Re: The Problems with Indoor FF
OK I'm going to throw my two cents in. First off one thing I notice is that all the posts are from active competitors. I'm going to give you some thoughts from a participant (wannabe competitor). I don't know exactly how I fell in to building indoor models but back when I lived in Arizona and I was just out of high school a couple of fellow named Terry Thorkldson and Herman Andresson showed me how to build and fly indoor models. This is when I was in my 20's. Before I left the west I actually built a TopCat with microfilm nichrome wire and rolled tailbooms, and all that stuff. This was a big deal and even bigger when I made the 10 min. mark in the hangers _at_ Litchfield AFB. I was hooked. Now almost 30 years later and having found a FF club in the South my love for building a flying indoor models has been rekindled except for a couple of thing. First is the fact that our club doesn't have access to many flying sites....so trying to build duration models seem useless to me because if I put in hours and hours of work on a model and have to wait , like right now....til winter to try it, doesn't make much sense to me. On the other hand, I feel honored to be sharing the same gym with people like Bill Gowen, Nick Ray, John Barker. I only wish I could fly more, to rub elbows and learn what they all know then turn around and use it in my own model building.. We recently had our Big annual indoor contest, and I was fortunate enough to win a mass launch with a Nocal.(I love these things) anyway one of the prizes was a custom A6 kit... there is only one by the way, and that person shall remain nameless because I don't have his permission to mention it. But because it was put together by him with his record setting design, that was what I wanted.Now, I'm saving it because if I immediately built it.... what would I do with it.. put it ion a box for the next 6 months. The fact that there isn't access to flying sites except 5 times a year kills my enthusiasm. I know that when I build this kit I will have a chance of being competitive, but what's the point. I am unable to travel to all corners of the US to fly like many do, so that kind of kills that option. As far as USIC goes. I attended a couple of years ago and was amazed at the whole experience. I did compete if you want to call it that. I did not find old farts there. I found many people that were friendly and helpful and willing to share what they knew with me. I felt though that I didn't have a chance or anywhere near a chance to do well comparatively with the regular attendees and that's one thing that has kept me from going back. I think Olbill brings up a good thought about a handicap system that would allow what I might call myself... a recreational competitor, to have somewhat of a chance to compete. I have enjoyed building ministicks that have flown well and some A6's that do OK. If only there was a place to fly regularly to practice,I might be making F1D's instead I build lots of Nocals and showing up at the USIC. I know this is a lot of rambling but it's coming from a ...for now, recreational indoor lover. I don't guess I really had a point. Just how I see it.
Thanks for reading!
Barry Sholder
678-363-9292
www.signandart.com
www.signandartblog.com
Received on Wed Jun 03 2009 - 16:41:30 CEST
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