It has an airframe made from balsa wood, the easiest wood to work with ... (woodwork).  The parts are prepared then assembled (fabrication). The airframe contains an engine, fuel source, maybe a piston engine, or electric. (engineering and energy conservation). If it is a modern type airframe if may have glass fibre or carbon fibre parts used (composite constructionskills).  Now we look at the radio controls which involve a radio transmitter, receiver, and the servos which make the model controls move. these are the same but smaller as the stuff used in industrial robotics and manufacturing. Finally after construction and testing, we make it fly and we ourselves must learn flying skills first, or at the same time.  Of course, nothing is trouble free, so we will sometimes bump or bash it somewhat, and it must be checked out and then repaired (investigative diagnostic maintenance skills ) so we can fly it again without future problems (self confidence and responsibility.

And that's just a model plane !  It is no coincidence that many of our aeromodeller customers join the air corps or become pilots in later life. They had an early start and good appreciation of what is involved.

Now if our model had been a car or helicopter it would have been made of metal and carbon parts (metalwork and composites). This provides an excellent grounding in engineering and structural construction skills, as well as learning how to drive and fly them.

Funny enough, it is not just young engineers and pilots who make models. We see many retired people qualified in these careers have the same hobby. They become instructors and teachers at the flying site who help the younger modellers out when they get stuck or hit a problem. .