46 ModelAirplaneNews.com
LET'S TALK RC
Tell us about yourself and how long you’ve been
involved with RC airplanes.
I’ve been in the hobby for over 50 years, which means
either I’m all in or stupid. I’m still trying to figure that
one out. It’s been a great hobby for me over the years,
and to see where it started to where it is now has
been an incredible journey.What is your view of the state of the RC airplane
hobby today?
The common cry from the modeling community is
that the hobby is dying. Personally, I don’t see it. The
hobby has gone through cycles over the years, with
the same sentiment being expressed each time. In
my opinion, what has happened is that things have
changed in how the hobby is viewed from the veterans
to the newbies. Modern technology has dictated how
things are viewed, purchased, etc., and social media
plays the biggest part in most of it. The days of the big
distributors being the primary source has changed,
and there are more independent companies taking a
bigger role in the market share. The niche areas are
where these companies are making their dent.What aspect of model airplanes do you think is
growing the fastest?
Over the years, technology has driven segments of the
hobby, with innovations and enhanced flying styles. For
instance, the advent of 3-axis gyros and flybarless heads
made the heli segment explode a few years back. There
hasn’t been a substantial improvement in that area for a
few years, and therefore, the interest has waned.
Jet interest has had a major increase in recent
times, with the ease of turbine operation and the ease
of getting into them with the ARF [almost-ready-to-fly]
market. I would say for the air side of things, this is
the biggest boom going on now. Quad racing is another
segment that has increased. However, the initial
thought, by many, that there would be a crossover to
get them into our hobby and help increase interest
just hasn't happened. There are two very different
mentalities in each, and I just don’t feel that they’ll
ever get together.What do you think is our biggest challenge in
growing the hobby?
The hobby has many tools at its disposal that really
haven’t been utilized properly. For example, how do
some RC clubs fund their organization and increase
membership? They hold open houses, airshows, and
“learn to fly”–type events, but most aren’t run properly
to get the most exposure. Properly run club events for
the public have gone on for a long time, and I know
there’s a certain percentage of spectators who take
an interest in the hobby and join and who get their
children involved.
It’s up to the club at that point to maintain their
interest and hold on to them. This is one area in which
all clubs struggle. They get their membership dollars
and then don’t want to be bothered with teaching [new
members] beyond takeoffs and landings.What’s more important: learning to build or learning
to fly?
Percentage-wise, we get into this to fly airplanes.
The building is secondary, unfortunately, with the ARF
market making it easier for the younger generations.
This isn’t news. I must say, though, that the “scale”
segment of the hobby has shown an increase at
events lately, due to the fact that the scale ARFs make
it easier to be involved. There will be an increase in
“fliers” transitioning to “builders” just by exposure and
wanting something that may not be available.What do you think are the biggest hurdles to getting
more people involved in RC?
It all has to start with the grass-root modelers
becoming more approachable and making a conscious
effort to draw people in. With anything in life, you see
somebody you know doing something cool, and you want
to try it as well. This is where it needs to start—again.Have you thought of any possible solutions?
Ads in magazines and online are directed toward the
established modeling community. There’s nothing
much going on outside the hobby to draw interest to
it, other than quad racing; as mentioned earlier, I don’t
see any increase in RC due to this. The bottom line
is we as modelers have to save our own lives, so to
speak. We need to take stock in the hobby and ensure
that it’s around for a very long time. It’s up to us.FRANK NOLL, DIRECTOR, JR PROPO
At their yearly RC Fest,
Horizon Hobby introduces RC
to the general public. Warbird
and jet demos inspire while
beginner flight sessions let
newbies fly trainers.
IT ALL HAS TO START WITH THE GRASS-ROOT MODELERS
BECOMING MORE APPROACHABLE AND MAKING A CONSCIOUS
EFFORT TO DRAW PEOPLE IN.