Newcomers
Box 40, St. Peters MO 63376
The genesis of this column sprang from a dialogue in late 1993 or early 1994. For a number of years, Model Aviation carried a beginner's page that worked diligently at directing aeromodelers toward simple, rewarding projects and ideas. As emphasis began to shift toward additional AMA education programs and the nature of the membership changed, the concept for a magazine presentation followed suit.
Almost everyone will concede that education should never stop. From birth to death, new experiences bring enlightenment. In that sense, age provides no basis for limiting the creation of new ideas, skills, or experiences.
Many of the persons who are becoming involved in our hobby/sport may be advanced in age. They may well have arrived at our doorstep with some level of earlier aeromodeling experience. Therefore, we elected to call the column "Newcomers." This seemed to cover the youngsters and the "oldsters" with or without previous aeromodeling experience.
From the outset, it was obvious to me that the column would be difficult to write. Clearly, there were two issues to cover:
- We needed to provide direct help to the newcomer in a form that may be simplistically referred to as "how to glue stick A to stick B." This needed to cover a range of information concerning selection of kits, adhesives, simple projects, safety and flying-site etiquette, and a host of other issues.
- Providing information regarding the educational programs being developed and catalogued by the Academy to clubs and individuals.
In the column's infancy, it was not too difficult for me to fill both these needs. However, with the creation of the Education Committee and an inspired commitment to enhancing and supplementing the Academy's education programs, problems began to emerge.
"We're back to gluing Stick A to Stick B."
I labored mightily to alternate months. That worked for a while. Then the educational activities escalated and the urgency to report them became greater. The results achieved through the YES (Youth Education Stipend) grants, attendance at education conferences, cooperative efforts with EAA and the Smithsonian, and many more, created a diminishing effort on my part to provide direct assistance to the newcomer. The last four months or so reveal a loss of focus—a hodgepodge of information for the column.
A recent column alluded to an announcement that a new position would probably be established in the near future. The "near future" is here—this column is being written (the first week of November), and the Headquarters staff in Muncie has a full-time Education Coordinator. My "part-time from St. Louis" position of Education Director has hit a boomer of a thermal and is out-of-sight. Please understand that it is not because someone disconnected my dethermalizer, but rather because I suggested to the powers that be that the education payload I was attempting to carry working part-time from home was creating a wing loading that was going to cause structural failure (not mine—the program's).
It has been determined that a new bird will arise from the recent ashes of this column's attempt to cover too much territory. Call this a "Phoenix" experience if you like, but what you will find in this and subsequent issues of Model Aviation is a new column solely related to the Academy's educational effort, written by our new Education Coordinator, Mike Stokes. The "Newcomers" column will direct its attention solely to the purpose of providing newcomer help.
We will be back to gluing stick A to stick B.
I remain a member of the Education Committee and will continue to assist with various projects. I will continue to work major trade shows and be involved in other AMA projects and committees. There will be a transition period, during which I will help Mike with any historical overview of the educational activities. You should, however, now direct your educational concerns to Mike at AMA Headquarters.
As Ed McMahon would say on the Tonight Show, "And now, heeee's Mike—" (Note to self: Get Stormavik done for next season's competition!)
Thank you, Bob! There is neither time nor space for me to relate Bob's accomplishments within the Academy and the impact he has had on the organization. I am honored and humbled to be following in his unique and very large footsteps.
Beginning with this issue there will be two very individual columns with a common thread. Bob will continue to write the "Newcomers" column; I will be starting a brand-new column in the "AMA News" section: "Focus on Education." Check us out. Tell us what you think, and tell us what will help us to serve you in promoting our hobby/sport.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
