I have the benefit of going to trade conventions on a semiregular basis. I go for many reasons, including those that help me find evidence of trends developing in the hobby. Last fall I was in Chicago at the iHobby Expo, and what I saw wasn't just a trend—put more accurately, it was a full-blown outbreak. I never said the word "cool" so many times in my entire life.

     Jets were everywhere, but they weren't the traditional high-end large turbine models; they were smaller foam park flyer-size models that were appealing to me, because the possibility of owning one that would fit my budget was much more likely. The rise in popularity of these models was certainly due mostly to the popularity of the brushless motor and Lithium battery technology.

     However, motors and batteries can't all make a model fly well. They have to be the right weight and engineered to fly in a predictable manner. Building small electric models from foam appears to be a blessing, as the construction process, be it molded or sheet constructed, offers the highest power-to-weight ratio.

     Whether a modeler wants to buy one from modeled parts or cutout sheet foam, everything from the Messerschmitt to the Millennium Falcon can be made to fly as a jet model. Say it with me: "Cool!"

     Over my desk are two jets; both are electric and came my way because they were recently released as RTF models. They're inexpensive and even though I've had almost no practical exposure to jets, or the trials and tribulations most jet modelers fought with in the past, I'm having a fantastic jet experience.

     I wasn't alone in this discovery. Curtis Mattikow shared the same experience and went forward to try out not one, but more than a half dozen currently available all-foam jets. Like me, he had nothing but happy thoughts to share.

     In the time it took us to decide what jets to write about in the article he coined "Jetification," the number of jets in the same class nearly tripled. Obviously the fun we were having wasn't a fleeting trend; others were being "Jetified" as well.

     If you've been intimidated by the thought of flying a jet, check out the "Instant Jetification" article to see what we found. Getting into jets has never been easier.

     Speaking of easy, not long ago, when turbines just started coming out, there was still a whole lot of learning going on. Today, the turbine power plant is smart and easier to run than ever. The price point might still be a big hill to climb for some—myself included—but now I'm a lot more at ease with the system after reading "Turbine Modeling Made Easy."

     Actually we didn't make it easy, but this thorough article explains all the parts in simple terms that maintain the respect but take the fear out of this type of power system. In fact, I'm now even thinking about a future project.

     The JetMach 60 from Laser Design Services (LDS) is a project that puts the "can-do" in a first turbine experience. When we received the kit, the smell of balsa brought a smile and thoughts of pleasant evenings creating a high-performance aircraft. The builder had the model framed up in no time and has since logged many flight hours on it.

     Better news still is that LDS is coming out with variations on the successful high-wing model and has not only expanded the line, but offers custom design services to customers who are seeking something different. Do I have to say the word again?

     My father taught me much of what I know about model building. He could make a 25-size model do more in the sky with just a .15 glow engine than many could with a 40-size model powered by a SuperTigre .61. His minimalist attitudes made sense and often led to the discovery of practical solutions to complex projects.

     His practice helped me find my own way to make learning fun and rewarding. Apparently his lessons continue, as you'll see in these pages, as he teaches us how a multiton airliner can be made into a 13-ounce RC experience that's not only relaxing, but is totally cool. MA