Sharing the Hobby with Youngsters

Sharing the Hobby with Youngsters by Andy Argenio As seen in "AMA News: District I" in the February 2019 issue of Model Aviation

District I is fortunate to have adults and fathers who share the sport and passion of aeromodeling with youngsters who have become top competitive pilots and some have become world champions. The significance of these relationships is well known to not only strengthen bonds, but the youngsters often perform better academically, socially, and emotionally. It plays a critical role in helping one another become the best that they can be. The following report from Ola Nordell is about one of those wonderful father-and-son relationships. My name is Ola Nordell and I have known our district vice president, Andy Argenio, from when he first sponsored electric flying events a decade ago at the Wintonbury Flying Club in Bloomfield, Connecticut, where my son Leo and I are members. This year[2018], while at AMA Expo East, Andy directed us to the US Graupner distributor that ended up sponsoring Leo’s RC flying. My son and I share the passion of building and flying RC Pylon models, so we decided to join North East Pylon Racing Association friends traveling 800 miles from East Granby, Connecticut, to compete in the 2018 RC Pylon Nats in Muncie, Indiana. We prepared for racing in three classes. Leo would race in 424 Q-500 (Quickie 500) and Electric Formula One (EF1), and I would race in the faster 426 Q-500. As a father-and-son team, I spotted and called for Leo while he flew, and he did the same for me. Leo first competed in Q-500, trying to win some heats, but being too eager in his first Nats races, he cut many turns and scored low. The next morning, before the EF1 competitions, we were lucky to get help from Jim Allen, the designer of Leo’s Proud Bird Pylon model. Jim flew Leo’s airplane and trimmed it. Leo liked the new trim settings and it showed in his scores. In a flyoff for second through fourth places in EF1, Leo captured third and he earned his trophies for third and Best Junior in Standard Class EF1. The smile on Leo’s face took days to come off. We had a great week at the fabulous International Aeromodeling Center during the Nats and returning home with none of our air-planes crashed made it even more special. We recommend visiting the National Model Aviation Museum. It is outstanding. Congratulations Leo, and thank you, Ola, for the report. Nothing beats sharing the hobby with a youngster, especially a son or daughter.

The National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) participants and winners of the EF1 class at the 2018 Nats.

Nats newcomers, 11-year-old Leo Nordell (L) and his father, Ola, from District I competed in the NMPRA competition. Leo received trophies for third in Standard Class EF1 and won Best Junior.