Future of CL Flying

The future of control line flying is dependant upon days like today. I wish to share with you one of the most exciting days in control line flying that I have experienced in quit some time. Metrolina Control Line Society in connection with a citywide event sponsored a Fun Fly-in in Rock Hill, S.C. Thanks to the efforts largely to Watt Moore with assistance by the Flying Courtneys, John Bergsmith, Kent Tyson, and others, at last count, forty four (44) young people had successfully completed their first control line flight and received a certificate honoring their achievement.If our sport is to achieve the popularity that we experienced in years past, it is dependant on us to encourage young people to participate in the sport and give them encouragement in any way we can. I wish everyone who reads this could have been there today to experience the smiles and sense of accomplishment by each of these young people. Control line flying is a dying sport only if we let it.

Sonny

Sorry I could not attend. Celebrated daughter-inlaws birthday today.
Watt has been doing this for a number of years and has attracted many young people to our sport. With his guidence and teaching a number of his students have done very well in national conpetition. Kevin Stewart was senior Nats champion and Alex Courtney is developing into a very good stunt, racing and combat flyer.

I am from Lynchburg Va. Two local cities and the club I am in are working close together to promote the hobby of flying. One member flies RC and I control line. He holds classes teaching how planes fly, build, and learning to fly and finally solo. After they solo, they keep the plane, and are always welcome to fly at the club field which the land is provided by the city or county for this purpose. The classes start with many kids, but quickly dwindle to a few even then never to return to the field.
Relating this to the future of control line flying? This other member and I often have spectators stop by and ask many questions. The delimma I have is very rarely do these kids or parents lean toward control line over RC, and also never to return to spectate or enter the hobby. This is tough to get through to kids these days. I wish it were easier.

First, kudos to Watt, the Courtney High Flyers and others! Sounds like a fun event I shall have to attend in the future.

Second, while all the work invested in the youngsters seems to be for naught, if you look at it as planting a seed, not all seems lost. Indeed most of us here gave up this hobby at one time or another, only to come back. I've spent a fair amount of time, effort and money myself helping local kids fly. If only one of them returns to this hobby someday to replace me, I've done my part. If two of them do, I've helped the hobby grow.

Also, a great deal of time, effort and money has been invested by others in me, exposing me in positive way towards their passion, which didn't take hold of me like model airplanes. While I may not have returned to those endeavors, their efforts weren't totally lost, I have a better understanding of what they do and why.

Unfortunately, all efforts by golfers to help me understand their ways, failed...

I couldn't agree with Sonny more! It was a great event and watching the kids enjoy the hobby was great. The youngest one was a 3 and half year old girl, she was cute and really excited. I can't even remember when I flew a half A last, but I flew a ton of them yesterday and I really enjoyed helping the kids. Just was a super fun day!

Response to "Inverted"

You are absolutely correct in that it is really hard to get kids to come back after an introduction to the sport. With all the distractions that kids have today and all the entertainment at their disposal, we in control line have a hugh task in growing and nurturing our sport. But, with efforts like the Fun Fly-in and efforts like yours in the Lynchburg area, sometimes seeds are planted.
Keep up the good work in your area.

I don't think our best efforts will result in thousands of young people entering the hobby. Should this discourage us? I think not. To my mind success is bringing enough kids and adults into CL that the discipline does not die with us. Obviously we are going to have to reach out to a large number of kids to be successful with this small number. If we want CL to persist, reality is that we have to work with however many thousand kids it takes to recruit that relatively small number. Another factor is that kids often (I was going to say usually, but maybe that's not the case today.) have parents. Some of these parents are potential recruits.

It seems to me that there are three groups of kids who are most likely to yield success. Children who are being home schooled have parents committed to a large amount of effort. They are not involved in school activities, and their parents may well be inclined toward their children being involved in our activities. Secondly, the kids in trouble in school, in county care, etc. These are kids who have difficulties which might incline them toward our activities, and those in charge might welcome our efforts. A third group are Girl Scouts. There is some interest in getting these girls involved in good activities that are outside the usual female things.

In any case, the more people who know about CL and have had a positive experience with it, the better for us.

Do you have Air Cadets in the USA, I am working with our local air cadet sqad here in Southampton England, we are working on an all sheet RC glider but a profile trainer and then maybe some simple combat to bring out their competitive side.
The advantage with the air cadets is that they keep coming back (twice a week) although we only do the modelling three times a month, I am hoping that if they enjoy their modelling activities they will tell their freinds and may be get some new modellers to replace the old folk's!, they are also very disiplined and resonably bright, they are between 14 and 15 years old and most have had a couple of hours full size flying under their belts already.

Barrie, Thanks for your response and your efforts on behalf of promoting model aviation. I am not familiar with Air Cadets, however I am personally working with a group of youths at a local high school and trying and in hopes of getting the opportunity to promote model aviation with the Cival Air Patrol high school group. Thanks again for your efforts.

Gosh dangit! I had no idea that this event was to occur

How can I best learn about events in my area? I seem to miss everything but PAMPA events

Tom K

Where do yu live?

55 years ago I was mystified by the concept of C/L flying, a Giant Step beyond my expertise, which amounted to the completion and maiden flight of a Monogram Speedi-Bilt P40 Warhawk. The older boys were flying these profile-fused "Gas-Motor Jobs", and it seemed like something 'out of reach', but with some encouragement from these local fellows, I was tutored and soon building and flying. R/C was still in its early development, and expensive, but seemed like the 'ultimate'.
Today, with the availabity (not to mention the advertizing) of R/C, young folks are prone to go in that direction, viewing C/L as moot.
Electronics, whether digital-proportional or Video Dextrous have had a 'cut-to-the-chase' effect on the fertile minds otherwise prospective for Controline Modeling.
The 'Mystique' has been displaced with modern technology.