MattyB Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Martin Dilly 1 said: That pretty much says it. Having been involved for around 20 years in the negotiations that finally got model flying recognised in the early 1990s as a sport by the Sports Council (now Sport England) and the Central Council for Physical Recreation (now the Sport and Recreation Alliance) I can assure you that the semantics are actually important. When we took the first steps towards recognition of model flying as a sport we soon found that two major hold-backs were the title – Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers – and the words ‘hobby’ and ‘aeromodelling’. There’s nothing wrong with hobbies; stamp collecting, model railways or making a model of the Houses of Parliament out of a thousand matchsticks are pastimes that give people a lot of harmless enjoyment. Making model aircraft, whether Airfix plastics or ones that fly, can be a hobby too. But, as Fly Boy says, what we all enjoy is model flying and that is without a shadow of a doubt a sport; it’s a man-and-machine as well as a man-versus-the-elements one, whether we fly recreationally or competitively. Every time we fly a model, whether we’ve spent many hours building it or many pounds buying it, we’re enjoying a sport. It’s not a dirty word. It doesn’t imply cut-throat pot-hunting competition or trying to fly better than somebody else. If there is any competition then it’s you trying to make this flight just a bit better than your previous one. Why does this matter? Most UK Councils have a Sports and Recreation Committee which can provide funding and facilities for local sports clubs, including model flying clubs, and permission to use sites. So please, please, please can we stop referring to 'the hobby' and give model flying the respect it deserves as a SPORT. More labels... If you want to call it a sport fine to secure funding etc, fine, go ahead. I will continue to unapologetically call what I do a hobby, because that is what my activity is to me. Edited February 5 by MattyB 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryW Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Aeromodeller or Model Flier?????...... Let me Think......... Ahh Got It.... I'm neither... Im just a guy that enjoys doing something I'm actually good at with great friends & good company where we all go to the flying field when we can so we can all throw our models up & hang on to our transmitters with dear life praying like heck that they come back down in once piece so we cam take them home, give them the full works to polish them up ready for the next time we can do it all over again usually the following week... But if I really had to choose between Aeromodeller or Model Flier.... I wud have to say I'm An Rc Pilot through & through 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Do the last few posts infer that model flying is a sport and aeromodelling is a hobby? I would suggest that almost all of us are model flyers and many of us are aeromodellers. We have had several enthusiastic members over the years with little or no interest/aptitude for piloting their models but who have contributed greatly to the atmosphere of the club. Personally, I would welcome both the sporting enthusiast and hobbyist at my club. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 It's ironic that this thread has been posted in a virtual forum, hosted by a magazine who's title has not been matched by it's content for decades. 🤣 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 32 minutes ago, David Davis said: Those as well, A Norton Dominator in my case. Oh, we could have fun with this......I always tease my friends who have taken to reliving their youth by buying Lambrettas and Vespas by asking them when are they going to try some real motorcycling? Aeromodelling? According to the Collins Dictionary.......... noun 1. the making and flying of model planes adjective 2. relating to the making and flying of model planes I suppose the key thing is the making of a model rather than just the flying part. When I build an Airfix kit aeroplane I'm not aeromodelling , but when I do a bit on one of my R/C models I am aeromodelling because the aim is to get the project to fly...........or should I become an aeromodeller only when I'm actually flying it? What defines making? Design and construction? construction only? High level or low level construction i.e ARTF or scratch building from raw materials? This really does need to be investigated by the BMFA and discussed at length at both regional and national level and a fully endorsed definition of aeromodelling agreed upon. Only joking.....I think.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Frankly I'm appalled at the Collins Dictionary. This is a plane So is this This is an aeroplane. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 (edited) According to The Oxford Dictionary the word "aeromodeller" does not have a description. Looking back through the history of model making it would appear that the word has been "lifted" from the model making magazine bearing that name dedicated to those making and building model aircraft. In much the same way that Rappers get their name from the type of music they produce (if you call it music !). "Aeromodeller" is now a generic term referencing all those who partake in the producing and / or usage of flying models, whether they have wings or don't. Whether you like it, or not. ☺️ At the end of the day they are all "toys" So do you play at toy building, or toy flying ? I do both (and boats). I suppose it depends if you are a serious obsessionist, or just enjoy playing with toys. I know which I am. 🤣 Edited February 5 by kevin b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryW Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 10 minutes ago, kevin b said: At the end of the day they are all "toys" I more look at them as real fying aircraft in miniture 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 2 minutes ago, GaryW said: I more look at them as real fying aircraft in miniture There's nothing wrong with having an overactive imagination. I concur. 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 A sport...mon dieu, As someone very famous said, "If you train for it it's a sport, if you practice it's a game, or a passtime or whatever" ernie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 My recently delivered FMS Fox (2.3m) foamy just requires the Rx to be plugged in and programmed before I can fly it, so that will make me a ‘model flyer’. The Chilly Breeze I am currently building from last months RCM&E free plan however, makes me an ‘aeromodeller’ perhaps? You are right; as long as we enjoy the activity, what does it matter what we choose to call it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cooper Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 I have been playing with model aeroplanes for about 65 years and one thing which became apparent from the earliest of days was the belligerent attitude - and some have been quite vocal about it - which proclaims, "If you aren't doing it like I do then, you are doing it wrong" It is truly bizarre that this stupid sniping still persists. People enjoy this hobby at all levels. As long as they are having fun, what's the problem? 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeQ Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 (edited) Lol, theres a saying amongst fighter pilots “There are pilots that fly fighters and then there are fighter pilots” There is a difference but who cares if you are having fun. Mike PS Did i mention I was on the front of Aeromodeller Magazine 😂 PPS The only people who annoy me in this respect are the 5min HobbyKing wonders who only fly electric and complain about noisy glow motors. Or even worse, old farts, who were perfectly happy with glow motors back in he day but are now electric quiet flight zealots 😡 and can’t keep heir opinions to themselves on the field. Edited February 5 by MikeQ 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Wolfe Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 I remember my first and only 'ARF' model. (I won it at competition). Some of the glue joints were almost 1mm wide (I suppose that's why 'gap filling cyanoacrylate was invented, it was designed for for inaccurate builders) 🙃 Soon assembled and abandoned the model, it sold within a week at the local model shop 😌 I actually felt sorry for the person that purchased it as I had never before seen a model built from such cheap and crappy materials. So nowadays I build from that magic material called 'scratch' which is not obtainable in model shops or online and quality control is just down to one person 😉 * Chris * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeQ Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 (edited) I fly Freeflight, Control line (badly) and Radio. Have done for 45 years. But to be fair to the ARF only guys, its a bit of a job getting into building, even from kits. Just ordering bits and bobs turns into a massive headache. Its all mail order and you can never get everything from one place, Then theres the costs of tools and wood and and and. I don’t blame people for going down he ARF route. A lot are pretty good quality these days and way cheaper than building from plans or even kits. Edited February 5 by Martin Harris - Moderator Edited descriptive term. Please read code of conduct re. use of wildcard characters! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Futura57 Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 Not the type of modelling I usually do... Not too controversial I hope. Just need some warm weather so I can wear it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 I apologise in advance, slight thread drift.... The lambrettas and Vespas that flew off the Chelsea bridge, admittedly not very well, was that a hobby or a sport 🤣lol.... Has that bit of father Thames been dredged I wonder ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 If you're content and enjoy what you do, why would defining others matter ? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 6 hours ago, Ernie said: A sport...mon dieu, As someone very famous said, "If you train for it it's a sport, if you practice it's a game, or a passtime or whatever" ernie Not sure about that. Back in 1990 my wife and I were training for a serious Himalayan trek by doing a lot of walking and cycling (ie for a holiday!) Sadly, I got injured and wasn't able to go but my wife went the following year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Symons - BMFA Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 In answer to the original questions. No it doesn't matter in the slightest, be what you want to be and enjoy what you want to do, just do it with consideration for others, safely and lawfully. I do hope the good weather returns soon!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 Here here, well said Andy. Have you seen the weather forecast for wednesday/Thursday ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Symons - BMFA Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 6 minutes ago, Rich Griff said: Have you seen the weather forecast for wednesday/Thursday ! Haven't looked, I will be chained to my desk until the weekend. Hoping Sunday will be flyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 Put a survival kit in the car just in case... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 The origins of the of the BMFA is the SMAE. The Society of Model Aeronautical Engineers. When I fly a plane I am a model plane flyer. If I build a plane from a plan/kit I am an aero modeller. If I build a plane from scratch am I then a model aeronautical engineer? Do the semantics of a name really matter? Considering the amount of time and effort expended I am just a model plane nerd! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learner Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 Call it what you like, to most people were just a group of sad old men that haven't grown up playing with toy planes! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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