Model Aviation Online - Modeling Spoken Here (December 2007)

Thank you ...
for just taking time to
read what I've had to say

Good-byes are never easy. This one will be tougher for me than most. I am retiring from the post of aeromodeling editor with this issue, and I'm leaving behind a career in editing that spans almost 30 years.

     In that time I've learned on-the-job what a model-airplane magazine is about. It's not about airplanes; it's about people. In order for any of the technical stuff to make any sense and be valuable, it is necessary to know what the people in the hobby want, where they want to go with their interest, and how best to fulfill these needs.

     To accomplish this, an editor must learn the most valuable lesson of all; he or she must learn how to listen. Without feedback from the entire modeling family it is impossible to know what to print and in what format it should be presented.

     A cursory look at our AMA family will reveal that there are myriad special interest groups, each with a focus on a specific type of modeling. At first glance this might seem to suggest that we are splintered and have no connection to each other, save membership in the same parent organization.

     What it really shows is that modeling has grown up and grown out. The simpler modeling disciplines of yesteryear have paved the path to extraordinary technical development and mind-blowing model performance in all directions.

     Our models are larger and smaller than ever before. They fly faster and slower than ever before. They are simpler and more complex than ever before. Yes, it is truly an amazing time to be involved in model aviation.

     It all started, however, with someone gaining an interest in modeling as a hobby or pastime. And that initial interest was probably sparked by coming into contact with another modeler somewhere along the line. This is a process that goes back to the very beginnings of the hobby/sport. And this is where I believe we now need to focus our attention.

     Some of our disciplines have become so complex that it takes all our spare time and energy to just keep abreast of a single type of modeling. That leaves precious little time or energy to put any effort or thought into the long-term health and survival of our mutual passion.

     Perhaps it's time to give back just a little by remembering where we came from and realizing that there are others who are striving to become involved just as we did. They need our good counsel and our leadership, just as we took good advantage of the help offered by those who got us involved. It's another "pay it forward" scenario.

     But how can we all do something that will help, and yet still find time for our own interests? There are those who are called to serve as their principal involvement, and these people get true joy from helping others all the time. Let's remember that point; they want to do this, and they are happy doing it.

     For many of us, an actual program of helping others to get involved in, and teaching them specific lessons about, modeling is just not possible. Don't feel guilty! Life is short and there's no need to apologize for having some fun and enjoying your hobby/sport in the snippets of time left between the cold, hard realities of making a living.

     Here's a thought. We can all make it a point to mention our interest in modeling to at least someone every day.

     We can put photos of our models on our office walls and AMA or club stickers in our car windows. We can take a moment to look around when we are flying and see if there is someone watching who may have an interest. And if we do see someone, we can strike up a conversation and determine if we can help that person take the next step in becoming involved. It may be as simple as carrying a card that lists the hobby shops in your area or the number of your club's membership chairman.

     None of these things take much time, nor do they take you away long from your specific task. It's simply sowing seeds.

     I'm a huge fan of well-written music and lyrics. My personal all-time favorite songwriter is Jackson Browne. He has a way of cutting through to the heart of a matter with very straightforward but eloquent verses.

     I'm going to leave you with just one thought from one of Jackson's songs, "For a Dancer," as it really sums up what I've been trying to say. In the following verse, just substitute the word "modeler" in your mind when you read the word "dancer."

"Into a dancer you have grown, from a seed somebody else has thrown. Go ahead and throw some seeds of your own. And somewhere between the time you arrive and the time you go, may lie a reason you were alive, but you'll never know."

I would like to take a moment to thank the entire MA crew and all those who work at AMA. They have become family to me, and I will miss them dearly.

And finally, thank you all for your friendship, your thoughts, your criticisms, your patience, and most of all for just taking time to read what I've had to say. MA