I was invited to a breakfast-model plane yesterday morning. There were a few adults and a few kids. Just enough to make it easy to get some planes flying.
We flew some balsa and tissue Squirrels as well as a few prototype Foam Squirrels.
With this group of children I decided to try flying only rather than a build and fly session. I think this might be a great way of starting younger children.
They get a sense of what it is and may want to make them in the future.
I’m finally settled from visiting New York City for about a week.
The Maker Faire itself was an awesome success. I also was able to share the Squirrel project with thousands of people.
Dirk Swart at New York Maker Faire.
At the Maker Faire his booth was in the neighborhood. He needed to borrow some LEDs. By the time he got to me he had them so I gave him a Squirrel instead. 🙂
Caley Hand of Twentynine Palms, California, USA has been doing some very amazing things that deserve some mention!
Model airplane enthusiasts of the world take note!
She has been making Squirrel model planes with dependents of soldiers who are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. She has been working with many children aged 6-8 (a few as old as 11).
This is not only is important for advancement of model aviation but it’s an amazing gift for these children who miss their parents.
Caley single handedly perfected building techniques, procured materials and cut all the parts (nearly 1000) manually. She then deployed her workshop to lots of eager children!
She then made up an extra 15 models by hand to give out to workshop helpers’ children to show appreciation!
Caley, our hats are off to you!
Any donations received will be used to send parts and materials to Caley to support her efforts.
