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From the District X Newsletter

Getting Kids Interested in Modeling

by Mike Brown, Interim District X Vice President

Today’s youth have “more choices” of things to do, such as video games, which for the most part are done indoors. But many still like to do outside things.

So why don’t we see them hanging out watching us fly, asking question after question? I think it’s because clubs are not in towns the way they used to be. Kids can’t watch modelers fly right in their own neighborhoods, becoming interested the way I am sure many of you did when you were young.

So, because most clubs are way out past the edge of town, how can we introduce kids to modeling?

One way is at events where we advertise something such as buddy-box flying, or free rubber-powered airplane building. Parents will bring their kids to those events.

I thought the Park Pilot program would be huge. With very low-cost insurance, pilots could have another club in town, flying little stuff. Then once again we would introduce modeling to kids. If you’ve ever flown a small airplane or helicopter at your local ball field I am sure you know what I mean. I bet you’ve had kids (of all ages) come by to watch and ask questions.

Another way is to go to schools and talk with teachers about our clubs. Invite them out for a field trip or offer to come to the school with a couple club members and build and fly gliders or rubber-powered airplanes. This way we can reach classrooms full of students all at the same time.

That is what this article is about, getting kids interested in aviation, modeling, and learning a little science, math, and a few other things, all at the same time.

The AMA has a program called AeroLab. It is a set of two DVDs, that teaches folks like us, or school teachers, how to teach kids how to build and fly a few simple rubber- and glider-type airplanes (even a paper helicopter), and learn some basic concepts in physical science at the same time. Now before you say, “I can’t teach that stuff,” I never learned it as a kid myself. That is why the DVDs are so good. They teach you how to do it, and it’s simple, basic stuff.

I thought I’d let you know about one part of the program I am going to use soon. It’s been raining every day here lately and it’s something we can do inside a classroom, or several at the same time in a gym. This is the simplified version, but if you get the DVDs it goes into detail with a video of everything.

You build a slide-together, rubber-powered balsa plane. One end of a two-meter piece of string is attached to one end of the wing, the other end is attached to a nail (by means of a paper clip). The nail (in a piece of wood) is taped to something such as an upside down garbage can (to hold the string in the air). You wind the rubber band (the same number of winds each time) and place the airplane on the ground. One student has a stop watch, another will count laps. The airplane is released and within a lap it will take off and the time started. The laps are counted and the time stopped when the wheels touch down. Figuring the distance around the circle and the time flown will give speed. Weight can be added and the effects of drag taught, or two airplanes can be put on the same nail and you have Pylon Racing!

The DVDs are helpful. It’s a simple way to get kids started in modeling and inviting them to the field for a field trip will provide even more fun.

The fun ideas on the DVDs can also be done at the field, but so can others. Take a simple Delta Dart build. It takes about one hour for a group of 40 people to build and balance their creations. That is of course with a good group of volunteers and setting up properly at the start.

If you plan to do this with a larger group, or if you need to get the build done faster (like at a mall show), stick to a glider or simple, slide-together, rubber-powered airplane like the DVDs talk about. These can do the trick nicely.

For a more challenging build, the Delta Darts are only $41.99 for a pack of 35 through the AMA store. All you need to supply are pins, single-edge razor blades (supervised of course), glue, and a building board (which is a small piece of cardboard).

The Northern California R/C Unlimited Flyers like to have the builders meet in the center of the runway at noon for a mass launch.

Remember to read the directions and balance your airplanes. Little rubber planes such as the Delta Dart don’t fly worth a hoot if they aren’t balanced!  Q