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THE NFFS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: January 2007 [Society President Rex Hinson has moved that once each quarter and effectivewith this issue of Digest, one of the NFFS district vice presidents will write a column to replace his usual President¹s Column. VPs will rotate this duty on an east-west basis. Leading off is East District Vice President Vic Nippert. He will be followed by Dave Lacey (South District), Bob Hanford (Central District) and Walt Ghio (West District).‹Editor.] Some Benefits of Mentoring As I write this, leaves are blowing horizontally past my window. My flying season has ended for several months and it¹s time to get the snow blower tuned up to face the onslaught of winter. Those of us who live in the Northeastern U.S. are accustomed to the pattern: changing colors, weakening sunlight, and bundling up against the morning cold. Although we do get some very flyable days during the fall months, they are short lived. Rainy days soak the field and swell streams, making a trip to the flying field a test of will power and physical discomfort. As cold fronts weave their way over us, strong winds make most days unflyable, and what else can we do, but fly indoors! Over the last seven years or so, my local club has been quite active in not only flying indoors, but in mentoring middle- and high-school programs in model aerodynamics and building programs. They usually culminate in indoor flying sessions and Science Olympiad programs. This volunteer work has served us well: Our club members get to fly year round; we work with some really enthusiastic youngsters; and we are able to teach our hobby and sport to future modelers. And it¹s not just the youngsters that catch the bug either! We¹ve added quite a few adults and parents to our club roster as a result of working with the schools and the kids. In exchange for our time and efforts with the youngsters, the schools have given us their gym facilities for flying, so everyone wins! Science Olympiad is a nationwide competition that includes some very technical, but fun events. Most schools that are interested in being part of the competitions go begging for adults that could mentor kids in special skills. That¹s where our club¹s volunteers come in. This year, the program consists of two events that are flown by the two different age groups: a balloon-launched glider event for middle-school youngsters; for the high schools, the Wright Stuff event. It calls for a typical indoor model with a heavier wing loading that puts the designs in the range of easily built, first-time indoor models. Scoring is the best of two flights within an eight-minute time limit. It¹s really great to see the two-person teams work together during the competition. Our group of mentors has been proud to be part of it and look forward to it every winter. We¹ve even run the New York state championships for both age groups: the middle schoolers flew at a local college; and the New York high-school championships were held at West Point. Man, the kids sure walk taller when they compete there! What I¹m suggesting here is that you NFFS members get in touch with your local middle schools and senior high schools. It¹s quite possible that you can be of use to the schools¹ science teachers in mentoring an indoor flying program for Science Olympiads, or in organizing an after-school activity in aeronautics. The benefits? You could very well be the key person in some kids¹ future career or hobby. You and your club members might even obtain a great flying site as a result of your efforts! |
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Vic Nippert, NFFS East District Vice President 
