Model Aviation Online - Modeling Spoken Here (July 2007)

... we might be on the threshold
of a new era of modeling activity,
the likes of which hasn't been seen since the 1950s.

I'm fortunate enough to have a back yard that is big enough from which to fly. Numerous RC, FF, and CL "missions" have been conducted from "Hunt International Airport."

     Until the advent of viable electric power, most of those sorties were glow-powered flights. Naturally the sound emitted would bring varying amounts of interest and comments from the neighbors. It also attracted kids.

     When I was a youngster living in the quiet (at least at that time) suburban New Jersey town of Union, I could identify a glow engine running up to a distance of a mile away (or more if the wind direction was right). Within seconds of hearing one fire up, I would be on my bicycle and heading toward the sound. Usually I was just one of a number of kids who showed up to watch some adult or father/son team enjoying CL flying at a local park or school yard.

     Back in those days it was common to fly CL models in parks. You might say that these were the first "park flyers." I'm fairly certain that a large number of modelers got their start by being in the right place at the right time to get a little "stick time" courtesy of some benevolent enthusiast.

     Most localities also had a model airplane club and with that a club field. New modeling "inductees" would quickly find the directions to the field and ask their parents to allow them to attend a meeting or club flying session. It was an era when most parents had the time to do things with their kids and also the inclination to follow through. Many father/son club memberships were the result. The hobby/ sport of modeling was at its peak as a family pastime then.

     I vividly remember flying from our very small front yard in suburban Union in the 1950s. My dad apparently figured that the neighbors never got the chance to come to the local club field to watch us fly, so he thoughtfully brought modeling to them. Our front lawn was so small that even on short lines we were flying out over the street!

     It was a time when the local police on normal patrol would come upon this scene and take a few moments to stop, watch, and even hold up local street traffic so a proper landing could be made on the tarmac when the fuel ran out! Imagine that today. And indeed the neighbors would sit on their porches and watch each flight and applaud each successful landing.

     My neighbors today are, for the most part, an accommodating group; they did not seem to mind an occasional backyard flying session with a glow-engine-powered model. Even some long sessions during holiday picnics were tolerated. I could tell, however, if I pushed the issue and started flying on a daily basis that their tolerance would quickly diminish to complaints.

     Instead of shutting down my personal "airport," I have switched to electric power for all backyard flying activity. Now flying can commence at dawn and no one even knows it is going on. The downside is that no one even knows it is going on.

     Gone are the days when model flying in local communities and urban areas is tolerated from a noise standpoint, but also gone is the lure of the sound of the engine to bring kids and parents to watch and potentially get involved.

     The upside is that it appears that modeling activity in suburban and even urban areas is once again on the upswing. The one major complaint all along has been noise, and now that has been addressed. Whether you are a fan of electric modeling or not, you might be wise to embrace its natural acceptance factor by the public. We might have the chance to once again show modeling to local kids and parents at the park level, and perhaps even with the blessing of the local authorities.

     If we can convince the local park and recreation commissions that we are good neighbors who can offer a wholesome, safe, and nonintrusive pastime for the residents, we might be on the threshold of a new era of modeling activity, the likes of which hasn't been seen since the 1950s. As the saying goes, it's something to think about.

Now I can hear my phone when I'm flying in the back yard, so you can probably reach me at (610) 614-1747. The E-mail-arriving "ding" is harder to hear, but I check it often so try robinhunt@rcn.com if typing is your thing. My local postmaster brought his kids out to watch me fly recently, so he's aware of my affliction and will promptly put modeling mail in my box if you address it to Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083. MA