
"Next, pick the project. I opted for the Stringless Wonder, modified with two extra sticks for the wing panels, providing three complete frameworks. Covering is done by laying the paper flat, applying a glue stick to each framework piece and pressing in place on the paper, which is then trimmed. Then the three panels are glued together. This method makes it easier and neater to cover. This model airplane is the best beginner project, as it is simple and invariably a good flier.
"At present, I am to meet with the Orion Area community/school Advisory Council. This is a local organization, including Boys and Girls Clubs, looking for ways to prevent drug/alcohol abuse and create drug-free activities for area youth. The biggest hurdle is finding a room to use, and helpers. Self-esteem seems to be the most important issue for today's youth. Our hobby can help provide this if all the vocal concerns were directed at some involvement.
"There are benefits to all those fliers and clubs that need a flying site. One gets to meet a lot of local officials and civic leaders to present ourselves as good guys.
"My initiation of a work group, from our club, for the state park, has made our club a leader in respect from the state. Our local hobby shop, Village Hobby, offers the kids a discount.
"I am not a professional educator, only a longtime builder.
"One more point, don't stress the hobby as flying, stress only that this is a hobby and that the satisfaction is in doing to the level one chooses, whether building or flying."
It would be great to have a document laying the training program process down step-by-step. If the individual (or group) wished to deviate in some fashion, he or she might be able to add to the equation. Most of the materials necessary to provide such a generic list have appeared during this column's two-plus years, although the listing is fragmented and possibly incomplete. I am working on such a project now.
I remind Harold, and each of you, that right now we have basic formats and contact for almost a dozen successful programs! We've mailed out hundreds of abstracts during the past few months for programs such as the 7-12 Model Aviation Youth Academy, Modeling 101, etc. The abstracts are also available on the AMA web page.
Regarding the last line concerning flying versus building, I think flying is an end result. An airplane isn't an airplane unless it flies! But Harold is correct in saying that many modelers enjoy building and can realize goals by seeing someone else fly their model.
Letter from Jack Warehime
The second letter was addressed to Dave Brown, our president, and is from Jack Warehime of Melbourne, Florida:
"I would like to propose something which has no doubt been hashed over before, but not to my knowledge. I would like to suggest a 'school' to provide an overall basic training course for would-be or novice miniature aircraft builders and fliers.
"There has been a life-long interest in aviation for me, with my first 'ride' some 70 years ago, in a four-passenger (plus pilot) Hi Standard biplane. Flight during WW II as an observer, and subsequently as a private pilot, left me with one impression. The best way to learn something is to be properly instructed in a disciplined learning environment.
"Going out to a flying field and depending on some busy pilot's kindness is one way. And possibly the only way available to some. The same applies to building, where good kits and pretty fair instructions are available. And yes, I have Figley's manual on engines. But generally, all this is on a 'when you are available' and 'when I am available' basis.
"Therefore, what I am proposing is the establishment of a genuine and realistic school (academy?) to give a basic course in the various techniques needed to go from purchase of equipment through construction and solo flight. Such a course (possibly one week) would cover such construction data (and follow-up) as:
- Types of materials for various types of construction.
- Engines—how they function, and basic repair.
- Covering materials and how to apply them.
- Radio equipment: what and how much is needed.
- Flight training (if required) through 'solo.'
- Care and maintenance of your aircraft.
"I would propose that this school be initially at Muncie with, if interest develops, a 'road show' to go to various parts of the country. There would, of course, have to be a costing acceptable to the students.
"Building and learning to fly miniature aircraft has been a several-year process for me, generally on a 'do-it-myself' basis. But now, at age 76, I am no longer interested in either long-term methods or green bananas. I would, however, be interested in some capably-imparted knowledge in all of the afore-mentioned subject, in a scheduled environment.
"Does all this make any sense to anyone but me? By the way, I do have the Dave Brown video, and fly the neck out of it, but I think its best usage is in learning to use the radio gear rather than as a stand-alone trainer.
"We have a good club, by size and personnel standards (Indian River Kontrol Society) but, as usual, the ones who would give the most help are also the ones who are already doing the most work in other club activities, and are therefore time-limited. It would be worth it to me to go somewhere for a period of time, and concentrate on the things I want to learn.
"May I hear your thoughts on this?"
Yep! This training program subject surfaces about every five years, we kick it around a bit, and it fades. Jack's excellent ideas are very much needed, so why haven't they happened? I have observed throughout the years that there are several reasons, but I'm not suggesting they are good reasons!
Initially, the problem seems fairly simple and straightforward, but it really isn't.
First, Jack's letter is talking specifically about his interest—RC. The Academy must be responsive to all types of modeling activities and flying.
Second, there is the personnel matter. Would the "road shows" or the Muncie staff be paid staff members? The AMA staff is really stretched thin, especially during the flying season.
Third, somebody, hopefully free from the biases concerning instruction, has to organize the program. At one point in time during discussion, brands of equipment to use became an issue—AMA has always steered clear of product reviews or any other form of brand involvement.
Last, there's the program cost. It could be self-sustaining at Muncie, but it's unlikely that a "road show" could sustain itself.
I can hear Jack and many of you saying that none of those reasons are good for not doing a program—you're correct! All of the obstacles could be overcome, but membership effort is needed to adopt and support the concept through contact with the board of directors (the Executive Council), and with a pledge of support from those wishing to volunteer.
Please remember that AMA is not an individual entity operating independently; each member is AMA. Members elect the volunteer directors and the Headquarters staff is hired to help administer the policies and programs.
Who among this column readership might be willing to help us develop a program such as the one suggested by Jack? Or perhaps we can let it fade again—and revisit it in 2001!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
