Let me tell you all a good joke. It’s a little long but I trust it will serve as an eye opener for us – Aisa bhi hota hai!
About a fortnight ago, in a small city in India, one came across a newspaper article about an “Aeromodelling Competition” being organized by a quasi government college of Aeronautics. The highlight of the show / competition was that it was to be inaugurated by a senior politician / dignitary. He would be given a Tx and he would 'send a plane flying into the sky to inaugurate the show!' He would send it up? Without any aeromodelling or flying experience? Who would bring it down? Wow!!!
An enthusiastic aeromodeller called up the organizers of the show and put forward his queries. What came to light was nothing short of pure fantasy!
a. None of the organizers had ever done any aeromodelling – not even a basic chuck glider.
b. The organizers were backed by a team of “extremely knowledgeable expert Advisory Committee” from different bodies and corporates such as Administrative officials (Ground Crews) from Private Airlines, Administrative officials from the local airport, Professors from a reputed educational establishment, Government officials. The most wonderful thing about this eclectic assortment of gentry was that NONE OF THEM HAD ANY IDEA ABOUT WHAT AEROMODELLING WAS!
c. The above team would also be the judge and the jury for the competition. And NO, we don't need any help or advise from any aeromodellers to put up this show - we know everything!
d. Flying models and static models would be judged together in the same category! If your off the shelf Heli couldn’t fly because of your lack of expertise, you could still win the first prize as it was a “Good looking model with lovely colours!”
e. There were to be only 2 categories of competition – For Student flyers and for Expert flyers. Whichever category you wished to enter, you could take along with you a chuck glider or a Heli or a 8 Ch Nitro or Gas or Electric, or a Plastic model kit for static display – all would be judged together!
f. There would also be a “Paper Presentation Competition” about the future of Aeronautics and Aviation in the sector. I couldn’t figure out the connection.
g. The region, where this wonderful ‘competition’ was held has some good aeromodellers. None of them were invited to judge the show. They were specifically asked to enter as competitors ONLY. No self respecting modeller would pit his Hirobo or T Rex against a chuck glider being flown by a 10 year old.
h. To cut a long story short (I could go on and on and on) on the day of the ‘competition’, with much fanfare, the red ribbon was cut. The organizing body was hailed as path breakers who had heralded a new sport of aeromodelling into the region – thus opening up new avenues for increasing employment opportunities for the youth. Of course we all knew that Aeromodelling and Aeronautics are one and the same thing! 2 flyers landed up. One flew a gas Cessna and the other couldn’t fly his Heli. Somebody else flew it for him. This 40+ businessman went on to win a prize of Rs.5000/- and the next day the papers had him identified as a high school student!
All in all, it was a wonderful experience. A learning of sorts. As I mentioned at the outset, it was a good joke! >
Cheers!
VC
Any similarities or resemblances to any person or Organisation or corporate body is purely coincidental. (Just saving my ass here!)
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