Farewell, aeromodelling!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Hey aeromodellers ! This is going to be my final post in this blog, so hopefully more people will visit this blog and read this post.
Alright, I know I am going to ROD tomorrow, but I have these "last words"/encouragement for all of you. Let me first talk about my cadet life and how it was like for me.
NCC Air was my 2nd choice for CCA and I was one of the last cadet to step into Alpha life, together with MSG Hui Min. I clearly remember those days when we had to fall in at the foyer every Friday and how much I used to dread it. Standing for around 20mins every Friday for flag raising did not appeal to me at all. I also remember my affirmation ceremony was in the AVA room and I still keep the little booklet for that year. It still has my signature on it and dated 2007. I wasn't a very outstanding cadet throughout my years and I even had the intention to give up this CCA at one point in time. But I persevered on and found these other 21 platoonmates who went through thick and thin with me. It all seemed like yesterday. But 3 years have passed and I will be walking through the door out of NCC. I was also very fickle-minded with my elective, whether I wanted PDS or Aeromodelling. It was a very difficult decision for me to make then because I wanted to be more "manly" from PDS while I also like to "slack" in aeromodelling. This is a misconception of the electives. Whether you are in Aeromodelling or PDS, it is the SAME. It is how much you love your elective and partly how the elective in-charge makes in fun for you all. It is true that PDS is more physically demanding than Aeromodelling, but Aeromodelling has its level of difficulty too (Theory, flying etc.)
I always tell your Sgt Choon Kian how time flies and I still vividly remember how we flew the fms simulator in the computer lab last time. And we'd always "show off" stunts and see who can perform better ones. And I'd always end up showing Inverted Flight. I was selected to go for the Aeromodelling Instructor Course in 2008 (last time only got LC) and i graduated and since helped out for aeromodelling. I flew for Air Competition in 2008, although I did not win. (Last time still noob :x)
That was just a portion of my cadet life, but I can remember these more clearly for I-don't-know what reason. Here is my encouragement to all of you.
For those of you who are reading this, don't give up on this CCA because I don't regret walking down this path. Yes, there will be times where you might feel like giving up because of various reasons, but why not just grit your teeth and hang in there? Just keep the NCC song close to your heart and it will serve as a motivation for you. (Go listen to the lyrics). Also, if you want to achieve your desired post, aim for it and work on it. (Especially applies to Posting Camp). Your efforts will be recognised. I also hope that you all will enjoy and love aeromodelling as much as I do and did. Some of you all have been asking me about how I picked up kite flying and how did I manage to go for the Pearce Airbase attachment last year. These are my answers:
1) Kite flying: I only picked up kite flying in mid December 2009 to fly for CCA Open House 2010. Btw, this kite flying is a hobby that I enjoy and not a tool that I use to "attract attention".
2) Pearce Airbase attachment: If you want to know how to go for this course, go and read up on my "Pearce Airbase Attachment 2009" post below. It is mentioned at the last portion. Hope to see aeromodellers in Pearce Airbase Attachment this year. Continue this tradition :D
To my aeromodelling successor Leslie, here is a challenge for you. I am challenging you to beat this :
I am NOT saying that you cannot do it, this is my challenge to you as the next Aero IC. Work hard for it and all the best! (Remember what position you said you could achieve? Work hard towards it!)
This is the kite flying section from the Affirmation Ceremony 2010. Video taken by Sgt Syazwan. Enjoy!
Okay, that is all I have for you all. I hope that you guys have enjoyed aeromodelling trainings with me and hopefully learnt from them. I have enjoyed these trainings with you all too! Bring glory to aeromodelling and take it to greater heights! GO AEROMODELLING!!!
1SG Loh Yin Onn
Aeromodelling IC (2009-2010)
