Now You're Talking
In my experience this past year trying to organize and operate a "Learn to Build and Fly RC" class series, many of the points Bob Underwood stressed in the August 1997 "NewComers" article are quite valid, and clubs should sit up and take notice.
Newcomers want to get in the air and fly today. With some, the time it takes to build their own airplane from a kit is just not available. With others, however, we have found that once the newcomer is coached past the initial stages of ICB (I Can't Build) Syndrome, they enjoy the building phase of the hobby and take far more pride in their aircraft than the ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) student-pilot.
The need to fly today is curbed with simulator and hands-on buddy box training, all included as part of the "Learn to Build and Fly" program.
All clubs really should have some type of "Learn to Build and Fly" program, regardless of the club's flying style (RC sport, soaring, helicopters, control line, etc.). It is in the best interest of everyone involved with the hobby for clubs to take an active role in teaching newcomers. Clubs benefit from increased membership; manufacturers, distributors and hobby shops sell products; insurance-related incidents go down (or they should); and the newcomer does not feel like he or she is trying to climb Mt. Everest alone on their first outing.
AMA and many clubs are focusing their teaching efforts at the school level, which is to be commended. There is a void, however, in the area of adult newcomer programs and available assistance. Many people—myself included, at one time—just don't know how to ask for help.
I was very lucky in my newcomer days when three of the best in RC aerobatics stopped what they were doing to "show me the right way." I have never forgotten the unselfishness of Chip Hyde, Don Weiss, and Frank Kelly, and now I try to repay those lessons by teaching others.
"Many people . . . just don't know how to ask for help."
At the time I was a newcomer, Chip was unbeatable, and he and Don and Frank could have very easily continued their aerobatics practice, letting me "learn the hard way" how not to fly RC. The result would have been a newcomer lost forever.
There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of prospective adult newcomers who feel the effects of ICB Syndrome. Many of these potential newcomers never get past the spectator stage, simply because they don't know how to ask for help and the local club does not have any type of newcomer program.
Teaching adults
Teaching adults requires a whole bunch of "people skills." Adult newcomers can get frustrated quicker and drop out sooner than teenage students. Adults seem to think they should "get this right away" and when they don't, it takes a professional attitude from the instructor to keep the adult newcomer interested and ready to come back for more.
The biggest tip in teaching adult newcomers: keep it fun! Don't work the adult newcomer any harder than you would a young student. Most adult newcomers find the hand-to-eye coordination difficult to master at first, but if the instructor takes small steps and keeps the lessons fun, progress will be made and the adult newcomer is "hooked" just like the rest of us.
Single parents
Another source for potential newcomers that is often overlooked by instructors and clubs is the single parent. Our past two classes included single parents, who initially were just going to "drop off" their kids. We got them hooked by inviting them to class, showing them the simulators, and demonstrating how easy it is to get started building RC kits.
Many single parents enjoy jigsaw puzzles, and when you explain that an RC kit can be thought of as a "3-D jigsaw puzzle" which they can cut their own pieces to fit, they become interested right away. Parent/child teams should be openly welcomed by teaching programs, providing "same price for both" discounts just to get them started.
ARF students
How do we handle the ARF student? There is a growing trend, like it or not, toward ARF students. Many simply do not have the time or space to lay out and build a kit, while others have ICB Syndrome. We encourage our ARF students to take the entire building portion of the class, just to show them that when they nick their ARF with a less-than-perfect landing (which we all have, sooner or later!), they have the ability to repair it and continue in the hobby without having to spend a lot of money buying more ARFs.
Many of our ARF students have discovered that they want an airplane with their own color designs, and their second airplane is built from a kit. All it takes is a gentle nudge in the right direction and model fliers become true modelers.
Benefits of teaching newcomers
- Increased club membership
- More sales for manufacturers, distributors, and hobby shops
- Fewer insurance-related incidents
- Newcomers feel supported and are more likely to stay in the hobby
Clubs and instructors can have a direct influence on the hobby by taking the time to teach building. Just like newcomer ICB Syndrome, there are many clubs and instructors out there who are afraid to try or ask for help. They would be very good at teaching if they brave the water and jump in. It's not that difficult!
Any club or instructor who would like information on our program—what we have found to work, and what doesn't—please feel free to write.
Author / Contact
Tim Davis Propnuts R/C Club 6001 San Fernando Dr Las Vegas, NV 89108
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
