“I have been flying model aircraft for more than 40 years. I started with small control line models, and once I became proficient with those, I moved into radio control flight in jr. high school. To me, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing something go from a box of sticks to a flying model. My youth experiences in aviation encouraged me to pursue a STEM education. I was able to pass along some of my passion to my daughter, who enjoyed competing in free flight contests for Science Olympiad, and this helped fuel her passion for science and education. She will start her college experience in a few months, and she will eventually become a high school science teacher. That is something our country needs more of. Complicating something as simple as learning to design, build and fly model aircraft with unnecessary and burdening regulations will stifle our children’s passion for aviation, and I truly believe our aeronautical industry will suffer as a result.”