JAY SMITH: How did you become involved with model aviation?
JOE NAVE: I was fascinated with airplanes at an early age and wanted to become an airplane pilot when I grew up. At age 10, I learned about remote-controlled toys when I was given a wooden RC boat to build. After several years of learning how to operate the boat, at age 16, I was ready for a new challenge and purchased my first RC sailplane, a Graupner Mosquito.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
JN: Personally, building and flying sailplanes is a form of relaxation for me. I enjoy the challenge of finding thermals, drifting with them, and working to remain aloft in the constantly changing air in the sky.
I have maintained the RCSoaring.com website for the past 30 years. The website has become a valuable tool to disseminate sailplane contest sign-up forms and results, and to share photos and videos.
Throughout the years, I have made many friends with RC pilots worldwide, both in person and online. Learning from and sharing knowledge with others has been a rewarding experience.
Professionally, I own GliderCG USA, which imports GliderCG scales and GliderThrow incidence meters, allowing me to blend my background in electronics with my RC flying hobby.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
JN: I enjoy flying and occasionally competing in Thermal Duration, Discus- Launch Gliders, and Altitude Limited Electric Sailplanes/ F5J flying. In the past few years, I have also become a tow pilot for our club’s aerotow operations.
I travel to the Central Valley Regional Center in Visalia, California, twice annually to compete in the Bent Wing Contest and Fall Soaring Festival. Additionally, I try to attend the yearly International Hand Launch Festival in Poway, California, for some added challenge and fun!
JS: What other hobbies do you have?
JN: Flying RC sailplanes is the only hobby I have. Because I live in Hawaii, the tropical climate and favorable tradewinds on most days allow me to enjoy the hobby to its fullest.
In addition to flying, I enjoy teaching and helping newcomers into the hobby. As a member of the Mid-Pacific Soaring Society and the Paradise Flyers, I have been involved with the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on historic Ford Island in Honolulu, as well as Horizon Hobby, to teach kids how to fly model airplanes.
Quarterly, as part of a STEM program, more than 2,700 kids have enjoyed learning about aviation and piloting RC aircraft. I find it rewarding to see the smiling faces of kids who are enjoying their first flights, and, as they improve, seeing students flying independently.
JS: Who or what has influenced you the most?
JN: Honestly, it would not be fair to give credit to any single person because I have learned so much from so many different people in the RC world.
When I started flying RC sailplanes, I joined a local club, the San Fernando Valley Silent Flyers, in Los Angeles. I observed and learned from many good club pilots how to properly launch, fly, thermal, and land a sailplane so that I could become as good as they were. Their wisdom was invaluable.
JS: What advice would you give someone interested in learning to fly their first aircraft?
JN: To learn the basics of RC aircraft flying, a simulator program is a good starting point. After learning the basics, finding a local club would be the next step. Clubs often have trainer RC airplanes/sailplanes available that can be flown with a buddy-box setup.
Subsequently, purchasing an electric-powered beginner airplane would help with learning all of the aspects of flying and would facilitate longer time aloft to gain more practice flying. Throughout the process, guidance by an RC pilot in a local club is important for learning to fly safely and with the highest probability of success.
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