ROBERT CUNNINGHAM
Retired airline pilot
By Jay Smith | jays@modelaircraft.org
JAY SMITH: How did you become involved with model aviation?
ROBERT CUNNINGHAM: I have always had a fascination with airplanes. While in the sixth grade, I went to a friend’s house after school. His name is Jim Jajuga. His dad had some models in the basement. Jim and I started building and flying models with every spare moment and penny that we could afford.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
RC: As a young teen, I hung out in the back room of Wayne Hobby in Wayne, Michigan. Wayne Hobby was owned by Joe Hass. Joe had a Piper Archer at Detroit Willow Run airport. A local flight instructor was using Joe’s Archer to provide flight instruction.
I mentioned to Joe that I wanted to fly for a living, but I had never been in a real airplane. Joe sent me out to Willow Run to ride along and watch. That started it all. I became a professional pilot. My first big airplane was a DC-3S. I finished my career as a B-747-400 captain.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
RC: Mostly RC electric-powered airplanes, although I am interested in all fixed-wing model airplanes, especially Control Line Combat. I fly RC every month, 12 months of the year. Seventeen years and counting now!
JS: What other hobbies do you have?
RC: I own and fly two full-scale airplanes: a Cessna Hawk XP and an Aeronca Champ. I am also an amateur radio operator. I spend some of the summer months boating.
JS: Who or what has influenced you the most?
RC: Joe started it all. He influenced a troubled young teen and started me down the right path. I want to point out that the Joe I am talking about is the father of the Joe Hass who is currently active with AMA these days.
JS: What advice do you have for someone who wants to become involved with full-scale aviation?
RC: Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off of the goal. I was penniless. I had no support. I earned my aircraft mechanic’s license and spent all of my time at the airport learning all that I could. I did everything I could to earn flying time. Above all, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything that you want to do!
