R/C Flight Hobby Champion

[WJCJR1]

After all the flying I asked the father and son if the son wanted to come see everything closer. The son was about a year or two old. Explained the plane and helicopter setup with the father and showed them how the controls worked on the plane. Talked to the father about his experience (a cheapo from Radio Shack, kids and friends couldn't wait for him to get home and tried to fly it, got stuck on the roof of the house, and it was left there until the next windstorm and never saw again. Once again, I told him about the flight simulators on the market and how it helped me and how it would be beneficial for him if he was still interested in the hobby.
Since I'm flying at the local community park I make a point to invite spectators over at the end of my flying to let them see everything up close and ask questions. The kids love it and think it's the coolest thing. I find parents are really appreciative of the openness and friendless of this gesture and interaction with the kids. And what better way to grow interest in the hobby!:thumbsup:
Happy Flying!

RCDUDE07 I find with great regularity you speak of introducing people to the world of R/C flight. I find this great. Keep it up!:clapping:

Next step, when you are ready, would be to take someone under your 'wing'. Find someone interested enough to come watch you fly at a predetermined time, show them how and why a plane flies. Have them follow through with purchasing a flight sim. Get a Buddy-Box hooked up and bring them into the world of LIVE flying.

I find many many people are interested but once I got all the equipment to Buddy em up they slowly disappear ::irked:: There are many more spectators than pilots but perseverance will prevail and eventually you will be able to share the beauty of flight with someone else.

Wayne

[rcdude07]

I firmly believe that we the pilots are the hobby's best PR personnel and ambassadors. It's up to us to show how friendly, fun, inviting this hobby is to the general public.

True story in hand:

I grew up flying with CCRC in High Point, NC. The annual spring Open House was an event geared to the spectators and kept them involved. This was great! This year, I made it out to the RD-RC (Youngsville/Zebulon, NC) spring annual Open House. This event was not geared to the spectators and due to the lack of spectator engagement felt like any Saturday at the field. I left not really wanting to consider joining this club. My dad and I also were into bass fishing, we are the nice, courteous boaters. However, we would get lumped into the rude, arrogant, speed demon stereotype that has come to bass fishers by those who are rude on the water. The same thing can happen in R/C if we're not careful.


I will gladly help anyone who's seriously interested in starting with the hobby. I used to be a trainer at CCRC during my high school days. But as I've witnessed when the person who's interested asks the price, their eyes pop out of their head and they walk away. But since I'm flying at the local park and not an actual club field, it's hard to be consistent and set up meeting times since I have to wait for soccer, t-ball, baseball, flag football, and families to get done playing.


I teach RAs (Royal Ambassadors) at church and I tell my boys "We are ambassadors for everything we do. We represent either good or bad for what we do." I encourage all fellow pilots to spread the good about our sport and help all who need help.

[WJCJR1]

My dad and I also were into bass fishing, we are the nice, courteous boaters. However, we would get lumped into the rude, arrogant, speed demon stereotype that has come to bass fishers by those who are rude on the water. The same thing can happen in R/C if we're not careful.

That is what does scare me about Park Flying any Aircraft over 2 lbs or capable of speeds over 60mph or Gas Fueled are banned per the AMA Park Flyer Regulations. I know plenty of flyers are outside these regulations. Also say something happens as my Fly-Away I had ~two weeks ago. If that were a in park something not so good could have happened. In all sincerity I do feel park flying can be totally safe however honestly I do firmly believe it's proper place is a dedicated Airfield with a good barrier to inflicting harm outside of the Airfield's boundaries. So when an accident happens at a park and it's only a matter of time our hobby does take a hit. Given time there will be some higher profile accidents and as this hobby becomes more approachable by decreasing entry costs and word of mouth free flight where ever you can fly will vanish.


But as I've witnessed when the person who's interested asks the price, their eyes pop out of their head and they walk away.



I always start with one of two things given the potential pilot's R/C experience;
$89.00 for a decent Flight Simulator w/moch transmitter.
$152.00 for an out the door RTF HobbyZone Super Cub with 2 batteries ready to go. An honest to goodness teach yourself to fly plane that actually looks like a plane. If $152.00 is out of reach for someone then this hobby is likely a priority or 10 away from where they need to be. I have not met a single person who was stunned into disgust at those prices, maybe under-breath they were but I saw no signs of it. Now to be 100% honest though hardly ANY of them have ever came back.
Wayne

[rcdude07]

Here's another story about being an R/C Aviation Champion.




Where I work is throwing a Tailgate Potluck Luncheon on the 23rd. HR asked some us for ways to get the different departments to interact with each other. You know, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Sales, Executives, etc... talking to one another. HR was wanting to some sort of scavenger hunt. My suggestion:

I'll bring my ParkZone Sukhoi and Blade CP, and do demos in the parking lot as long as my batteries last and the weather permits. HR liked this. Then I said, "I've got 2 R/C flight sims. If you can get me power and a table I'll set up 2 computers with the sims. Put one task on the scavenger hunt as 'Try to fly an R/C airplane or helicopter.' HR liked this even more.


So now I have an opportunity to introduce many more to our hobby! And maybe sell my second flight sim. (Just can't seem to get rid of RF G2)



Feel free to take this idea/suggestion and use it yourself.

[rcdude07]

Work had a costume party the day before Halloween. I dusted off my old R/C patch shirt, grabbed the E-Flite TX with my Blade CP, grabbed the CCRC club hat, put on my Zurich sunglasses and headed off to work. It made great conversation, especially with some of the patches I had. (Member of S.A.D Society of Aircraft Demolisher, etc...) It was fun and a great way to spread the word about our hobby.

Didn't win the costume contest, but everyone loved the Zurich's (mainly b/c of the blue mirrored finish).

[WJCJR1]

Nice job, bigger *!%#& than I.

Can you post a larger picture, the thumbnail comes up very small. We could use your glasses, hat, neck hanging TX and embroidered shirt as a shining example of appropriate day at the field wear.

Wayne

[rcdude07]

Nice job, bigger *!%#& than I.

Can you post a larger picture, the thumbnail comes up very small. We could use your glasses, hat, neck hanging TX and embroidered shirt as a shining example of appropriate day at the field wear.

Wayne

I tried to find a larger pic today at work, but I have no clue as to where HR hid the originals. I had to crop myself out of a group shot that went in the weekly corporate email on Friday. If I can get a hold of a larger size I'll post.

About the gear:

The hat: CCRC club wear (www.ccrcm.com)
The glasses: Zurich sunglasses The original (http://www.zurichsunglasses.com/Products/products3.htm)

I haven't lost a plane in the sun yet with these guys. I've had them for about 10 years. They fit over prescription glasses perfectly.
Neck Strap: JRPro gear I got at the LHS many many many many moons ago
Shirt: Columbia wear
Patches on shirt: Miscellaneous from AMA.
Pants: Standard blue jeans

And never forget your lucky underwear!

[rcdude07]

Finally got the originals from the Halloween costume contest at work. Attached is me in my "costume."

[WingingIt74]

Must be distant cousins :roflmao:
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1905&d=1258476782http://sites.mercurymarine.com/pls/portal/docs/102/6535.JPG

[rcdude07]

Must be distant cousins :roflmao:
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1905&d=1258476782http://sites.mercurymarine.com/pls/portal/docs/102/6535.JPG

Funny you should do that. When I was much younger (10-13 yrs old) I was big into bass fishing and Bill Dance was my hero. I remember how excited I was to get an autographed trading card as a response to writing him. It was even more special because the picture on the card was of Bill Dance when he was about my age holding a pair of bass.

But hobbies have changed, I much prefer Flying over fishing any day.
:)

[WJCJR1]

I am a bit saddened this entire year has rushed by and I have spent what would in years passed amounted to a couple weekend's worth of fishing in the boat. I used to Northern PIke fish very heavily and occasionally target Muskies for at least a few weekends each year.

I have this year been spending much more time in the air. I do enjoy the magical feeling I get each time 'I' take to flight much but sometimes wonder if I am sacrificing equally great opportunities of joy and family memories. So many hobbies so little time what is one to do.

I do feel that is another capital reason many people look at our hobby, show interest and then slowly fade away to not be seen again.

Just my thoughts since you mentioned fishing.
Wayne

PS Got a great boat too mountains of tackle all in the garage..