Is it a Hobby or a Sport

[Mike Griffin]

Often times I see written what we do referred to as a "Sport".  Other times, I see it written and referred to as a "Hobby."  So which is it?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a Sport as follows:  An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which one individual or a team competes against another for entertainment.

Merriam Webster defines a Hobby as follows:  A pursuit outside of one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation.

So....are we one or the other ..... or are we a little bit of both?  Is it a sport when we fly competition in contests and a hobby when we just go fly on Sunday afternoons for fun and relaxation?

Ultimately, will a definition of what we do matter,  say in relation to this ongoing debate of what the AMA has done creating this mess with their love affair with drones that has been discussed over and over and over again on this forum?

 Mike

[RknRusty]

Well, we overlap, rightfully using both terms. Aeromodeling is a combination of hobbies; building airframes, tuning engines, lots of things that provide relaxation, pleasure, and pride. For some of us, these combine to provide an endgame of fun-flying or competitive flying. Funny, we often call fun-flying  "sport flying" but meaning it in the non competitive sense. I list my PA flights on YouTube in the "Sports " category... they don't offer a "Fugly" category, lol.

So I don't think we can just pin it all down to specifically one or the other. I get fun, fellowship, and pride from all of it.

And when I fly the planes I so lovingly build, in a sporting contest, sometimes I win and sometimes I don't win. And sometimes I crash and sometimes I don't crash.
Rusty

[Randy Cuberly]

Well, we definitely fit both of those definitions so I guess it's both.

The better question is why does it really matter.  The Money and Women are the same either way!

Randy Cuberly

[M Spencer]

A Magnificent Obsession . 

Phil Granderson says Comps Aint Hobbies . Theyre Sports .  That makes us all ATHELETES !  .

[goozgog]

   To me it's obvious.
 
When I'm building a plane, it's a hobby.
When I'm flying, it's a sport.

 What keeps me flying is the high
quality people who fly.

[JoeJust]

It is neither.  What we have is a disease. I caught it very early in life and there is absolutely no cure!

[Mike Griffin]

It is neither.  What we have is a disease. I caught it very early in life and there is absolutely no cure!

That is good Joe. 

Mike

[Kevin Muckleroy]

Hobby? Sport? Both? But what can it be named to use as a tax deduction?

[Brad LaPointe]

F2D combat is definitely a sport . A team sport . F2C is also , more like an extreme sport . Stunt ,F2B is like figure skating or diving with judges in the mix . Still a sport .

I tried to convince my tax preparer that my combat planes should be considered noxious bird control but that didn’t ...ahem fly .

Brad

[Avaiojet]

It is neither.  What we have is a disease. I caught it very early in life and there is absolutely no cure!

It's really Xanadu.

But it'd been destroyed by those that wish to be King.

[FLOYD CARTER]

 A third definition;  A CHALLENGE.  Anyone can build some sort of kit model.  Most people are able to spend a day at the field engaging in the physical parts of flying.

Real satisfaction is derived from solving problems.  They occur constantly in design and construction.  We make mistakes, and we fret over ways to overcome the many difficulties and pitfalls encountered "going our own way". We stay awake at night trying to figure out the plan for next day's building session.

When it all works to our satisfaction, there is a great sense of accomplishment.

[Brett Buck]

Where do you fly? I want to go there.

     Oregon.

    However, you don't need to go anywhere,  there are plenty of good guys around you.

     Brett

[john e. holliday]

That is what is great about model planes, cars, boats and fishing.   I have dabble in all and the model planes won out it seems.  Like Joe says it is a disease.   So to me it depends on if I'm flying in a contest or just relaxing at the circle.

[Serge_Krauss]

This question was a root of some horrible and needless politics a decade ago that mirror much of what we see today outside of aeromodeling
. The simple answer is that "It" is a hobby, among whose subsets are sporting activities. IOW, some of flying model planes is sport, and some isn't. It certainly is not one OR the other exclusively, much as a few have tried to make that so. Modeling itself is a subset of even intersection of other categories. We are much more than some make us out to be, and I think that's just grand!

[Randy Cuberly]

In my opinion modeling combines both physical and technical skills as only a very few other activities can!

That places it in a somewhat unique category of avocations.  Maybe we need a new word for those kinds of activities.

 

Randy Cuberly

[Avaiojet]

In my opinion modeling combines both physical and technical skills as only a very few other activities can!

That places it in a somewhat unique category of avocations.  Maybe we need a new word for those kinds of activities.

 

Randy Cuberly

How about 'NUGENIX.'

[Randy Cuberly]

How about 'NUGENIX.'

UUhhhhhhh...NO, I don't think that works exactly!   

Nice try though!

Nugenix definition:

Nugenix is a natural male enhancement supplement that is designed to boost free testosterone in males. It contains several ingredients that are intended to improve sexual health in males which in turn can lead to several other benefits such as increased virility, increased sex drive, and increased libido.

Randy Cuberly

[Avaiojet]

UUhhhhhhh...NO, I don't think that works exactly!   

If you have a flight that lasts longer than 4 hours, see your doctor.

[Ruslan Kurenkov]

Hello.
I fully agree that this is a DISEASE.
I contracted this wonderful disease in 6 years (43 years I'm happy)
For some, it is a sports illness (the second stage, chronic)
For others, this is a hobic illness (the first stage, acute)
For third - it's when all mixed up, and no matter what stage (this is my stage).
I get very much pleasure from hobbies (training), from sports (competitions) and from communication with sportsmen (froms, competitions and trainings).
For me, the most important thing is communication (personal, phone, forums).
Flying in competitions and in training without communication (when you are alone) - this is like a rubber woman in sex.

[Gordon Van Tighem]

In the late 70s/early 80s our national association (Canada) circulated thousands of bumper stickers...”Model Aviation - a great Hobby/ Sport!”
There was a brief gain politically with our federal government, and some effort to get a model aviation event in the Olympics. For the long term the debate continues - as evidenced by this post.
G

[Brett Buck]

In the late 70s/early 80s our national association (Canada) circulated thousands of bumper stickers...”Model Aviation - a great Hobby/ Sport!”
There was a brief gain politically with our federal government, and some effort to get a model aviation event in the Olympics. For the long term the debate continues - as evidenced by this post.

   It's not much of debate and it doesn't ultimately matter very much. The most recent controversy indirectly referred to by Serge above was only indirectly related to the sport/hobby issue and no one would have been very interested or concerned over which way it came out if it wasn't the tip of a much larger iceberg.

    There have a been a few rather absurd comments (independent of the Brodak mess) about making it a "sport" so you could get coverage of a stunt contest on the local news, Wide World of Sports, etc. I can easily envision going to Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts, at the time, sports director of KPIX, and telling him, "hey, Dan, you are going to have to cut that 49er/Giants/A's/Raiders/Warriors/Sharks/Cal/Stanford/San Jose State segment short, we have footage of middle-aged men playing with toy airplanes on strings on a ballfield somewhere. It's almost as good as watching paint dry!"

     People want to imagine that stunt is something that is endlessly fascinating and that absolutely everyone would want to participate if they had the exposure and option to. That's absurd, it's an incredibly narrow niche hobby in a very narrow category, it will never have widespread appeal in the sense that even casual sports like tennis and golf have, no matter how you attempt to rebrand it.

     There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, I am not sure why some people seem to get their feelings hurt when someone (or rather, anyone, given that you might have 5000 regular fliers in a world of 7 billion people) doesn't agree or want to do it.

    Brett

   

[Avaiojet]

In the late 70s/early 80s our national association (Canada) circulated thousands of bumper stickers...”Model Aviation - a great Hobby/ Sport!”
There was a brief gain politically with our federal government, and some effort to get a model aviation event in the Olympics. For the long term the debate continues - as evidenced by this post.
G

Gordon,

We do have great Aviation museums. Each and every one of them should have an area dedicated to Model Aviation with a monitor and a video loop explaining the history and areas of participation.

You would think this is already happening?

It would help.

I have grown up neighbors that see my models and have no idea what they are all about.

OK. I have Forum members that view my models the same way.

 

[Mike Griffin]

  "People want to imagine that stunt is something that is endlessly fascinating and that absolutely everyone would want to participate if they had the exposure and option to. That's absurd, it's an incredibly narrow niche hobby in a very narrow category, it will never have widespread appeal in the sense that even casual sports like tennis and golf have, no matter how you attempt to rebrand it. "

Brett you have a great way of expressing the truth and the obvious.  Thank you.

Mike

[Randy Cuberly]

   It's not much of debate and it doesn't ultimately matter very much. The most recent controversy indirectly referred to by Serge above was only indirectly related to the sport/hobby issue and no one would have been very interested or concerned over which way it came out if it wasn't the tip of a much larger iceberg.

    There have a been a few rather absurd comments (independent of the Brodak mess) about making it a "sport" so you could get coverage of a stunt contest on the local news, Wide World of Sports, etc. I can easily envision going to Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts, at the time, sports director of KPIX, and telling him, "hey, Dan, you are going to have to cut that 49er/Giants/A's/Raiders/Warriors/Sharks/Cal/Stanford/San Jose State segment short, we have footage of middle-aged men playing with toy airplanes on strings on a ballfield somewhere. It's almost as good as watching paint dry!"

     People want to imagine that stunt is something that is endlessly fascinating and that absolutely everyone would want to participate if they had the exposure and option to. That's absurd, it's an incredibly narrow niche hobby in a very narrow category, it will never have widespread appeal in the sense that even casual sports like tennis and golf have, no matter how you attempt to rebrand it.

     There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, I am not sure why some people seem to get their feelings hurt when someone (or rather, anyone, given that you might have 5000 regular fliers in a world of 7 billion people) doesn't agree or want to do it.

    Brett

   

Brett,
Of course I agree with you.  At least for the most part!  It certainly is exactly as you say.  I would remind everyone however that it hasn't always been that way.

When I was a youngster growing up in the Midwest there was a widespread interest in Control line flying and a certain National awareness of exactly what it was.   Most of my friends in school were involved in modeling to some degree and many to a large degree.  Even those that weren't directly involved had at least a modicum of knowledge of what it was.   No not in great detail as with the major American sports but still a wide spread awareness.  Short spots on TV and Radio about the activity and people flying were fairly common.  Disneyland even had a flying demonstration site that was fairly well attended.   Several TV kid shows like Spin and Marty etc. had segments showing the activity as part of stories. 

Then the Great commercial community lost all interest in it and it died away.  Just no major money in it to promote.  I sincerely believe that's what drives America and it's interests.  Money and the Media.  Only so much time for commercials and the interest goes where the money is!

It's not unique!  Other activities have come and gone much the same way.  Motorcycle racing was a great draw for a while and the media poured large amounts of time and money into it but soon the media and the general public found something new to promote.

Football, Baseball, and Basketball, especially the professional aspects of those sports, consume all of the media time today, and make all of the money for commercials.  There are probably about as many talking heads on the boob tube talking about those three sports as there are people playing them.  My how the money rolls in!!!

Then of course there is the constant assailment about politics and the politicians that consume whatever interest is left over!  A lot of money rolls in there also, a great deal of it probably our TAX money!

It seems there just isn't enough interest or time left over for common enjoyments like modeling today!

Trust me all this "interest" is orchestrated and driven by the media and money, money, money!  The money of course coming from commercial interests that simply want to sell something.  Most often something expensive like automobiles or houses or trips around the world.

A long time ago Mr. Mac (short for McCleod) the proprietor of Ace Hobby and Crafts in Kansas City MO just up the street from Westport High School, yes I still miss the old Buzzard today, told me that modeling was a child of the Great Depression.  People that were poor and could no longer afford to buy expensive cars, boats, clothes, and trips to Europe turned to making toy airplanes and toy cars etc. on their dining room tables.  I believed him then and still do.  It takes "Hard Times" for people, especially the sellers, to become interested in the simpler things! 

Could be that will happen again.  Or maybe not!

Is America a better place today?  Personally I don't think so, but then I'm just one old curmudgeon!

Randy Cuberly

[Roy DeCamara]

If I ever get a flight that last longer than four hours, I'm calling everyone!!!   

[Steve Helmick]

     Oregon.

    However, you don't need to go anywhere,  there are plenty of good guys around you.

     Brett

Actually, the question was about "Goozgog", which translates to Keith Morgan from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  Steve

[Brett Buck]

When I was a youngster growing up in the Midwest there was a widespread interest in Control line flying and a certain National awareness of exactly what it was.   Most of my friends in school were involved in modeling to some degree and many to a large degree.  Even those that weren't directly involved had at least a modicum of knowledge of what it was.   No not in great detail as with the major American sports but still a wide spread awareness.  Short spots on TV and Radio about the activity and people flying were fairly common.  Disneyland even had a flying demonstration site that was fairly well attended.   Several TV kid shows like Spin and Marty etc. had segments showing the activity as part of stories. 

Then the Great commercial community lost all interest in it and it died away.  Just no major money in it to promote.  I sincerely believe that's what drives America and it's interests.  Money and the Media.  Only so much time for commercials and the interest goes where the money is!

     I submit it was just the opposite - people lost interest in it, so no one could make money on it. It *is* just like a lot of other things.

   Thornburg pegs this even to a specific date - October 4, 1957. That was the day that aviation became yesterday's news. By the 70's, while most people knew about Cox airplanes, that was the extent of it, and it was hard to find people to fly with even in the mid-70s. I flew rockets, not airplanes, as a kid, and that was somewhat oddball even then.

   Radios were the same in the 20-40s, but all along, everyone was just waiting for TV, and as soon as TV was practical, radio (which was the boom to end all booms) died almost overnight. CL was popular but that was because RC was not practical until the 70's. CL was dropped like a hot potato as a sport activity as soon as that happened, and became a niche of a niche.
       

A long time ago Mr. Mac (short for McCleod) the proprietor of Ace Hobby and Crafts in Kansas City MO just up the street from Westport High School, yes I still miss the old Buzzard today, told me that modeling was a child of the Great Depression.  People that were poor and could no longer afford to buy expensive cars, boats, clothes, and trips to Europe turned to making toy airplanes and toy cars etc. on their dining room tables.  I believed him then and still do.  It takes "Hard Times" for people, especially the sellers, to become interested in the simpler things! 

Could be that will happen again.  Or maybe not!

    I partially agree, and some of the effect is no doubt that people are inconceivably, unfathomably wealthy and have been for 3 generations. But even in times of relative downturn, you are right, people turn to smaller/cheaper activities. But it's not going to be CL model airplanes. If anything, its easier and cheaper and less involvement to fly RC than CL and the legions of the buy and fly RC people (and now drone idiots) are those people.


       None of this reflects in any way the value of CL or CL Stunt in particular, I am completely on board. But we shouldn't get our nose out of joint or feel less of ourselves, or be in any way surprised, or consider something wrong with the event or the world, if other people don't join us.

    Brett

[Randy Powell]

It's an activity.

[Randy Cuberly]

     I submit it was just the opposite - people lost interest in it, so no one could make money on it. It *is* just like a lot of other things.

   Thornburg pegs this even to a specific date - October 4, 1957. That was the day that aviation became yesterday's news. By the 70's, while most people knew about Cox airplanes, that was the extent of it, and it was hard to find people to fly with even in the mid-70s. I flew rockets, not airplanes, as a kid, and that was somewhat oddball even then.

   Radios were the same in the 20-40s, but all along, everyone was just waiting for TV, and as soon as TV was practical, radio (which was the boom to end all booms) died almost overnight. CL was popular but that was because RC was not practical until the 70's. CL was dropped like a hot potato as a sport activity as soon as that happened, and became a niche of a niche.
       

    I partially agree, and some of the effect is no doubt that people are inconceivably, unfathomably wealthy and have been for 3 generations. But even in times of relative downturn, you are right, people turn to smaller/cheaper activities. But it's not going to be CL model airplanes. If anything, its easier and cheaper and less involvement to fly RC than CL and the legions of the buy and fly RC people (and now drone idiots) are those people.


       None of this reflects in any way the value of CL or CL Stunt in particular, I am completely on board. But we shouldn't get our nose out of joint or feel less of ourselves, or be in any way surprised, or consider something wrong with the event or the world, if other people don't join us.

    Brett

Again,
You're correct to a degree and I didn't mean to imply that you weren't, but I still sincerely believe that the trend follows the market and the market  (what's available and advertised) primarily determines what's advertised and sold.  When R/C systems became available that were reliable and could be manufactured for a reasonable price the market certainly recognized that the higher price of the equipment and aircraft would bring in much more money at the same margin price.  Hence the advertising and impetus of the industry shifted to R/C an there fore created the greater demand.  People largely buy what's available if it's acceptably desirable.  Control line items became much more difficult to obtain (boy do I remember that) and R/C products replaced them.  I don't believe that's only a result of DEMAND.  It certainly can be cleverly orchestrated!  The mass of people out there are largely "Sheep".  The kind of people who stuck with CL simply had the desire to do what they enjoyed and were willing to provide the extra effort to do that!  I guess some of us just like to do what we know best. This is why I disdain changing to electrics...I guess  .

Randy Cuberly

[Mike Scholtes]

I am definitely in the "its a mental illness" camp. What else do you call something that has for 62-odd years consumed your thinking, pushed more serious matters out of the way, and interfered in your social development? I once lost out on an evening of intimate enjoyment with a young lady because I was enjoying flying my slope soarer so much I forgot our date. The fact that I didn't regret it indicates this truly is an illness. When unable to sleep I run through the stunt pattern in my mind, until I am relaxed enough to nod off. As noted in a post above, we work out building problems in the middle of the night, like planning a 3-d chess match. I don't care one way or another if one more person ever picks up a handle and tries out the wonders of mechanical control over a flying model. If they do, great. If they don't, meh. I have gotten so much enjoyment out of whatever you want to call this thing of ours, I am happy to sail off to Valhalla happy and content.

[GERALD WIMMER]

Hello
Lots of good ideas out there here's my summary:
When building it's a hobby and a craft
When designing a model it's science in action
When flying it's a sport and healthy activity
When mowing and weeding the flying field its gardening
When watching C/L videos its entertainment
When out flying with all my family it's a family activity together
When we go away to contests together it's our vacation

Regards Gerald

[goozgog]

Actually, the question was about "Goozgog", which translates to Keith Morgan from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  Steve

Hello Steve,

  Yes. I live in Toronto and belong to the Balsa Beavers,
I also fly at The Beanfield near Windsor On. and Detroit,
I haven't missed Brodak's in ten years and for the last
three years, the C/L guys at Manatee County RC
near Bradenton FL have made me very welcome.

  I am repeatedly amazed at how consistently excellent
the people involved with C/L are. As a comparison,
my other interest is Offshore Sailing. A large percentage
of yacht club types are not in the same league.

[Brett Buck]

Actually, the question was about "Goozgog", which translates to Keith Morgan from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  Steve

  I stand corrected, but the same comment applies.

      Brett

[Jim Kraft]

If you just won the latest contest it is a sport. If you lost by a wide margin it is a hobby. 

[Fredvon4]

Pondering this ever since Mike stepped in it...some how I have enough experience now with SH personalities to have been able to predict most of the responses

While it is a hobby to me.... mostly I think it is a SPORT jest because there are LAWS (DOT/FAA) and RULES (AMA/FAI) and PRIZES....stemming from COMPETITION

And even with zero competition LIKE me the flying of a hobby built model....I describe my flight as a SPORT flight and perhaps I am wrong by my own meager definition above...I am really only HOBBY flying

No matter as Brett and others have noted it is not relevant....   sadly sounds like we all agree WE are not relevant...except unto US

I like to think I did my part passing on a thrill, avocation, curiosity, and skill set to my son and grand son....they will inherit my mass of STUFF.. and either they will find nostalgia and fun, as I have, or they will make a buck or two....don't know

[Dave Harmon]

To me....a hobby is something to do when everything else is boring or for other reasons....to burn up some time.
To me....a sport is something that I don't do like car racing, any kind of ball type game or activity.

To me....Aeromodeling has ALWAYS been a way of life.
Everything else revolves around Aeromodeling and Amateur Radio.   

[Scott Richlen]

I agree with a lot of what Brett and Randy are saying.  I'll just add that years ago America was a nation of "do-it-yourselfers".

When I was a kid (many, many years ago) flying CL, the other kids would ask "how do I build one of those?"  Now they ask "where do I buy one of those?"

Many people (I'm excluding "us" here, since most of "us" are not in this category} are no longer self-sufficient.  Thus, rise of the nanny-state.

Most children have absolutely no concept of creating things.  Unless a child plays with LEGOs or something like that, they have no exposure to conception-design-fabrication-assembly.

Unfortunately, the typical child's daily environment is extremely passivating.  Kids are not interested in CL because they are flooded with passive, relaxing "activities" (doesn't seem appropriate to call watching You-Tube an activity, does it?) and the general culture is set against things that lead to self-initiative and self-reliance.

Consider the child's typical day:
- Wake up and get ready for school (under direction of hovering parent, or worse (maybe  not), empty house)
- School (under direction of teacher)
- After-school sports (under direction of hovering coach)
- Other after school "activities": You-Tube, gaming, TV viewing, etc. (all passive, unless the kid is lucky enough to have one of you guys as a mentor)
- Supper with hovering parents
- Homework
- more passive activities until bedtime

All passive, all under someone else's direction.  None self-directed.

So, we wonder why 26 year-olds are still living at home?  Not really.

We are very fortunate to have found CL.  Call it what you want, hobby or sport, it has been extremely beneficial to each of us.

[Dave_Trible]

I think my take these days is that for me it’s mostly pure sport.  I’m not sure how involved I’d be if I couldn’t compete.  I have some free flight and a couple RC planes that just sit year after year because I don’t compete with them.  For the time,  money and training involved- yeah sport.
My thoughts following the thread drift....I know from our vantage point it’s easy to assume these kids just aren’t like the ones when we grew up.  In some ways that’s true but I can say as far as involvement in model airplanes and CL in particular,  it’s not that much.  I graduated from a class of 714.  To my knowledge only myself and one other (for a couple years) took any interest in it.  And this was a day when hobby shops WITH CL stuff were all over the city.  Just as now there were other diversions (unfortunately including drugs and partying).  Today it’s more computer- related.  I have a grandson who knows how to fly but would rather play mine craft.  There are some young folks involved on the RC side.  That’s all they have been exposed to and see when they wander into the very few remaining hobby shops.   Not much new under the sun.

Dave

[Dan Berry]

It doesn't matter what we call it although calling it 'sport' seems to be trying to elevate it to a level that it isn't.

Here is the perceived reality from the general public-----
" Grown men playing with toy airplanes. How cute."

[Bob Heywood]

In Kettering, OH we had Miller's Sporting Goods that carried a nice assortment of model airplane stuff, right along side all the stick 'n ball stuff. The staff knew what they had.

Of course, we also had a shop with model airplane stuff, even a Morton M5, that also sold and repaired vacuum cleaners. Does that mean models sucked dirt?

[Avaiojet]

A few years back, I as talking with John Simpson and he and I agreed, that CLPA was "our" sport, but HO model railroading was "our" hobby.

I often consider CLPA contests the sport aspect of this madness, but the magazine/engine/kit/prop/handle/etc collections,  the hobby end of all this.  I have over 135 engines, most are still usable, 48 kits not counting my rubber, free flight or scale kits. Lets don't even go over to my ship models or my HO models.

Any activity that requires the tossing of money into a hole is a hobby, such as owning a boat (hole in the water one tosses money into) etc.  If you get a prize for the money tossing, then it's a sport, yes, just like playing craps.  In Nevada, we refer to craps as a dice game. Games of luck against other suckers is a sport. 

Any activity that requires the tossing of money into a hole is a hobby, such as owning a boat

What about owning an aircraft?

If it's used for a business, like the business I had, could it then be called a profession?

There are some in CL that have businesses, Tom Morris is a good example.

Is CL his 'profession' or hobby?

Both?

[Ken Culbertson]

To me and a few other's I know it is like Golf.  To quote a movie line "a game that can never be won, only played."  Just as there will never be an 18 in golf there will never be a 645 in PA.  We have all had that moment when everything worked and your creation flew a pattern that just flowed.  Almost like it wanted to show you what it could do and you were just watching. Sport/Hobby?  Who cares, to have another one of those patterns is why I fly and I don't care if the only witness is my stooge.

[Bob Heywood]

On their web site the FAI bills itself as the World Air Sports Federation.

As our representative to the FAI the United States' national aero club, the National Aeronautics Association, has this to say on the matter: Aeromodeling encompasses the design, building and flying of model aircraft, in all their various forms. Once viewed as just a hobby, aeromodelling has become one of the largest and most popular air sports in the world.

Aeromodeling can be traced back to the Wright Brothers, who used kites and model airfoils to test their theories on controlled flight. Models are still highly practical today as they are often designed for theoretical work and before full-size aircraft go into production.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) oversees the sport of aeromodelling, and represents more than 170,000 members and 2,500 model aviation clubs. AMA was founded in 1936; today AMA lists its purpose as the “promotion, development, education and advancement of modeling activities.” It is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing aeromodelling as a recognized sport and worthwhile recreation activity. AMA sanctions more than a thousand model competitions throughout the country each year.


So, officially at least, what we do is considered a sport.

[Brett Buck]

So, officially at least, what we do is considered a sport.

   This is the same bunch that has a dream of putting something like RC Pattern in the Olympics, which is about as likely as finding the Hope Diamond in your burrito at Chipotle.

     Brett

[curtis williams]

Is anyone been sponsored by Red Bull?  Sounds like a hobby to me.

[Bob Heywood]

To each his own...

[Brett Buck]

Is anyone been sponsored by Red Bull?  Sounds like a hobby to me.

   There are at least a few sponsored fliers, but they are very uncommon. Steve Buso was one, for example (part of the "Zap Gang", as I recall).

      As most realize, it doesn't matter whether it is a hobby or sport. But the difference is that it involves model construction, as the basic idea is to build model airplanes and then compete with them in some way. This distinguishes it from sports, where you are just there to compete in some way. And (s previously mentioned) the removal of BOM for most FAI events was coincident with the utterly delusional notion that they are administering the Olympics, except with miniature airplanes instead of skiiing or running.

   Interestingly, and completely as an aside, CL is far and away the closest thing there is in modeling to a real sport, because it does involve significant physical skill and activity. Stunt and Combat competition has quite extensive physical skills and large-muscle activity that depends on performing on demand.  That was one of the appeals of CL compared to FF, that you could compete in physical skills in additional modeling skill and knowledge.

     The AMA fell into a similar thing about the same time it infected and started invalidating the FAI, early 70's, with the AMA "Greater Than Golf" promotion, trying to get RC Pattern on Wide World of Sports, among other things. That, predictably, didn't work, even when the same sorts of shows featured "Celebrity Barstool Racing" (exactly what it sounds like)  and "The World's Greatest Bouncer" competition* on occasion. People take one look at model airplanes and know exactly what it is, and lying about it or trying to spin-doctor it into something else is not and had not worked.

   This all seems to stem from people feeling they have to apologize for the fact that this all started as an activity for children to pretend to be Charles Lindberg, and that it was still fun when you grew up. Why anyone thinks they have to justify their actions as adults participating in what now is an almost purely adult activity is really beyond me. It's not less or more silly than most of what people do to fill their time. It's a fine way to spend time, it doesn't need enhancement.

     Brett

*which is the first time anyone heard of Mr. T - who won the bouncer competition, that consisted of running across a crowded "bar-room" set, and then *tossing a midget through a doorway*, with the score being based on the time it took to get across the room, and the distance the midget was tossed.

     

[Gerald Arana]

If I ever get a flight that last longer than four hours, I'm calling everyone!!!   

Four hours?! Hell, if I even got one to last four minutes I'd be a happy camper.....

Jerry

[Gerald Arana]

   This is the same bunch that has a dream of putting something like RC Pattern in the Olympics, which is about as likely as finding the Hope Diamond in your burrito at Chipotle.

     Brett

I don't know about the "Hope" diamond, but I did find a broken tooth a couple times......(mine) 

Jerry