Peter Jones 21

Roger I know of folk in the south who are in the 75-80 age range that are getting called up now, just about everyone I know over 80 has been vaccinated, one has even had the second jab, because they were vaccinated very early and went back before the second jab period was shifted from 3 to 12 weeks. Are you sure you have no upset someone down at the surgery !!

I think this graph shows good news from Israel on the effectiveness of the Pfizer Covid vaccine. The green dots are admissions to hospital for people who have been vaccinated. The blue dots are people in the same age group not vaccinated. I only pass the info on, I am not for or against vaccination. But it might brighten some ones day. Maccabi is one of four private health care providers in Israel.

Posted by Alan Gorham_ on 26/01/2021 14:21:02: Apologies Peter! I am confusing you with Roger Jones who likes a good argument on any given subject. We can of course agree to disagree but I would genuinely be interested as to how you would propose to attract young entrants to our hobby. I feel the BMFA have come to a similar conclusion to me as to their target demographic for new entrants - target those able to participate now without excluding those who may show interest in the future. I am definitely not seeking an argument. I know Roger likes a good bun fight, I have read a lot of posts that he is involved with. In my club we did not do anything in particular to get youngsters to show up, but once they did start to show up we gave a lot of help and encouragement, so they told their friends that they had a good time RC model flying and the word spread. They learn to fly super quick, really we just need to make them aware of flight rules and safety. We have a great indoor venue and it was quite a handful when 25% of the fliers were under 16 years old and discipline has to be handled very carefully as some parents don't like someone else even coming close to telling their kids what to do. Prior to Covid we were building up to holding some junior only competitions, that momentum will have to be built back up again.

Posted by Alan Gorham_ on 26/01/2021 13:42:08: You seem to do a lot of disagreeing Roger. Not Roger, rather Peter. Agree to disagree.

Posted by Alan Gorham_ on 26/01/2021 12:34:54: I've said before on previous threads that it is almost pointless trying to attract younger people as the main sources of new entrants into the hobby. Look at what you need to start flying the typical core interest type of R/C model covered by this forum. Once you have considered all the kit, radio equipment, chargers, tools, field support equipment etc, then take a look at practically getting to fly your model. How close is your local club? Oh you have to drive - but you are a kid, so you need a parent to take you (and I would suggest in 99.99% of clubs in the UK you will also need your parent to stay with you as the responsible adult, due to the child protection policy adopted for obvious reasons). Then look at what facilities may be on hand at your club. You may be lucky and have a cabin where you can get a warm or cold drink, or you may have an empty field with a bush for your comfort breaks. I would suggest that is not so very attractive prospect when compared to other attractions/interests. It's not a kids hobby - if multi-channel R/C ever was. Far better to attract 40ish year old parents as new entrants who have the cash, a bit of time, the means of getting to the field etc and if their kids get exposed to it and consider taking the hobby up when THEY are 40 then good. I would entirely disagree with this post, aeromodelling needs to attract all ages to continue, I place no emphasis on one group over another. Multi channel RC flight has been accessible to teenagers since the mid 1970's, yes you had to beg steal and borrow but we got there and what a ride it was. Regarding facilities modelling is no worse or better than any other hobby/event, my son and I competed for while in motorcycle trials, facilities there I can promise you. Bringing youngsters in to the hobby has challenges and rewards, the balance is in favour of the rewards if you have an open mind and do it right.

New to forum but been flying all types of model's for decades, hope to learn from the more experienced. Thanks Peter

Posted by Lima Hotel Foxtrot on 24/01/2021 12:42:02: Posted by Tony H on 24/06/2020 10:22:41: Hi All, I have been in this hobby for years, it seems to me that the hobby is on its last legs with maybe a year or two left in it. I see IC engines have almost no demand and are barely being sold, model shops are going out of business all over and the stock levels are awful compared to the past. What are your thoughts? I am concerned for the RC hobby as a whole, I can't see it lasting Is it due to the new CAA Regulations? and costs? "Is the hobby dying/dead?" Only for those who insist on living in the past. Agreed the hobby has a great future but it will not be a replica of the 1950's to 1980's period for better or worse. My Grandfather flew 'A' frame free flight models, the CL and RC models I flew first off in the 1970's were as far removed from the 'A' frames, as modern models are from the 1980's. Time moves on there is nothing that can be done, embrace the change and make the best of it.

Posted by Roger Jones 3 on 24/01/2021 09:38:37: Posted by Andy Symons - BMFA on 23/01/2021 20:24:35: I have to pull you up on that, new legislation really hasn't made it more difficult to give newcomers experience, they newcomers don't have to do anything until they get to the point of coming off the buddy lead. It's actually never been easier to get involved, reliable radio equipment is cheap and readily available, aircraft that can be in the air in a very short time are cheap and readily available too. We really need to stop the suggestions that the hurdles to participation are high, they really really aren't, they are as small if not smaller than they have ever been. That's all good in theory but it's unrealistic. 1) With the closure of so many small 'local' model shops you have to buy online from a limited number of suppliers. So a first time 'spur of the moment' purchase inspired by a nice picture on a box just doesn't happen. EG: In an effort to 'educate' me in the late 1950's my mother used to take me to a small private library, there being no public library in the area. It sold model plane kits too and my mother bought me one. I have been doing it ever since. But that doesn't happen any more. 2) Nor does the chance to be inspired to see a model plane flying. You have to seek out an often largely 'commercial' display and pay to get in, Or find them by chance flying in some remote and often bleak area. 3) Now the starting point is usually RC. That's MUCH more expensive than a KeilKraft Ajax and a bottle of clear dope was. 3) Today they mostly start with ARTF's, which are often foamies. One crash and it's the last you see of them. 4) You have to learn to fly RC. We could do that by ourself on a friendly farmers field or most 'out of town' public spaces. It was easy too because of our previous rubber/small diesel free flight and control line experience. 5) The need for insurance (which we never thought about in that far less legalistic world where 99% plus of the population had never even spoken to a solicitor), a CAA certificate, 'training' with a buddy box and a bloke willing to teach you and many clubs requiring a BMFA 'A' ticket, are all OBSTRUCTIONS, not easements. Edited By Roger Jones 3 on 24/01/2021 09:45:17 You are quite right in everything you say, but against that we never had things like Youtube and the very well accepted channels like Flite test, we have youngsters pitch up at the Southampton Club indoor flying sessions with these very rudimentary designs which you and I could really identify with from our youth, often being made from recycled materials and they get on and fly, these smart youngsters hardly need any flight training, just guidance on safety etc.

Posted by leccyflyer on 23/01/2021 12:55:57: As has already being pointed out the success of the hobby in terms of membership and model shop sales is not due to the standard of instruction available through clubs, or even the increased chances of success available through the excellent training aeroplanes equipped with stabilising technology. This is a partial reason, success in learning to fly creates the desire to do more particularly in older newcomers, it is a different problem with youngsters. The hobby needs engagement and success across multiple fronts.

The kids I teach to fly seem to pick it up in handful of flights, some even test fly their own models as a first radio control flight. Happens all the time in my club. Retention is the big challenge with youngsters.

Posted by Nigel R on 22/01/2021 13:40:02: ...and all the stuff UK used to export to the EU, where will the VAT on that go now? Under £135.00 to the EU I think collected in the UK, over £135.00 no VAT in the UK but collected on entry to the EU destination. I am reasonably sure that is how it is going to work.

Posted by Nigel R on 22/01/2021 13:05:23: Posted by Martin Harris - Moderator on 22/01/2021 12:44:03: I think most of us were unaware of the introduction of these measures to tighten up on VAT evasion. It does appear that things would have been tightened up across the EU whatever had happened after the referendum. At least we have a start on the rest of Europe! You're saying that like it is a good thing. It is.

Posted by MattyB on 22/01/2021 11:36:34: Weirdly I don't remember any of this stuff being on the side of a bus during the referendum campaign..... That is because it has nothing to do with the referendum!! it will be rolled out in the EU in June for all items coming from outside the EU. EU internal trade will continue as before. If we had voted to stay in the EU the truer costs on shady business practices from outside the EU would have been introduced in June 2021 in any case. I understand that within the EU the changes were slated for 31st Dec 2020 but are delayed 6 months with Covid being sited as the reason.

Posted by Frank Skilbeck on 21/01/2021 22:15:50: Posted by kevin b on 21/01/2021 21:28:19: Curious and more curious. If you look on the website it is being run by two people trading as Radio Control Publishing Ltd. One is British and the other is Italian. However if you look here. **LINK** Then it appears to be owned by Sarik, but none of the names tie up at Companies House. I might have a look at it, but don't think I will be buying a subscription. I wonder how long before R/C Model World reappears under "different" owners. It's nothing to do with Sarik Hobbies, the two guys acquired RC Jet International from Traplet and the rights to this title were probably acquired at the same time. They have been quite successful with RC Jet International over the pass few years. One of the editors worked/works for Ripmax, he is Colin Straus a nice chap and very capable modeller.