PRESIDENT TO PRESIDENT
A Father's Push to Model Aviation
by Dave Mathewson, AMA President
I’m sitting here punching out this
column the week before Father’s Day. If she had a
chance, the Insider editor would probably tell you
that it’s really the Friday before Father’s Day and
this column is already several days late. But that’s
another story!
Like many of us, I’ll be spending some time with my
dad on Sunday. I consider myself pretty fortunate
that I still have the opportunity to do that. It’s
because of my dad that I became a modeler. Like most
kids, I was involved in the typical activities most
kids were growing up: sports, played in the school
band, and was involved in some extracurricular
school activities. But the one thing that maybe
wasn’t quite as typical, and the one thing I enjoyed
the most was model aviation—building and flying
model airplanes.
Almost every weekend when the weather was good I’d
head to the local flying field with my dad. Of
course, there was always the stop at the local ice
cream stand on the way.
Depending on how things went, sometimes there was
also the additional stop on the way home to help
ease the pain of picking up the pieces of a model
that didn’t fare so well that day.
When the weather wasn’t quite as nice, we’d head to
the basement to build our next models. My dad, who
doesn’t fly much anymore, was a good flier and a
great builder. In fact, I learned so much from him
in that shop that it gave me the skills needed to be
successful in my eventual career.
I can remember when iron-on coverings were first
introduced to modelers. He gave it a try. The model
came out like most of his models but his only
comment was, “Nice stuff, but not for me.” He liked
silk and dope, something some of our younger members
have probably never heard of.
When I got married and had kids of my own, as most
of us do, I tried to continue the family tradition.
Both my son and daughter grew up at the field. And
while neither are active modelers right now, I’ll
bet at least one will fly again someday. And, it’s a
pretty safe bet that their kids will get the chance
to fly, too.
So, what’s the point of all this? My point is that
model aviation is a terrific educational and
recreational family activity. It’s something that
families can do together—and there are many AMA
families that do just that. It’s fun and, like me,
you may learn a thing or two along the way.
Next time you head out to the field, think about
bringing someone along with you to share the day. A
husband, a wife, son or daughter, or maybe even a
brother or sister. I’ll bet they’ll have a good time
and you’ll both enjoy the company. You might even
create a new modeler along the way.
Thanks for letting me reminisce a little bit, and to
all you dads, a belated Happy Father’s Day.
See you next time … Q
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