Aeromodelling: Is the same thing happening everywhere?

Another impediment to flying is government excessive regulation of activities, under the guise of some drone flyers who lack discipline.

I learned a while ago, that if you nip the problem in the bud, then the rest fall in line.


We live in a society now that is into agendas versus respect for the common good of all, and the fallacy that adding more laws makes us a better society. The good for the common man is sacrificed for the ultra wealthy. It is about instant gratification and the dinero.

Pero quizás en otros países los reglas son diferentes.
But perhaps in other countries the rules are different.

And it is not getting cheaper to acquire the equipment and more government intervention (FAA).

Just received my "Sky Remote ID Modules" from Horizon Hobbies.

Now I'm legal when I fly this year to where the FAA can track me now.

Science Olympiad is probably the only hope.

Kids want to play on computer, phone, tablet.
they don't go outside unless heavily supervised, so they learn to not go outside

my kid doesnt game, he programs and he does robotics.
As much as I wish he would come fly airplanes, ride dirtbikes, bicycles, target shooting? he prefers inside, clickety clack of the keyboard.

Science Olympiad and STEM in schools is the only hope.

Hi Mauricio …. That is a great question, I’ve thought about it often….I think good answers have been given… Competition with electronics technology and increasing government regulation…. One more I add is maybe our experience is part of a generational and maybe even a social thing…. The average age of our CEF members and probably most club’s members is decidedly mature…. When we were growing up there were flying models of every kind not only in local hobby shops but in department stores and even five and dime stores…Given and received as gifts…. To be compared with your friend’s….Talked about at school…. In other words, They were simply popular at that time….Some took it a little more seriously and stayed with it for a life time…

Yes, the strength of its popularity is dwindling because that generation is getting older among other things as well…...It’s just not as mainstream popular as it was when we were kids… But I think there will always be a core group including new people trickling in that is infatuated with flying their handmade creations….

Mauricio my friend! Happy New Year!!

There are many reasons why fixed-wing Aero-Modeling is in decline. Of the younger generation that has any interest in aeromodelling.. (and that's a small percentage...) it seems to be the helis and quad-copters that fascinate them.

Balsawood airplane "kits" are getting harder to find and ARF's don't teach building or finishing skills.

"Mentoring" young people with the rich history of our hobby would help.. but how could we do that in a way that would catch and HOLD their interest?

All points made in previous posts are quite accurate -- modeling as a hobby is ageing out.  Two of my close friends, who were builders, have passed.  Now, I'm the last member in my club who scratch builds from plans; an occasional kit plane shows up at the field, but the vast majority are ARFs, usually electric or larger gas engines.  I'm not complaining, mind you, since these ARFs have been instrumental in keeping folks active in the hobby.

But, with more and more restrictions and regulations being imposed by the FAA, I'm beginning to see flyers, particularly among the older generation, begin to adopt a "Why bother anymore." attitude.  Noise restrictions, flying time and location restrictions, size restrictions, radio restrictions are eroding the fun of just flying.

I wish I had a crystal ball or could wave a magic wand, but I'm convinced that modeling as many of us have known it will vanish in the future.

andrew

Hi Mauricio, and All,
Sure,  the past is not the same as before...
But,
The future is here.
Electric 250g and flying safely under 400ft is working for me.
I'm meeting local neighbours and they like it. (even Cops want to try flying !)
It is like letting glue dry. Wait for it.
Then, Cox engines will be 'Cool' again.
On my bucket list is:
Flying safely a 5 min halftime show at a local baseball/football game/event.
Wish me Luck.  
It will only get better from there, when I can run a Cox engine,   I hope !
Take care,
Have fun,
Dave

While most of the major manufacturers in the control line kit business are long gone, there's a long list of what is out there. While new engines aren't as readily available, good used examples are out there. Thirty years ago, it was harder to find this stuff not too mention the readiness of finding parts and accessories. No hobby shops are left in these parts. The hobby business even 20 years ago didn't have much in offerings as far as kits and balsa supplies were concerned.

Hobby shops were typically geared for r/c and what they stocked never fulfilled the needs of those in the area that flew it. Business is business, the shops would always have a huge spectacular looking jet hanging from the ceiling with a outrageous price tag. There was never any room in these parts to fly that type of model not too mention deep enough pockets to afford it. It was eye candy to attract one into the store. Somehow there's a fixation with bigger is better.

What I'm suggesting is that I fully agree that the hobby is going away. Just about everyone has a phone or a home pc which enables a Google search which yields most information needed at the touch of your finger. However, while pushing buttons and keypads is easy, assembling balsa sticks and covering is like black magic voodoo to others. People I know have bought the stuff, they ask questions and say they don't want to mess it up. The best advice I can offer to anyone is learn to read, do it yourself and mess it up completely, smash the plane and then repair the plane. Don't cry about a smashed plane, picked up the pieces and repair it or build another. When home, diagnose the reasoning as to what happened and learn to prevent it.

This is the problem with a hobby such as this, it's expensive to a point and a lot of people can't accept failure or positive criticism. As much as most love the Cox and plastic model offerings, it's very difficult to have received such a gift and have it relinquished to crap in less than a lap. This in my opinion caused a lot of grief and frustration. I myself was included in these unwanted gravity surges early on in my learning. My dad however, was just the most amazing individual who could put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Parental time has decreased immensely and in my opinion, this is very critical to the hobby as well.

Hi Ken,
I'll quote you on, "gravity surges", Love it !
Perfect name for a model airplane.
I am going back to throwing chuck gliders, and giving them to kids.
Eventually, Cox Engines will rule.
Again.
Take care,
Have fun,
Dave