MARK SNOWDEN
Minister
By Jay Smith | jays@modelaircraft.org
JAY SMITH: How did you become involved with model aviation?
MARK SNOWDEN: When I discovered electric power systems for RC airplanes, I was hooked. I had dabbled in RC and learned to fly some 20 years ago, but I sold my fuel, trainer, and kit for what I put into it.
Seven years ago, I was able to teach myself all over again with a foamie. I had built several Guillows rubber band-powered models, even imploding a P-40 with a too-tight wind. A Champ S+ foam airplane, with a panic button that flew my model home, reignited my interest in the hobby.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
MS: My career as a minister to 100-plus churches in the Cincinnati area is open-ended. It’s been nice to come home and spend an hour at the workbench doing some aspect of a build. Although I’ve belonged to two different clubs, I prefer being a park flyer. I have access to a huge, treeless park that has a large, shallow pond.
At a friend’s recommendation, I joined the national Fellowship of Christian Modelers (www.fcmodelers.com) club and currently serve as one of its vice presidents.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
MS: Scale RC model airplane building and flying have merged my faith with the hobby. I have most enjoyed researching Christian pilots and then building their aircraft. I started with Nate Saint, a missionary pilot who was martyred in Ecuador. He flew a Piper PA-14 Family Cruiser.
My favorite was spending four months drawing plans for a Nakajima B5N2 Kate. It took another six months to scratch-build the 68-inch wingspan bomber. Matsuo Fujita, who led the attack on Pearl Harbor, was a Christian evangelist after the war.
At the past two Nats, I have enjoyed being a Control Line (CL) Scale judge.
JS: What other hobbies do you have?
MS: When Mary Leigh, my wife, contracted acute lymphocytic leukemia, I began to ride a bicycle to blow off the stress. The Lord healed her and I’ve kept riding for fitness. So far, I’ve ridden my road bike 30,000-plus miles. I also tried to build a 1/48-scale plastic model. The details add realism.
JS: Who or what has influenced you the most?
MS: As an ordained minister, I’m quick to say Jesus, of course. As for the hobby, I’ve had several influences at key points. My dad bought me a model airplane to put together when I was in the first grade. I had said I wanted to be a dentist like him, so he figured a plastic model would help me with hand-eye coordination.
Building dozens of plastic models actually led me to a Cox PT-19 CL trainer that I flew until the plastic could no longer be repaired.
Another influence has to be my wife. Each year, we set a hobby budget and I typically hold to the predetermined limits, which include building supplies, research books, and kits or balsa. She’s also turned into a decent videographer documenting flights for later study.
JS: What advice would you give someone looking to build their first airplane?
MS: Build a Free Flight rubber band model to get used to how balsa goes together. Guillows or the Peanut-size model kits are perfect. While you’re building balsa, fly a larger (4-foot wingspan at least) high-wing foamie trainer. You’ll want at least 60 flights under your belt. Repairs are relatively simple.
Build a balsa model from a kit. Do not try to set a time limit. My first plans-built model was a 1/5-scale Ford Flivver. It took a year of building for an hour here and there. Don’t rush it, and keep a build log so that you can look back and see your progress!
