Getting the Word Out to the Public

[Tim Wescott]

My RC club, where I do most of my CL flying, has just survived an attempt by the Oregon parks department to kick us out.  They changed their minds -- at least provisionally -- thanks to our lobbying and testimony about how we do, indeed, fit the mission of the Oregon parks (our club VP showing up with his kid the engineering student, who's been flying since he was in diapers seems to have added a lot of help to carrying the day).

Now we're thinking of trying to make that notion stick a bit harder, and to thank the park, by doing some public outreach.  My two initial thoughts are that we should make ourselves available as a resource for Boy Scouts working on their Aviation merit badges (you have to build & fly a plane, or get your whole troop jollied into building foam chuck gliders), and have an annual public open house.

My questions are -- what's the best way to reach out to scouts and scout masters to let them know about the Boy Scout thing, and what's the best way to reach the general public about the open house?

Signs at the local hobby shops will certainly get interested people.  If the park likes the idea I'm sure that signs at the park will help.  Does anyone know how much response we can expect from notices in the local papers?  Does anyone know what's the social media equivalent of a "upcoming events" calendar that we can use?  Can anyone suggest other avenues of getting the word out?

Beyond asking my brother the former scout master for suggestions I have absolutely no clue how to get the word out there -- pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[John Cralley]

Tim, You can post information on the local Craig's List about events and maybe under other categories. I don't know how much good that will do but it cannot hurt. A few photos on you listing would not hurt and maybe a map of the route to your field.

[EddyR]

Tim  The hand launch glider built by them and a contest just amoung them will do more than making them build and fly a CL model. Thay can fly the glider almost anyplace and you can demo a CL model. Do you have a trainer.  CA glue makes building and flying HL gliders a good afternoon event. Make the wings from 3/16 and use paint or yard sticks for the body parts. Do you have someone who knows how to trim a HL glider?
 I learned on HL gliders and entered many contest in that event.
Ed

[Tim Wescott]

Tim  The hand launch glider built by them and a contest just amoung them will do more than making them build and fly a CL model. Thay can fly the glider almost anyplace and you can demo a CL model. Do you have a trainer.  CA glue makes building and flying HL gliders a good afternoon event. Make the wings from 3/16 and use paint or yard sticks for the body parts. Do you have someone who knows how to trim a HL glider?
 I learned on HL gliders and entered many contest in that event.

Hey Ed:

If you're talking about the Boy Scouts thing, the merit badge calls out one of two specific "build" requirements, which you can see here: http://www.usscouts.org/mb/mb025.asp

I had thought that if we put on an open house, having a table for building HLG is a good way to go.  I'm exceedingly wary of handing a bottle of CA to a minor child of a member of the public at an open event.  I'm even nervous about having an open bottle of same.  At least here on the lawsuit-happy west coast I don't think it's a good risk to take -- one inquisitive eight year old with her eyes glued shut and a hysterical mom with a lawyer could cause the club a huge amount of damage.

I was thinking more on the lines of getting a bunch of Guillows or similar slide-together gliders and doing a contest with them.  I'd love to get some that are left blank, and having a table full of felt pens.

(Putting on a class that people sign up for, and that parents sign a release form for -- that is something that I would entertain the idea of using CA.)

[Tim Wescott]

If your town still has a daily paper or a Sunday paper, check to see if it has a "happenings" section. Ours does and I had them post  contact info and club dates for a local model railroad club and the local CL club. It works, got several calls over the year. 

We have that, too, and it's certainly on my list.

[Marvin Denny]

   There used to be an "Aviation" merit badge that the scouts could earn.  I  was into scouting with my sone back then and was the one who certified that the scouts had indeed filled the requirements for the badge.  One of those requirements as to build and fly a model airplane.

  You might look into that aspect.

  bigiron

[Noel Corney]

Hi Tim , My club has a program where we tutor kids in school holidays supported by the local council.We limit classes to 15 per session and split them into groups of 3 ,In 1 group I have them assemble Delta darts, in 4 years and around  225 participants nobody has cut themselves on a boxcutter ,a few have glued fingers together but that's it, good preliminary discussion and good supervision are the keys, They get more out of this than the fullsize and radio Sims.Most fun comes from flying what they built and getting on a buddy box. Regards , Noel.

[Joe Just]

Tim, this may be old fashioned, but look in your phone book for Boy Scout info. Also, churches that have youth groups are always looking for youth group activities. A friend of mine in Canada also has contacted "Parents Without Partners"  and was welcomed with his presentation.
Don't overlook the Girl Scouts, or the Junior Marines.  If there is a Mall show set up a booth and use club members to build Delta Darts.  And finally frequently ask members of the Parks Dept. Also don't forget this is an election year, give local and regional candidates a call  to visit your flying site and put them on a buddy box.  Tim the list is endless.
Joe Just

[Dick Byron]

Marve,
        When you were a scout did they have sunshine then, and dirt too?

[dave siegler]

We have had a lot of good luck working with the local public library.  They offer summer camps this summer on transportation and we did some control line stuff for them. We got out trainers and did some instruction.  Also local parks have welcomed us in during events to do some instruction and teach kids to fly.  Without counting eaa airventure, we did 5 events this year and turned down few others.  It helps quite a bit to get in the local paper and save copies, make a scrap book.  Have an updated web site.  Lots of things to do.

[Marvin Denny]

Marve,
        When you were a scout did they have sunshine then, and dirt too?
[/quote

  Dirt had already been invented, but I did manage to get a sample of the first batch.  Ie now sits on the top shelf of my work area.  As for sunshine , it was "old hat"  by my time, I do have some "Moonshine" from the era.

  Bigiron

[George]

Hey Ed:

If you're talking about the Boy Scouts thing, the merit badge calls out one of two specific "build" requirements, which you can see here: http://www.usscouts.org/mb/mb025.asp

 

Thanks for pointing to this. I will look into it.

I have been a Scouter for 32 years. My son made Eagle and is now a teacher (age 41).

I notice many of us have been involved with Scouting.

Re Dirt: Someone posts that they are not older than dirt but remember when it was patent pending.   

George

[Jo Ann Keville]

Both The Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts should have a listing in the phone book. You can contact the area Council that way and they can put the word out to the local troops in you area. And Yes include the Girls. I had my troop out to a control line contest, had a trainer there, taught several of them to fly and had two solo that day. They can be just as interested as the boys in aviation. Good luck!!!

[Avaiojet]

My RC club, where I do most of my CL flying, has just survived an attempt by the Oregon parks department to kick us out.  They changed their minds -- at least provisionally -- thanks to our lobbying and testimony about how we do, indeed, fit the mission of the Oregon parks (our club VP showing up with his kid the engineering student, who's been flying since he was in diapers seems to have added a lot of help to carrying the day).

Now we're thinking of trying to make that notion stick a bit harder, and to thank the park, by doing some public outreach.

Well, you saved your field and you have it. You could be done right there. I would go no further and let things cool down a bit.

Sometimes, reaching out to the "public" and bringing unneeded "attention" to yourselves, can do more harm/damage than good. I've seen this first hand.

In my R/C days, I've seen three great and one not so great, fling sites get taken away because of nitwits.

And there's plenty of nitwits, wheather you want to talk about them or not. 

My questions are -- what's the best way to reach out to scouts and scout masters to let them know about the Boy Scout thing, and what's the best way to reach the general public about the open house?

Like I said, I'd pass on that "open house."

To promote anything, you have to get people/children interested, starting with their parents first.

They see that spinning prop and think that tennis or musical instruments are safer. And they are right. A hurtle?

Realistically. I would suggest getting involved with Genreal Aviation. Start with the local strip, the non towered ones.

Have the event there, well away and unrelated to your flying site.

Or, simply set up tables at your LHS and do a "Model Airplane Day." A show and tell. Then, those interested can be invited to the field. Start small. 

You get people into the hobby only one at a time.

And your relationship with your LHS, is the best place where this can start.

Charles

[Brian Massey]

You might try contacting local Big Brothers and Big Sisters. That way you get an adult accompanying each child.

Please keep us posted on your progress, and the results when you "get r done".

Brian

[Norm Furutani]

As I type, two of our local clubs are doing a youth program at the local EAA event. Blacksheep is doing a build and fly, FF rubber power and the Knights Of The Round Circle(Larry Renger and gang) are giving ukie lessons with their electric trainers. Last year, KOTRC were featured on local TV at this same event. These guys have done many very successful airport and hobby shows. RSM is even making kits for Larry's trainer.

Personally, I've done Delta Darts with the Boy Scouts and FAA youth program, Tustin blimp hangar HLG build and flys.

Decide how you guys would like to go about this and use the experience of this membership.
The worst are things like "we'll build handlaunch gliders" and no one knows how to make them fly!

Don't forget to make it fun for your guy's, too!

Norm Furutani, AMA9408

[Tim Wescott]

The worst are things like "we'll build handlaunch gliders" and no one knows how to make them fly!

I know how to make hand launch gliders fly.  And if I can get his attention, we have a club member who's forgotten more about free flight than I've ever learned, and another club member has a son who currently flies pretty much all free flight competition, all the time.

Fortunately with the right design of hand launch glider, all you have to do is put them together per the plan, put the CG at the right spot, and throw them right.

[Balsa Butcher]

Just a suggestion based on experience: Modify the gliders so they can be rubber band launched. Easier on young (and old) arms and the kids get a thrill with the fast initial launch and transition to a glide. Model, a small piece of dowel and a rubber band is all you need. If you want to really get their imagination going, make some profile rubber band launched jets. Kits are available from Pat Tritle (Patscustom-models-(dot)com). A little pricey for what you are going for but that is the idea. 

[Norm Furutani]

I know how to make hand launch gliders fly.  And if I can get his attention, we have a club member who's forgotten more about free flight than I've ever learned, and another club member has a son who currently flies pretty much all free flight competition, all the time.

Fortunately with the right design of hand launch glider, all you have to do is put them together per the plan, put the CG at the right spot, and throw them right.

Then you know what I mean!

I like the DeltaDart. Midwest will sell you parts to make 35 kits for $50. Scout masters are always looking for meeting activities and a DD build fits right in. One 2 hour session is plenty for the build. Bring other models and/ or video for display. No CA glue for the kids, but you will need razor blades. Helpers is a must. I use a fixture for attaching and setting the wing dihedral. An adult using CA is in charge of this.

All models are collected at the end of the building session. After the kids are gone, DDs are checked for errors and pre trimmed.

On flying day, helpers are armed with winders and trim flights begin. Always have competition and prizes! Mass launches work. Be ready for a fly away, the kids will run and not watch traffic etc!
Indoors in a HS gym you can expect 25 sec flights with a stock DD.

Make sure someone is taking pics!

Norm Furutani

[Bill Johnson]

Well, you saved your field and you have it. You could be done right there. I would go no further and let things cool down a bit.

Sometimes, reaching out to the "public" and bringing unneeded "attention" to yourselves, can do more harm/damage than good. I've seen this first hand.

In my R/C days, I've seen three great and one not so great, fling sites get taken away because of nitwits.

And there's plenty of nitwits, wheather you want to talk about them or not. 

Like I said, I'd pass on that "open house."

To promote anything, you have to get people/children interested, starting with their parents first.

They see that spinning prop and think that tennis or musical instruments are safer. And they are right. A hurtle?

Realistically. I would suggest getting involved with Genreal Aviation. Start with the local strip, the non towered ones.

Have the event there, well away and unrelated to your flying site.

Or, simply set up tables at your LHS and do a "Model Airplane Day." A show and tell. Then, those interested can be invited to the field. Start small. 

You get people into the hobby only one at a time.

And your relationship with your LHS, is the best place where this can start.

Charles

Interesting comment. I would respectfully disagree that the club stop and rest let things calm down. Those who want the site shut down will not stop so the club should continue efforts to build some "Brownie Points" with the local community and the Boys Scouts is a great way to do that. Scouts remember these experiences and a successful program of assisting them will pay dividends for years to come. Don't make it public,  just build a program to assist the local scoutmasters, get involved, and stick that in your back pocket for future ammo in what will be an on-going fight.

[Noel Corney]

Go to my clubs website . Hellcats aviation inc. Have a look at our education page. Regards , Noel.

[Steve Scott]

   There used to be an "Aviation" merit badge that the scouts could earn.  I  was into scouting with my sone back then and was the one who certified that the scouts had indeed filled the requirements for the badge.  One of those requirements as to build and fly a model airplane.

  You might look into that aspect.

  bigiron

Still is the Aviation merit badge.  I used to be one of the councilors.  My son came up through scouts, learned to fly CL, RC and is now an engineering student at a state university.

I'm currently working with county and local officials to get a multi-use field at a newly developed tract of land long used to manufacture and test ammunition.  It is within the greater metropolitan zone of the Twin Cities and would serve a sorely needed segment in a suburban setting.

Perhaps the greatest impetus for my success so far is the fact that I've volunteered for our local city's Parks and Rec Department as well as working elections for the county.  Our Parks and Rec committee has 2 AMA members and a 3rd dabbles with helis.

Several middle, high school and university programs have reached out to us for assistance with their aviation/engineering programs.  This again, lends tremendous legitimacy when approaching civic officials.  Of course, if you become a civic official - or contribute to one's campaign, so much the better.

There is a public open house event for this parcel we hope to get a slice of this week.  I've been recruiting several CL, RC and heli groups to show up.  I've instructed all of them to identify themselves with AMA.  I've also enlisted support from AMA Flying Site Coordinator Tony Stillman as well as our AMA District VP.

[Steve Riebe]

I think reaching out to the Boy Scouts is a great idea. The way the management for scouting (at least in my area) works is as follows:

There is a "Council" which is the primary hub for smaller divisions called "Districts". The council may manage a large area, perhaps several counties in your area. The districts are what makes up the council and there may be a few to many in each council, depending on population density and territory.

The "Districts" will usually have a monthly meeting called a roundtable for the Troop or Pack leaders to attend. These are usually geared to be fun things to do for the leaders and this is where you would probably get the most exposure. I would recommend contacting the Council in your area first, then get a contact person for the districts in your area you feel would be close enough to your club to attend an event. I would start by making a presentation at the district roundtable meeting for the leaders and go from there. You would want to do a very simple activity for the Cub Scouts (ages 1st through 5th grades) and something a little more challenging for the Boy Scouts, ages 6th grade through 17 years old. For what it's worth, the Boy Scouts have their own insurance and are covered during any kind of approved event. 

I believe our hobby is very slowly disappearing. We need to get youngsters interested and involved if we want to see things return to the way it was years ago. Think of how many contests are no longer being held, and how many hobby shops and manufacturers are getting away from C/L flying. The more we can do now the better the future will look for our kids and grand kids. Best of luck with your endeavors

[Rick Bollinger]

I am the Scoutmaster for our Troop and also Den leader for my youngest (cubscout). I agree with doing something with the Cubscouts. Find your local council then ask them for the contact for your towns Cubmaster. If you go to the roundtable you may end up with kids from a 100 mile radius  . I would suggest a local area event only. A (Take A Scout Model Flying) event. Be sure to make it easy and at your field. Show off some fancy planes, make and fly some gliders they'll love it. Take notes and pictures have someone wright up a article send it in to the papers. You could even call the paper and local news station. They like good news. Good press is a win-win.

[Kevin Ferguson]

Make sure whatever you do, and whoever you have doing it will be excited about and enjoy doing it.  If one of the adults would rather be elsewhere, the kids will pick up on that, and it won't go well.  Stay upbeat if one or two kids think they are too cool and sophisticated for toy airplanes.  Best that the kids are there of their own choosing, not because dad made them.

[M Spencer]

best way to reach the general public

Flying a twin with no mufflers in the school holidays at the local park at 10 am
will have any boy with a bicycle within earshot there before you land it . 

[john e. holliday]

And also the local police in my part of the country.

[Tim Wescott]

And also the local police in my part of the country.

They just come because they want to be flying, too.