The whole rental-car experience was actually quite painless, and after tidying up the return paperwork I rushed for the door. In the middle of those three or four steps, the rental clerk cheerfully asked, "Were you happy with our service, and was there anything else we could have done differently?"
     Stopped in my tracks, the world of quick fixes, fast assembly, and rapid recharging quickly flashed before my eyes. Having paid my bill in full, here was someone who still wanted to know if there was any way I could have been made happier.
     Off the top of my head, I was really just thrilled to death that the family trip didn't include the usual famine, flood, and locust, yet still the question itself was enormously refreshing.
     I really didn't have any comments to share at the time (still don't), but my mood—holy cow, my mood after being asked was dramatically improved, all because someone thought to ask me how things could be done better.
     True, my reply to the question posed wasn't the solution to world peace, but the attention made me reflect on how important it is to remind people how much they matter. Modeling as a whole offers the opportunity to do things well and to share the benefits. What a great practice it is for so many other things, huh?
     Laddie Mikulasko joins us again with a model he designed specifically for MA. The project began exactly a year ago, with a phone conversation during which he asked, "What airplane can I design for you?" All of a sudden I believed in Santa Claus again.
     Nearly a dozen three-view drawings were passed around between the staff and the AMA Plans Department. We finally narrowed our choices down to four and then suggested that Laddie pick. Having choices is always favored. My favorite bagel is the one with everything.
     His Der Jager is special in a number of ways. The design of the model, to me, is a reflection of everything that was ever charming about biplanes. It has scalloped trailing edges, curved tail surfaces, struts and wires galore, and, of course, the open cockpit. The model was debuted at the 2008 NEAT Fair and even showed up on the SKS Video Productions DVD. Pretty cool!
     New name, same great taste, the AMA occupied the convention center once again in Ontario, California, this past January. The event is now known as the "AMA Expo," and it welcomed modelers and hobbyists in District X and abroad for delights of person, product, and showmanship.
     MA Assistant Editor Jay Smith brought us back some stories, including all of the ones about the promotional efforts the Academy is making to welcome new people into this great activity that you and I share. Looks like you had fun, Jay, and I'm glad.
     Remember the August 2008 issue, in which we dedicated the entire feature space to jets? This month we're proud to bring you more jet success as reported by Chris True, who thinks his Bob Violett Models Electra Jet is fantastic. Although the Electra is specially engineered, the lines and size aren't all that much different from other BVM sport models.
     Perhaps if you've got an old glow-powered ducted-fan aircraft leaning in the closet, today's electric-ducted-fan power systems would breathe new life into it. Have a look!
     Incidentally, our RC jet columnist, Jim Hiller, also had a chance to play with an Electra Jet, owned by a friend of his. Even on the minimal setup, Jim seemed impressed with the performance.
     Will electrics take over the popularity of the turbine? Doubtfully. However, the prospect does make the jet experience more convenient and accessible. That's right—no waiver needed.
     Hey, the 2009 Midwest Slope Challenge is coming! Dave Garwood gave us excellent coverage of the annual event that happened in 2008. I'm sure that the only thing that has changed is that the grass might be longer. Other than that, let his story tell the tale of what you Slope Dawgs ought to be doing this spring. His imagery is breathtaking, and the impression I got from the experience was that fathers and sons get a bang out of the activity as well.
     What club wouldn't want a little more green? Isn't that what we're supposed to be more of these days: green? Well, the green I'm talking about is what a club gets after a successful event. Michael Brown has some great ideas for making that happen. The smiles that result are worth more than gold. MA