NewComers
Bob Underwood Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376
Club organization and activities
Early in the life of this column, we addressed some suggested club activities concerning NewComers and youth. Experience in providing information for the aeromodeling public suggests that items of this nature need to be revisited from time to time, due to the significant turnover in membership and the fact that ideas are only relevant at certain times for clubs and individuals.
Individuals who band together for some common purpose sometimes try to maintain a very loose organizational structure. Generally, however, the group so disposed finds it difficult to maintain focus for a variety of reasons. If the common purpose is simply to obtain and maintain a flying site, it will be difficult to limit the activity to only flying and cutting grass. Early on, the acquisition and development of the site will be the adhesive that binds the group. But at some point, as the field needs stabilize, this will cease to be a binding factor.
At this stage groups take various paths to maintain a club rapport. For some, contests or fun-flys become a focus. Others feature many social functions during the year. Mall shows and air shows can be valuable activities for the club, although there are limiting factors for the presentation of both of these. Some clubs present major trade shows as a yearly function. In that case, the club not only can create a focus for members, but generate income as well.
Some of the healthiest clubs exist because they create a balance of activities; more individuals are drawn into the current created by the activity flow. It's healthy and productive. This doesn't necessarily mean that the club grows in size, but the ratio of active participants to overall membership is better.
Unfortunately, many clubs fail to address two areas that can be excellent focal points for club activity. Both fall into the education arena.
Instruction and education programs
Strangely enough, few clubs have planned, well-organized instruction programs. While most maintain a cadre of instructors, what is accomplished on behalf of the club by these instructors is often haphazard. This condition can destroy club member rapport rather than enhance it. Even if the club maintains an instructor list, each instructor will have different expectations and approval levels for their students. Invariably, a squabble will develop about the level of competence of the fliers produced.
Consider the following for club activities:
- Establish an instruction program.
- In its simplest form, it should include standardized flight training for all NewComers.
- As a second stage, provide a program of building techniques.
- Create a program of proficiency levels for flying that can lead NewComers and more experienced modelers to advanced building and flying skills.
I recently received a copy of the "Pilot Guide for the Harrisburg Area Flying Society." This document addressed the first level mentioned earlier, with a touch of advanced training. The program is nicely structured and logical. The folder includes a listing of ground and air instructors, the club's standing rules, and completion check-off spaces for each of the various requirements.
- Section 1: General information (field etiquette)
- Section 2: Aircraft inspection
- Section 3: Getting started
- Section 4: Learning to fly
- Section 5: Advanced training
- Section 6: Flight review
The complete document is too lengthy to reproduce here; however, we have requested permission to provide copies to interested clubs. By the time you read this, we should have them available. You may contact us at (314) 447-4235, Fax (314) 447-6008, by writing Bob Underwood, Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376, or contact Julie Evans at AMA Headquarters.
- Establish a community educational program.
- This is a form of outreach for the club. There are many directions, from simple one-time demonstrations to complex instructional programs such as a credit course for high schools.
If you wish to work with schools, there are two quite different approaches:
- Propose a program directed toward supplementing the regular curriculum — the easiest to implement.
- Devote the program to the actual building and/or flying of models with the children — more difficult and usually must occur outside the school day.
Examples of successful programs
While many programs exist around the country, three successful ones reveal the diversity possible:
- Modeling 101 (J.J. Levine, Marietta, GA)
- A program for upper elementary students. It is a several-step arrangement that moves through models of increasing difficulty. You can learn more by contacting J.J. Levine or by reading his monthly column in Model Builder.
- 7-12 Model Aviation Youth Academy program
- Sponsored by clubs in the Los Angeles area, it has grown to cover a number of high schools. It is a credit course where adopted. Information can be obtained through AMA or by contacting program director Charles Kelley. Articles about the 7-12 program have appeared in Model Aviation.
- Third-grade "Flight" curriculum supplement (Westerners Aero Modelers of Maryland)
- This program supplements the third-grade science curriculum and is used as a culminating activity in all 19 county elementary schools. The presentation involves:
- Beginnings of flight
- Why airplanes fly
- How airplanes are controlled
- Basic historical milestones of flight
- Questions and answers
- RC demonstration
Each presentation involves 5–7 club members and employs handouts, magazines, static displays, visual aids, and other support materials. Clubs interested in pursuing a program of this type should contact Raymond Miles, 6761 Marvin Avenue, Sykesville, MD 21784; Tel: (410) 781-4937.
The Westminster Aero Modelers were one of the first recipients of a grant provided by the Academy through the Youth Education Stipend (YES) program. Creating a program for your club does involve work and commitment; however, the benefits can be considerable. While a major portion of the work may be borne by a small percentage of the membership, the overall feeling of goodwill and community spirit benefits the entire group.
Scholarships and civic outreach
One last thought: check around your area to see if some local civic or state group sponsors a scholarship program. For a number of years, the clubs in the St. Louis area, through the Greater St. Louis Modeling Association, participated in the Missouri Park Board Scholarship Fund by contributing $1,000–$2,000 per year. The awards were given to individuals attending the four state colleges who were going into park administration and recreation work.
The goodwill created with the local park group was considerable, and several individuals who received assistance spread out to other state and national recreation programs. What about your area?
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
