Model Airplanes
Insider Info
If the sound of a whirring motor has ever disturbed your quiet walk in
the park, then you've likely experienced model aeronautics before.
People interested in this hobby build, fly and operate scaled-down versions
of real planes, helicopters and rockets, using remote-control radio technology.
It's a far cry from the paper airplanes you folded as a kid. With this
hobby, the sky's the limit!
Take an open area, add some people who have a knack for flying, include
their planes and you've got a recipe for a fly-in. There are clubs all
across North America that welcome new members, or visitors who would just
like to see if model airplanes might be for them.
Anyone from age four and up might be interested in this hobby, according
to Gary Smith of the Westerville Model Aeronautics Association. He has seen
some people as young as four and five fly a plane, but says that's pretty
young.
Anyone who has an interest in the principles of flying might be interested
in model aeronautics. Smith says that about 98 percent of the pilots that
he knows are male.
Many people who are retiring are finding that flying is an enjoyable way
to spend their leisure time. As well, fathers and sons or daughters take this
up as a family hobby. This is a hobby that can be shared with others, or enjoyed
on an individual basis.
The number of people involved in this hobby is growing all the time. In
Canada, there are 13,000 members of the Model Aeronautics Association. In
the United States, the Academy of Model Aeronautics has a chartered group
in most states. Smith's club in Ohio has about 200 members.
Fees to join clubs vary, depending on where you join and your age. For
junior flyers, the price is less. For adults, the memberships tend to be around
$40 per year.
One interesting group is the Scale Warbird Racing Association in Arizona.
They advertise the thrill, excitement and nostalgia of racing radio-controlled
piston-driven warbirds. They organize races around pylon-racing courses.
In these races, the pilots fly in a counter-clockwise rotation, around
two pylons, with the aircraft flying parallel to the runway in both directions.
Beginners and experts compete against people of equal skill. These races are
meant to be fun for spectators and participants.
Getting Started
You can purchase a plane and all the gear you will need for between $150
and $200. Hobby and specialty stores sell the supplies. You might want to
read your local classified section or check out the Internet to save money
by buying used equipment.
More experienced pilots will tell you to start out with a trainer. These
models are slow and easy to fly with a small sport engine. Sometimes learning
the ropes can try your patience, so these planes make it a bit easier to start.
You will also have to decide if you want to build a plane, or buy one that
is all ready to go.
Beginners should ask others who already know what they are doing to show
them the moves and how to avoid crashing. They probably know from experience!
Actually, some beginner planes have dual controls. That way, if the beginner
is uncertain of what to do, someone with more experienced will bail you out.
Smith says that flying a model plane is like flying a full-sized plane,
but harder. "You have to be able to observe it. It's easier to do when
you are facing the same direction as the plane, but you have to turn it around
sooner or later. When you do, everything is opposite."
Once you get the hang of it, look out! Smith has seen people do things
with remote-controlled aircraft that are impossible to do with real planes.
Master the laws of gravity and the air is your playground.
If you like to fly model planes, you may want to think about these career
choices:
Pilot: An obvious choice if you want to be in the air with the
plane, but still in control of things.
Flight attendant: If you like to fly and also enjoy dealing with
the public, this might be the choice for you.
Hobby store owner: You could specialize in remote control products
and share your love for model aeronautics with others.
Associations
Westerville Model Aeronautics Association
P.O. Box 87
Worthington
,
OH
43085
USA
Internet
:
http://www.wmaa-wags.org/
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 E. Memorial Dr.
Muncie
,
IN
47302-9252
USA
Internet
:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/
Publications
Model Airplane News
Internet
:
http://www.modelairplanenews.com
Getting Started in Radio Controlled Airplanes,
by
Gerry Yarrish
Links
Indoor Model Aircraft
Lots of links here
Model Flight.com
Plenty of good links
Radio Controlled Airplanes
Check out this Web ring
Back to Career Cluster