April 2012 The Inside Loop

Editor Jay Smith [email protected] I’m sure many of us can relate to losing a club member, a flying buddy, and a friend. I have lost a few over the years—one only a few days ago. When I received that phone call, it was like a punch in the gut; especially when that person hadn’t even made it out of his thirties and has a family.
Although I mourn the loss of a friend, I am also reminded to be thankful for each day on this earth and to consider getting my modeling affairs in order. By that I mean letting a family member know what my wishes are regarding my models and equipment. Another option would be to put it in a will.
The first time I lost a close flying friend, his family decided to gift his models and equipment to those who were closest to him. This meaningful gesture provided each friend with something to remember him by and ensured his models would continue to fly. I had the honor of helping the family and delivering the models and equipment to those who would appreciate them the most. It was clear that he wanted us to have his aircraft, but he hadn’t determined which models should go to whom. That’s where I came in and tried my best to do what he would have wanted.
In another situation, the widow requested the help of the club to determine the value of her late husband’s models and then had a weekend sale at the club where nearly everything was sold. It is also not uncommon for someone who may have a lot of models to have an estate sale. This can be done right at the home and keeps from having to transport and possibly damage the models. The National Model Aviation Museum receives inquires about the donation of a loved one’s models. Although this is certainly an option, keep in mind that any aircraft and equipment donations have to go through an acquisitions process because space is limited. Information about the process can be found on the museum’s website at www.modelaircraft.org/museum/donations.aspx. Whatever you decide, the important thing is proper planning. Make your wishes known and provide a list to the person who will handle your affairs. If you plan to gift your models and equipment, note who should receive what. If you want to sell your models and equipment, provide approximate values—at least for the more expensive items. If the contents of your hangar change frequently, it would also be a good idea to update your list every year or two. Ultimately, no matter what you decide, letting your loved ones know your wishes regarding your models removes the burden from them during a difficult time.MA Back To This Month's Issue of Model Aviation