Written by AMA staff (01/2001), Edited by Colin Stuart (2008-2009); Transcribed by JS (03/2008), updated by JS (01/2009), Reformatted by JS (02/2010)
Colin Stuart, who graduated Texas A&M University Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, was awarded a $5,000 Charles Hampson Grant scholarship. Colin currently works as an Equipment Engineer for Texas Instruments, where he manages operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting for photolithographic computer-chip production robots, helping to create the chips used in modern RC aircraft, as well as phones, cameras, computers, and cars. Colin writes, “Building and modifying model aircraft was an invaluable experience for me. It brought my family together; we would work on the planes in the kitchen. Building, modifying, and troubleshooting model aircraft taught me engineering practices and thought-processes that aren’t taught in school. I think the advent of ready-to-fly craft is an unfortunate trend; I probably had even more fun building the planes than I did flying them.”
Colin was a 2003 National Merit Scholar, and was the third-place finisher in the Voice of Democracy speech contest. He received the President’s Endowed Scholarship from Texas A&M. He was a finalist in the 1999 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee, finishing 52nd out of 248 in Washington DC, and received an award for Outstanding Engineering Project at the South Texas Regional Science Fair.
Colin was active in the Boy Scouts of America, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 2000. With the Scouts, he participated in blood drives, public hiking trail reconstruction, National Forest conservation, and beach cleanups. Through the Boy Scouts, Colin was a leader in Venture Crew 78, an organization with activities that included book drives, historic building restoration, camp facilities improvement, community services, and fundraisers, along with high-adventure activities such as rock climbing, snow-skiing, off-roading, and kayaking.
Colin participated in Young Life, a church youth group, and did volunteer work with the Northgate Christian Fellowship.
A four-year 4-H participant, Colin raised show lambs and volunteered as a guide for livestock shows, ushering schoolchildren through exhibits. His other community activities included working as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and tutoring math and grammar at a Boys and Girls Club.
Athletically, Colin enjoys racquetball, mountain biking, snow skiing, and water sports.
Part-time employment included working as a caterer’s assistant at a wedding facility in California and as a waiter at Perry’s Grill and Steakhouse in Friendswood, Texas. Colin described his entry into aeromodeling by writing, “I first got into RC aircraft because a friend of mine was very much into it. He had about 20 planes!”
In 1998, he received a Goldberg Eagle II kit for Christmas. Buying his own radio and engine, Colin built the trainer and after improving his skills, used a buddy box to teach his father and brother to fly. The three continued to build and fly. Other aircraft include a Tiger II, a Great Planes Giles F-202, a Sig Somethin’ Extra, and a Great Planes Extra 300. “I did a wonderful Texas flag scheme on the wings,” Colin wrote, “and I really enjoy flying this plane.” Colin has shared most of his aeromodeling experience with his family. He wrote, “Most of my modeling experience I have shared with my family. We work on projects together and have just as much fun building planes as flying them. Modeling has brought my family closer together and provided me with years of enjoyment.”
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