Can aviation still attract young enthusiasts?

Alan, Unfortunately, what you say is very true, I think kids should get into airshows free of charge, that may help them to gain an interest, as you say not everyone can afford to take the whole family out for the day, not in this day and age.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Children are inspired by seeing and hearing real aircraft.

On the military side: If their parents can’t afford to take them to any of the mega expensive airshows, or be lucky
enough to live close to one of the very few active air bases, they are unlikely to see any military aircraft flying at all.
As good as museums are, there is a generation who will never have witnessed a Lightning take off, or a Vulcan doing
a touch and go.

My little boy (3 in a few weeks) has already been on visits to many stately homes and other historic sites and as his interest in technology grows we’ll start taking him to museums and exhibitions such as Beaulieu, AAC museum Middle Wallop, RAFM Hendon and Bovington tank museum although the last 3 in this list will probably be without Mrs 840!

I agree with the idea that we had better childhoods because we didn’t have computer games etc . We had to go out and use our imaginations BUT had computers etc have been around in our time would we still think the same?.

Gary, I do agree somewhat with what you say, I served as an Apprentice in Engineering,but never lay a hand on a computer until I was just over 60yrs old, and I taught myself, and can get most problems sorted myself. I have worked on most of the cars I have owned, but agree that todays modern cars are impossible to work with unless you have a fault finder diagnostic machine, and the code reader. Having said that, My son, when he visited a few months ago, needed new brake pads for his car, front and rear, and was going to take his car to a garage. We went to a car spares shop, purchased the pads, and I put them in for him. A job, I am sure most of us, ((Our age) could do easily. There seems to be no interest in being “Hands on” these days with the younger generation.I am sure that we all learn more after we leave school, that what we do when we were at school.

Jim.
Lincoln .7

I agree Chas, however, he does his homework first on school days and is top of his class :eagerness: but I do think he spends too much time on his “Toys”, We didn’t have those in our younger days, and had to make up our own entertainment. Most kids these days couldn’t change the spark plug in a Lawnmower.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

I agree with the idea that we had better childhoods because we didn’t have computer games etc . We had to go out and use our imaginations BUT had computers etc have been around in our time would we still think the same?.
These are really the first generation of school leavers to have had reasonably good software and computers to run it throughout their childhoods.They know no different and their lives [working or otherwise] will be mostly computer based.
Even mechanics have to be computer literate to get the black boxes on cars to talk to them,the days of just wielding a spanner are going.

Some regions are even active on the engineering front with events such as this one – no not plugging NAM this time.

However I may be delivering a Principles of Flight session as part of the weekend’s activities!! :eagerness:

I agree Chas, however, he does his homework first on school days and is top of his class :eagerness: but I do think he spends too much time on his “Toys”, We didn’t have those in our younger days, and had to make up our own entertainment. Most kids these days couldn’t change the spark plug in a Lawnmower.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Absolutely right, Linc, and I hadn’t meant to be personally critical – my remark was intended to be general. But you are right, it is getting the balance right and it will be different for every child, of course. It’s probably good enough if parents are aware – sadly so many are not and don’t care. A propos your last remark do you try to instill in him some of those basic engineering skills or is it a lost cause….??:)

Inspire them through school visits!

You have an uncanny way Howard of plugging N.A.M. Keep it up, will soon be up for my free cuppa.:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Lack of parental control over the amount of game playing is a disaster, that cannot be easily cured. My grandson’s iTouch and Play Station use is limited, allowing him to enjoy and benefit from everything else he does.

I agree Chas, however, he does his homework first on school days and is top of his class :eagerness: but I do think he spends too much time on his “Toys”, We didn’t have those in our younger days, and had to make up our own entertainment. Most kids these days couldn’t change the spark plug in a Lawnmower.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Inspire them through school visits!

Lack of parental control over the amount of game playing is a disaster, that cannot be easily cured. My grandson’s iTouch and Play Station use is limited, allowing him to enjoy and benefit from everything else he does.

I see your grandsons problem. I’m sure he should be ashamed of himself for not stopping his video games. Video games shouldn’t been maken in the 1st place. Now kids are getting overweight buy video games. Long ago in the calm days we’ve only played those arcade games. Member those days? Sure there pretty fun to remember. I remember the PACman game. But without video games, it would’ve been the best place overall with out that damn technology like Xbox, Playstation. My cousin hates looking at other kids pretending to be cool. He says that they should be ashamed of what there doing. My cousin says video games are boring he only plays it when his friends are at his place. He is always on the book of Aircraft learning about planes. That’s what makes me proud of him. I’m sure he’ll follow his dreams as a Naval Pilot.

I think we can blame modern technology for the lack of youngsters interest in aircraft these days, the reason being Xboxes, Playstations etc. One of my Grandsons spends nearly every waking hour playing games, and need not even leave his bedroom to talk to his friends.whilst playing.

I remember seeing the Brabazon one day flying overhead in Peterborough, that will remain in my head until my dying day, it left such an overwhelming sight in my mind, nowadays, all I see over my house is the modern jets, which no longer inspire me, such as the Golden Oldies.
Happy days, sadly, long since gone.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Yes sometimes it can attract kids. Infact, kids are mostly into the sports kind of thing today. My 11 year old cousin LOVES aviation like literly he loves many military aircraft like the Super Hornet, F-16, F-22, F-35 and many more planes. He told me that he wants to be a pilot in the Navy flying the F/A-18E/F which amazes me what he wants to be when he’s all grown up. I just can’t belive that long ago kids were kids, but today kids are sporty and they dress all stupid with their caps and saggy pants REALLY? This social world world is turning into some nonsense I can’t belive what the world is turning into today. I really hate seeing kids with their sporting clothes and hats thinking that their cool. What are the parents thinking? Sure kids are sporty but it’s very disappointing and unacceptable how kids are dressing and look at bad stuff and swear in front of people. But anyways aviation will and always attract kids when and whenever they want to be interested in it.

Sincerely,
F-18Growler

When we were children we used to make plastic model aircraft by the score-how many do now? not many i guess.

Not much which is perhaps why those enthusiastic youngsters look back rather than forwards. Having said that compare the Historic and MM forums here. Maybe they represent a microcosm of interest across the years. If so my original suggestion might be flawed.