Young Generation

Hi all,

This will probably not be a review but more of a concerned speech, I am going to write this review on behalf of the younger generation and you will all hopefully see our growing concern for the future of this hobby after reading this.

I should really start by explaining for those who do not know me who I am, I am 15 and I have been in the hobby for about 2 years now and something that I have only just recently noticed is the amount of younger Modellers there are around. What jumps out at me straight away is that there are so few! The club I currently fly at has a membership base of about 50 members, in which I am the only member under 18. In fact probably the only member under 25. I ask myself frequently why this is the case and I can only come to the conclusion that possibly the hobby is no longer being promoted to the youngsters. This leads me nicely onto asking, why?

I should say that I am not the only modeller under 18 that I know, in fact I know half a dozen that are spread out across the country but something that I notice is that every single one of them has a father or grandfather that has been in or is still within the hobby. I find the hobby difficult and at points frustrating even though I belong to a very supportive club, family and forum. I see myself as a patient person, which of course you need to be for this hobby. For those that are my age that don't have someone telling them to keep going or to pat you on the shoulder now and again, you could quickly end up losing interest and would soon see yourself moving onto a different hobby.

Another concern that I have is that I have not seen any 'young generation' promotion articles, threads etc. I have searched the net for as many forums regarding modelling and I have to say unfortunately that not one of them had any sort of young generation section or guidance section for the under 18's. The prospect of buying the equipment, signing yourself up to a club and forum could come across as a little daunting. When I first started I found myself trying to avoid the route of membership costs but soon realised after spending £200 on a spitfire to later crash it that I had no choice but to sign on the dotted lines. Which, of course now, I have no regrets. I have loved every minute of my time flying and on the ground in the modelling society and would recommend to anyone reading this article that is not yet involved in a club to start looking around, there are plenty of helpful clubs out there. I think a forum group or individual member should maybe look into starting a scheme for the youngsters, I think the time and effort put in now would eventually pay off greatly.

My next point is costs; I was astonished at the costs of getting started in the industry. This of course, cannot be helped. I have seen in magazines and other articles the quote "the hobby can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be" Yes this is definitely true although being a teenager we all want that new mobile phone or that new PlayStation. It is of course a factor we youngsters will have to learn to get over because we cannot afford the big planes which most of us desire. Does it have to be this expensive? Is there ways that modelling stores could encourage competition within the younger community and get them involved in flying those larger planes? Not just have the adults flying the big plane and the youngster sitting there watching with his paper plane. I am fortunate that I am able to buy the 60 size aircraft but I dream of flying at the competitions but it seems almost impossible without a large investment. It seems a little like farming to me, it’s a father to son business or am I just being pessimistic?

Also I have realised that I am always urged to not talk about the hobby much as it is seen to some people as being 'uncool', which I think is ridiculous! If this is the case then something should certainly be done about it. I notice myself avoiding the workshop when I have friends around the house and I never really speak of it while at school. I think this is wrong, we should be able to openly speak and be proud of what we enjoy. Maybe visiting local school fetes with some models or displaying at county events such as the East of England show. All these may help to solve the growing issue that seems to becoming more apparent now.

Finally I am going to wrap my ‘review’ up by saying a few closing sentences. This was not meant as a rant, even if it did seem to come across that way at times. I tried to write it using others and my own experience in being in the hobby at this age. I could drone on for years about the good experiences I have had but that would not make for good reading and you would probably think I am a little arrogant by the end of it! I will leave you with this closing question. Is there anything we can do as a modelling community to promote the hobby before it is too late? If so, where do we look to begin?

Thanks

Tom T (15)

For a 15 yr old person, you never cease to amaze me with your perception of the world Tom. A very well written article , provoking many ways of thinking. I will not try and answer your questions without having a good think myself. Congrats

Garry

aha, thanks Garry, I think it may have been a little 'ranty'

Congrarulations Tom,but your wrong totally.When we fly our models we are all 15 year olds,we just look in our 60ties,thats all.The club Im on has very few youngsters,like you and I Tom,2 under 5's.and an 11 tear old who has just passed his A,and a 16 year old who visits when he is staying with his dad.We have over 120 members,

Tom T wrote:
My next point is costs; I was astonished at the costs of getting started in the industry.
Tom T (15)

Think yourself lucky that this is not 1970 when the cost of a four function proportional set was about three or four months wages.

I unerstand the part of the reason that wings had 1 servo for 2 ailerons originally was that the cost of 1 sevoo was more than a months wages.Modellers seemed to survive because the LMS ran a book so you bought on account. and paid weekly.I found a 3p piece in a car the other day.

Old Fart wrote:

Tom T wrote:
My next point is costs; I was astonished at the costs of getting started in the industry.
Tom T (15)

Think yourself lucky that this is not 1970 when the cost of a four function proportional set was about three or four months wages.

Really? thats alot of money then!

The Beard wrote: I unerstand the part of the reason that wings had 1 servo for 2 ailerons originally was that the cost of 1 sevoo was more than a months wages.Modellers seemed to survive because the LMS ran a book so you bought on account. and paid weekly.I found a 3p piece in a car the other day.

wow... thats alot of money, this has sort of put that into concept then!

Very perceptive and very well written Tom. It's good to see a young man who can use the English language and think past how to chat up the local dolly bird - dolly bird is old fart speak for an attractive young woman - We have the same problem down here with our younger generation - we have a 16 year old in my club who finds that he is considered by his peers as some sort of "weirdo" because he "plays" with "toy" planes.

The problem of how to attract the younger generation to the hobby - and to support those who do give it a try - is something that plagues the committees of every club that has some thought for the future. I think that one of the problems is the lack of "instant" gratification. To fly you have to have your model - get off your backside and go to the local club field - or park - then get the thing in the air - and - the hard part - back down on the ground again in one piece. This does not compare well with turning on a power point - without even getting out of bed - and saving the world on the latest computer game. Unless of course you actually give going to the park a try. Congratulations on a well constructed, rational, review.

Thanks Grumpy! I know exactly how your 16 year old at your club feels. Its not too pleasant having to hide it all the time. I can mention it at cadets because we are all plane lovers but outside of cadets seems to be a big, no no. Thats what really annoys me aswell, why do people call them toys? I would not give one of these models that has a powerful IC engine or electric to an 8 year old for Christmas. Some of those jets can't be even classed as models, i would consider them as bits of machinery!

I agree about your second paragraph, seems to me that our generation is just so lazy. They'd rather sit on the corner of the street getting up to no good than too do something constructive with their lives. hmm confuses me!

Tom, i think your parents have done a first class job of bringing you up, you are a credit to them and to your generation, ill even go as far as to say that for your generation you are truly outstanding,
Well done young man and if there is ever anything i can do to help you let me know
Wish id done as good a job on my two

Thank you very much Blackbird! I showed my parents aha
I'm sure you did a great job in bringing up your children, don't knock yourself!

As ever Tom, a clearly written, concise, logical observation showing your maturity and astute perception. I am not as young as you ( being 21 ) and have yet to visit a club but I do sometimes feel on other forums that there is a definite age barrier and expectation to act in a way that is more befitting someone in their, lets say, elder years, than younger and that can be off putting and that they dont have the patience for the younger ones. I haven't been to a show yet either to see what it feels like so cant comment there either but I do think that the cost is a major barrier as you point out. Especially in this day and age where people are counting their pennies. Every hobby must cost some initial outlay but does seem one that, as grumps says, has a delayed gratification that the youth today dont seem to have the patience for.

Maybe you could organise an event at your local flying club and target schools in your area?

Thanks Sarah!
As the chairman of the model club I fly at ( I must add, the club is Fenland Model Flying Club, I couldn't of wanted for a better club. They are all so helpful and I am so grateful for everything they have done for me)!
He said that the hobby is a dying cause if something is not done fast... we need people my age and even younger to step forward aswell now, to be taught by the people who know how before they leave the hobby.

Ask yourself this Tom, " Why did we hand complete control of "modelchat facebook" over to you?
Did we hand over partial control or did we give you a completely free hand & tell you to go to town?
This is how much this forum trusts you .... you are the youth of the hobby & our best bet for selling it to the kids of today.
I know it didn't happen this year that you could do your interview with Ali at the Nat's .... that was just because of unforeseen circumstances.
You have a word with Ali & I'll bet he'll agree that all model shops need the youth of today, or they'll soon be out of business.
You are a well spoken young man & I'm proud to let you be a representative of modelchat.

Pol.