NEWS From Abroad

Working with global distributors like I do, I have the great opportunity of seeing what is happening with our hobby, the directions that it is going in and new products that will be coming out.

I also get to see the downsides too. With the economic meltdown that is affecting us globally, it too is having a significant effect on hobby. More directly.. our manufacturers.

Asia is shedding jobs at an alarming rate. Factories (of all types) are closing down. Hundreds of thousands of people are unemployed. In regards to our RC hobby, it is being reported that over half of the manufacturers that once made our aircraft, parts and accessories are gone.

That's right... gone... busted... closed for good. And the bloodletting is still happening now. Some reports state that 3/4 of our hobby suppliers (this includes manufacturers, distributors and trading companies) may be gone in January/February.

Overall, in the short term, this will mean less choice for us, less selection, and perhaps some higher pricing.

In the long term, I feel that this event will be seen as a good shakeout that was a long time coming for our hobby. The cheap manufacturers of substandard products will be gone and give those who do survive and provide decent products at a decent price, with decent service, a bigger footprint of influence.

We do live in an interesting time for our hobby!