I AM THE AMA
JERRY PARKS
Park Pilot columnist
By Jay Smith | jays@modelaircraft.org
JAY SMITH: How did you become involved with model aviation?
JERRY PARKS: My first foray into model aviation was a Cox .020 Control Line Stuka. Unfortunately, it had a very short life after I flew it directly into a tree during its inaugural flight. The Stuka’s quick death was disappointing, but I am not a quitter.
Several years later, when our son started school and my golf game plateaued, I happened upon a YouTube video for the Hobby Zone Champ UMX in my newfound free time. I watched countless YouTube build videos and started spending the early morning hours at a soccer field (without trees) refining my RC aviation skills.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
JP: Planning, building, flying, driving, sailing, and racing RC models brings me joy. The mental focus this hobby requires is a great way to quiet the stress of the day-to-day grind.
Competition flying and sailing forced my RC skills to a level I could not have imagined years ago. More importantly, RC hobbies are a great way to make new friends as an adult. Some of my best friends are the people that I met on the flying field, at the lake, and at RC community events.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
JP: Right now, most of my hobby time is dedicated to RC sailboats and RC rock crawler trucks. I am also currently building a go-fast-on-a-budget 1/10-scale car.
My many RC models include:
- Electric-powered flying wing Combat
- Discus Launch Glider contests
- Hi-start Two-Meter Glider contests
- Park Flyer-size electric RC
- RC sailboats
JS: What other hobbies do you have?
JP: Most of my time is devoted to my family. I love sharing the RC hobby with my kids. My youngest is a natural with the RC rock climbers and sailboats. It is so much fun watching her enjoy the hobby.
JS: Who or what has influenced you the most?
JP: Brian Malin Sr., of BMJR Models, has become my RC hobby mentor and friend. A few years ago, I was building a kit I purchased through his website and had some questions. On a whim, I reached out and he actually answered the call. He was generous with his time and his knowledge as we talked about the build. A few days later, he called me and reported he was updating the wing plans we discussed and would be shipping me the new parts to build for comment.
That build-for-comment endeavor has grown into a long-distance friendship and working relationship with Brian. I have done numerous prototype builds for BMJR before they are kitted.
Some of my proudest RC hobby moments have been helping with a Fokker D.VIII, L-19 Bird Dog, and a codesigned project of a two-meter glider named the Vegas Raven. Currently, I am doing an RC park flyer conversion of a series of Dave Platt 36-inch Free Flight airplanes.
JS: In your Park Pilot column that will appear in Model Aviation, you plan to write about cars and boats. What is it about them that interests you?
JP: Simply put, it is all RC! It is easy as a hobbyist to stay within a discipline that really seems to fit your talents, competitiveness, or just brings stress-free joy; however, my unsolicited advice to all RC hobbyists is to step outside of your comfort zone and try out a different RC category. My goal for the column is to encourage other enthusiasts to land the airplane every once in a while and try their hand at something new.
