Education Through Aviation
by Bill Pritchett, Education Director
billp@modelaircraft.org
“I’m often asked by parents what advice I can give them to help get kids interested in science. And I have only one bit of advice. Get out of their way. Kids are born curious. Period.” —Neil deGrasse Tyson
When the AMA was founded in 1936, the name was chosen by the organization to acknowledge that learning about model building and flying was an important part of a young person’s education. During the so-called Golden Age of Aviation, when the nation’s youth closely followed the achievements of Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, building small-scale aircraft for competition in local, regional, and national flying events was viewed as a logical part of preparation for higher education in a variety of careers.
Academy in the organization’s name is no less relevant today. A major focus of the sport and hobby of aeromodeling is lifelong learning, whether a member is young or simply young at heart.
Model aviation has changed much in the last half century. The revolution in micro technology makes it possible for newcomers to the sport and hobby of model aviation to fly battery-powered, electric-powered RC, Free Flight, and Control Line models literally in their own backyards.
The recent, dramatic increase in public access provides an opportunity for young people to actively engage in aviation without waiting to reach minimum age requirements imposed by the FAA or incurring the expense involved in full-scale aviation. They can immediately do so at home, in their classrooms, in schoolyards, and local parks.
With the help of nearly 195,000 AMA members in 2,500 chartered clubs, newcomers have the opportunity to become members in communities of learners to acquire new skills in electronics, mechanical engineering, and aerodynamics, extending their reach to new horizons of achievement.
My wife, Lisa, and I are often treated to the company of our grandchildren. We have four who live nearby, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 4 years. Izabella, probably our most frequent visitor, is special. Her level of activity has caused me to sometimes call her “Bizzy.”
The last time she was over, her love for books and insisting that Lisa read to her came up immediately. As they sat on the couch going through book after book, I couldn’t help but become mesmerized by the pure fascination and curiosity that Izzy has. She is so intense in watching the words go by, checking out each picture, and always asking questions. And boy do I mean questions!
This might be the purest display of willing to learn. Young children who have that level of curiosity bring a unique enthusiasm and energy to learning. It’s fresh information to them and they so love the moments that lead to understanding. What happens as we age? Do we wake up one day and figure that because we now know it all there’s no remaining reason to be curious? To be fascinated? To be anxious to learn?
I’ve taken it upon myself to have a better understanding of electricity. I put together a little study guide for myself on the topic of ohm and what that is, how it works, and why it’s important to the batteries in the electric stuff we run. I’m truly curious. Electricity is fascinating to me. Am I as enthused as Izzy? No, that’s not possible. That would be nice though. Neil deGrasse Tyson is correct!
This came from an insightful member:
Why should we, traditional modelers, try to put newcomer pilots into molds of what we think they should know and do? Why do we feel the need to make them behave like us? Did someone do that to us when we started out in the hobby? Probably, but that doesn’t make it right.
Some of our newcomer pilots have more disposable income than disposable time. If flying model airplanes fits their lifestyle better than building model airplanes, what harm does this do?
I have seen many ARF-only pilots damage an airplane and simply buy another. I have also seen former ARF-only pilots damage an airplane for a second or third time and learn how to repair it. I have seen the latter lead to the pilot developing an interest in building an airplane kit or even (gasp!) building from plans!
What makes any of these scenarios better or worse than the others? If a law was passed that mandated that a person could either build or fly model airplanes, but not both, I would want to build, but that would be my desire, not necessarily the desire of anyone else. I would get more pleasure from someone else flying an airplane that I built than I would get from flying an airplane that someone else built. Again, that’s me …
Okay, I admit to being random this month … Sometimes we know when we order dinner that we plan to share with each other. Writing, and sometimes life (flying), can be a little bit like that. I know the filet is what I want, but don’t want to miss the chance to try a bite of the scallops Lisa just ordered.
How many of you have always wanted a very specific airplane? If you had that airplane, life would be just dandy, right? You get it, build/assemble it, fly it three or four times, and then store it.
The next time you go flying, it doesn’t come out of the trailer or even make the trip. You’re back on the horse you know and like best. I admit to being that way about a Cub. So many nice ones—an airplane everyone should have in the hangar. I’ve probably had six or seven. I’ve lost count, honestly. Each time it’s the same scenario—get it, fly it a few times, stare at it a while, sell it.
Gotta’ run—lots of practice flights to put up as the upcoming Pattern season is right on top of us. Plus, I want to take another look at a Citabria. It looks like a Cub, sort of? Fly and have fun!
