In America today, a great deal of emphasis is being placed on educating students in aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Through the building and flying of model airplanes for education and enjoyment, the hobby of model aviation has been teaching all aspects of STEM since the late 1800’s. Samuel Langley, the Wright brothers and many other people used models to help them develop the concepts that would ultimately lead to successful airplanes and to the aerospace industry that exists today. World War I made the general public aware of the importance of aircraft and the first businesses that sold kits for building flying model airplanes were started in the 1920’s. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA, modelaircraft.org) was founded in 1936. (Today it is one of the largest sport aviation organizations in the world. Among the many ways in which it supports STEM education are summer camps for youth and it has college scholarships available.) World War II spurred the development of all kinds of full-size aircraft and, after the war ended, the types of model aircraft also greatly expanded. The use of unmanned, remotely controlled aircraft has also greatly expanded. They are now being used by NASA, defense contractors, private industries of many kinds, law enforcement agencies, and by colleges and universities for more reasons than I could possibly put here.
Today, model airplanes (technically, they are miniature aircraft, for reasons I will explain in a moment) include hand-launched models and powered models that come in a wide variety of sizes and types. The largest segment of the hobby of model aviation consists of models that are controlled by radio signals sent from a hand-held transmitter (radio controlled, RC). These planes can have wingspans that range from less than 12 inches to more than 18 feet. They can be powered by two or four-stroke glow engines (they use a fuel that is mostly alcohol), gasoline engines, electric motors or turbojet engines. They can be single or multi-engine. Models flying today include sport models and models that represent military aircraft, commercial aircraft, general aviation aircraft and homebuilt aircraft from every era of aviation.
These miniature aircraft fly according to the same principles of science and physics that their people-carrying counterparts must follow. They use a wide variety of materials in their construction and if they are not engineered properly, they will not be able to withstand the forces imposed on them by the rigors of flight. The mathematics involved with model airplanes ranges from the use of both measurement systems to the use of algebraic formulas to the reading of charts and graphs to the use of various aspects of geometry and trigonometry and more.
In addition to learning STEM concepts and history, a person who gets involved with flying model aircraft will learn about fasteners, tools, lubricants, adhesives, and more. He or she will learn the same terminology that is used for aircraft components that is used throughout the aviation industry. The pilot of a radio-controlled model must learn how to properly taxi an airplane, execute a proper take-off, keep the aircraft under control during flight, and learn how to execute a smooth, well-controlled landing. If he or she chooses to do so, an RC pilot can learn to fly the same aerobatic maneuvers that are seen at air shows and competitions.
The young person who gets involved with flying radio-controlled model aircraft is establishing a solid foundation for a career in the aerospace industry. In Ohio, there is a statue of a young man sitting on a bench in front of a museum. The young man is holding a model airplane because of the role that model aviation played in his life. The club to which I belong (Sanford Aero Modelers, sanfordaeromodelers.com) has seen a number of people go from being students in school to adults with jobs in the aerospace industry. One is now an engineer with NASA, one is an engineer with a major defense contractor, and one is an “A&P” (airframe and powerplant mechanic)/maintenance supervisor with a major national airline. One of the projects a student can choose to tackle when becoming a senior in an engineering program at a local university is to design and build a radio-controlled model airplane. One member of SAM learned about the project specifications and he designed a plane that met the requirements. He built his plane in two days and his flew far better than any of the planes brought to the SAM flying field by the university students. At that time, this SAM member was 14 years old. And the name of that young man sitting on the bench in Ohio, and on the museum behind him, is Neil Armstrong.
And it must be said that a great many people around the world think that flying model airplanes is a heck of a lot of fun!
You are invited to contact SAM by using the link that is provided to get more information and ask any questions you have. You are also invited to visit our flying field located on highway 46 east of Sanford. You will find a friendly group of people flying their models almost every Saturday and Sunday morning.
At a time like this, when students throughout the United States are being encouraged to enter STEM fields, one incredible, and enjoyable, way to begin preparing for a career in a STEM field, especially in the aerospace industry, is to build and fly model aircraft. This “hobby” has been teaching STEM skills, and far more, for over 100 years!
For more information, contact us.