Welcome to Torrey Pines GullsIan Hirschsohn – Co-Modeler of the Year – 2001
Ian HIrschsohn was a special TPG member who took pride in educating others, especially youngsters, about the joys of RC soaring. In 2000-2001, Ian became involved with Torrey Pines High School, mentoring students with RC gliders and also through the annual Science Olympiad program.
For those of you who are not familiar, Science Olympiad is an annual science competition across high schools in the USA challenging kids to solve specific tasks on their own, generally through hands-on projects. Founded in 1984, the Science Olympiad continues to the present (https://www.soinc.org/) and often includes free flight rubber band or glider contests with specific wingspan and/or weight requirements. Having a mentor like Ian to help a team avoid pitfalls is generally key to success, and makes the project fun. In the February 2001 issue of Gull Wings, Ian wrote “From my experience any kid that is willing to apply himself or herself (there are as many she’s as he’s) can win the event, it is not a test of aptitude or innate skill. The rules of each event are published and available months beforehand. The bottom line is that it introduces the kids to scientific principles in a pleasurably challenging way. The reason I have been a coach for Science Olympiad for the last 6 years is that many of the students I have instructed have gone on to MIT, etc.”
In June of 2001, Ian helped arrange for a visit of the TPG to Torrey Pines Elementary school for an on-site demonstration of thermalling via hi-start and a good assortment of different types of aircraft for static display. This was a part of the school’s “Science Discovery Day.” The kids were pleased and later wrote thank you letters to the club that were published in the August 2001 issue of Gull Wings. For instance, student Zach Jones wrote “Dear glider enthusiasts, I had a lot of fun in being a part of your glider class. It was my first time being able to be the pilot of a real glider plane. I have seen other people building and fly glider planes. I was jealous and wanted to try to fly one and you made my wish come true. Thank you. Sincerely, Zach Jones.”
Ian also began holding a TPG training program on Tuesday nights at Discount Hobby Warehouse to help newbies learn how to properly set up aircraft, and assisted in flying instruction at Torrey Pines on Friday afternoons. Jerry Craft (the other co-modeler of the year for 2001) assisted in these efforts. By December 2001, several new TPGers were finishing off their EPP Highlander kits, ready to test fly them at Torrey and continue as new members.
In addition to all of this activity, Ian served as TPG slope coordinator in 2001. In 2002 he became TPG “training coordinator.” Because of his sustained efforts on behalf of TPG and the local community to raise awareness and interest in RC gliding and new members for TPG, the club honored him with the 2001 Modeler of the Year trophy.