Aaron Shell
âThe hobby is a way to go full-send when I can't afford the expense and risk in real life.â
WHAT HORIZON HOBBY BRAND DO YOU ASSOCIATE YOURSELF WITH?
Horizon Hobby
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST ESSENTIAL THINGS YOU NEED FOR YOUR HOBBY?
A great place to fly, with reliable equipment and a community of friends to share the passion with.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO ENJOY YOUR HOBBY?
Pinehollow reservoir, where the Portland Sky Knights have been hosting the Northwest Seaplane Championships for over 30 years! Seaplanes, swimming, night flying, camping, and a full-blown fun fly contest over the water were my favorites when I was in high school, and it is still one of my favorite places to fly. It is my place of Zen to recharge for my summer vacation!
WHAT DOES THE HOBBY MEAN TO YOU?
The hobby is a way to go full-send when I can't afford the expense and risk in real life. It is a way to enjoy the magic of flight, which has always felt like a part of me. Whether it is a tiny electric indoor model, a 3D helicopter, a seaplane, or a jet, it's all about balance. I find I reach a sense of calm when I can be a master of this balancing act and fly anything that can be flown with grace and precision.
WHAT IS THE RC PRODUCT YOU CANNOT DO WITHOUT?
It would seem the radio of choice is the answer, for without it, there is no RC. I could enjoy freeflight, perhaps control line, but when it comes to RC, you MUST have a great radio system. For me, it is the Spektrum iX20.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT RC?
Sharing it with my son Zephyr. I am fortunate we both share a passion for flying RC, and he is more talented than I was at his age. He makes me want to fly more, build more, and teach the next generation about the satisfaction our hobby has to offer.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES? WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO?
Art Scholl, who was lost trying to film the Goose flat spin scene for the first Top Gun. He was a champion model airplane pilot in the 50s and then become a champion full-scale pilot flying his iconic Super Chipmunk. I love flying models of Art's Chipmunk! Maybe someday I'll name a dog Aileron as he did.
IF THERE IS ANY LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY ASPECT OF WHAT YOU DO, CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT THAT IS?
I love the freedom and magic of flight, but it bothers me we face a stark new reality when it comes to where and how we will be allowed to pursue our passions because of government regulations. It bothered me so much, in fact, that I spent some time building a car. I got a Subaru Impreza coupe with a blown engine and swapped it to a turbo drivetrain. It was healthy for me to explore new things and get to put my strength into some big hardware for a change, In the end, cars and coffee cannot hold a candle to an RC event! I have learned a lot, and I'm enjoying my build, but I have a passion for flying RC that will survive whatever hoops I have to jump through to pursue what is important to me.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RECENT RACES, COMPETITIONS, TOURNAMENTS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ETC., THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO MENTION?
Last summer, I won the Northwest Seaplane Championship, a title that I held about 20 years ago as well. My son won 3rd place at the event, and my entire family is looking forward to going back next summer!