The Joy of Model Building and Flying

Oh, it smells so good—the balsa wood has a really woody yet slightly sweet scent. Something that smells this good must fly well, too: the precisely cut ribs, the delicate stringers, the beautiful skin strips. And then there’s the plan—it’s just top-notch. When I compare this today to an ARF, RTF, or any other “-F” model… guys, you have no idea what you’ve been missing. The distinctive scent of a hard adhesive, compared to today’s epoxy stench; today’s rushed cobbling together versus the sensory joy of building back in the day. The scent of varnish wafting through every corner of the apartment versus today’s glued-together iron. But “progress”—the march of time—simply can’t be stopped. I, too, enjoy the all-FRP model, and yet I’m now building a balsa glider again just for fun. It’s not a Graupner model, and it doesn’t smell quite as good, either. But that’s not meant to be a judgment—just an observation.

Then, in early summer, in the pre-Alpine or Alpine terrain, the all-FRP gliders whiz down the slope, their flaps slightly extended; they catch every little updraft, and the glider soars upward. It’s really cool—all this modern technology with its perfect airfoils and sophisticated electronics. I enjoy it.

But now comes my very own personal highlight: With only a light breeze, I toss my old wooden glider over the edge of the slope. Almost as if by itself, the simple glider soars in the updraft—or thermal. Slight adjustments with the rudder are enough to keep the model nearby. The setup is very simple: rudder and elevator, plus four Eneloop cells at 2,000 mAh each, combined with a basic transmitter (without a display, of course...). Everything goes very smoothly, no stress—I can just daydream. For me, this is a break from everyday life; it’s where I can recharge. I need this kind of model flying every now and then.

Flying around with all the high-tech gear is also fun and a break from everyday life. But sitting out in nature and watching a glider find its way almost on its own—that, for me, is the true joy of flying.

And that’s the beauty of model flying: Everyone can—and should—find happiness in their own way. So comments like “What’s this beginner’s glider doing here?” and similar remarks are completely out of place, destructive, and offensive. And so I hope that every now and then I’ll still come across a kindred spirit in our magnificent mountain world and can enjoy the peaceful presence of the gliders together with him. Over a good glass of wine to wrap things up, it’s wonderful to philosophize. How simple it actually is to be happy? ■

*Dieter Voegelin*