Guys, ( I'm still here ).......the problem is actually much more fundamental than other platforms and other social media. On the subject of social media, I too HATE most forms of supposedly 'social' media. In my experience and in my job (Headteacher) , I see more than enough vacuous garbage. People can say pretty much anything they like about stuff that is only relevant and of interest to them. They think other people care and are interested in what they post but most people are just looking for a bit of gossip or somebody to pick a fight with.
HA was different......in its hay day it was about a country wide group of model flyers all talking about stuff that we shared a common interest in. What has changed? ....the whole hobby has changed completely. What people are flying is dramatically different. At the top end, Jets are everywhere for the elite few but you now can't buy a 50cc aerobatic plane for love nor money. Foam is everywhere as is electric ARTFs. Prices have shot through the roof and there are fewer and fewer people who have the DNA of model flying (or building) running through them. People are getting older and younger ones are not seeing the hobby as attractive. I'm in my mid 50's and even I get that! I look around at LMA events now and wonder what on earth am I doing here amongst all these old gits with their baggy tracky bottoms and plastic crocs on their feet! It's not an attractive option for post millennium young dudes. Even the aerobatic and freestyle scene has evaporated largely. There is still a small core here and there but nothing like what it used to be.
I have a DLE 55 that has been sitting in my building room for over a year because I can't find a 50cc model to put it in! I don't know why Pilot did away with the 88" span 50-55cc size models and went to the 92" versions instead. A 55 in those isn't enough and they are now about £800 for a 50-60 size machine and over a grand for a 100-120 size.
Basically the hobby is knackered unless something changes pretty quickly. Otherwise we will all be flying more bits of electrified moulded foam about. ....some of that is ok, but there is a limit to the line of progression from there.
Nobody seems to have anything interesting to say on here anymore. No new models or radio discussions. I'm only writing this now cause I'm bored and no football on the telly!
