Radio Control: Jets
JET PILOT'S ORGANIZATION (JPO): Jet modeling has grown as a sport and hobby interest ever since the mid-1970s. It now has a recognized national organization to support it: in October 1993, AMA formally approved JPO as the Special Interest Group (SIG) for jets. JPO was founded for the purpose of promoting and advancing ducted-fan and turbine-powered technology, and for the sport, recreation, and fellowship of all interested individuals.
Radio Control: Jets
THIS COLUMN'S DISCUSSION is directed towards the beginner in ducted-fan jets or those considering trying them: Go for it. I promise, you will never regret it; I speak from experience, having made the transition during the last two years. First, I'll review motivations. Our modeling hobby/sport is about achievement, self-esteem, infatuation with flight, artistic expression of the model's appearance and the grace of flying, and finally, the camaraderie. A shopping mall administrator said it well following a mall show when he declared that our modeling group was the most cooperative, trustworthy, and professional group his mall had ever hosted. Generally, these qualities pervade our hobby. Our involvement rewards us with a great feeling of satisfaction.
Radio Control: Jets
GROUND SUPPORT: Don't you forget it! The most important ground support for your flying hobby (jets or otherwise) is the consent and support of your spouse. You may have noticed model flying is a predominantly male avocation. Her understanding and approval of the time, financial commitment, and intense focus required to fly jets borders on veto power. If you have your wife's approval, consider yourself blessed. If she participates openly, you are doubly blessed. I thought I lost my wife's support just as I was making the transition to jets. Our club had invited Terry Nitsch to put on a jet-flying demonstration, and (under pressure) Sandy agreed to attend and witness firsthand this jet thing about which I talked endlessly.
Radio Control: Jets
MIXING JETS WITH OTHER AIRCRAFT: It always amazes me to watch model aircraft with drastically different flight characteristics mixing on the same flight line. Most of the time it works out without incident. One of the less-compatible combinations is helicopters and fixed-wind aircraft. Model helicopters do astounding maneuvers, many of which make the helicopters seem to be stationary-right in the main straightaway. Most fixed-wing pilots do seem to compensate without complaint, and helicopter pilots seem to have incredible instincts for last-minute avoidance. Different kinds of fixed-wing aircraft also show variance in flight characteristics and resulting use of airspace. Pattern models fly in their "box" and the pilot is devastated if he has to interrupt his routine for flight avoidance (and rightfully so).
Radio Control: Jets
CABIN FEVER: It's that time of year again. It's cold and damp, especially on weekends. Winter is a difficult time to fly, and certainly to maintain any continuity. Does this sound familiar? These winter months are always frustrating. The value of the hobby as a fun-filled interest, the rewards of self-achievement, and the opportunity to share the camaraderie with others comes into vivid focus when it is withheld. This problem is probably shared with all aircraft modelers in the northern regions of the country. It is certainly most intense for jet modelers. We are always on the lookout for "dumb thumbs" with the cost, time commitment, and emotional attachment we all allow ourselves with our jet models. Frozen fingers are a more tangible and intolerable circumstance.
