Drav8r

Welcome to scale competition. I too am new to competition. Iwill relate my tale of how it worked for me. First off I was very lucky to live near Dave Johnson. We met a couple of years ago and he has been mentoring me along for the past three years or so. We started out by doing a group (of 2) build of one of his designs. All along the way he gave me advice on building and getting ready for competition. A golden nuget of Dave's is to pick a three view and dont look at any others. There are little differences in drawings that will drive you insane. He was right and has to remind me from time to time not to look at other three views.

Well Iam a slow builder so my plane was not ready for competition by the time Ihad hoped. Knowing this Dave recruited me to call for him at a couple of contests. This experience was huge. Igot to see how the contest worked, meet the people, and be involved all without being terribly nervious. Iwas nervous calling for Dave but not as bad as if I were flying.

Last summer my plane was finally finished but there was no time to practice with it in time for the contest season. So Dave flew team scale for me and hooked me up with other team scale pilots. Idid ok last summer as the builder half of a team scale entry in both AMAnats and Scalemasters. And Idrew a little bit closer to flying myself. At the end of the season last summer Dave informed me that the group was tired of carrying me and I would have to fly this season myself. Fair enough. (Dave was only half kidding) So out of the nest Iwent. Iflew indoor in the E-fest scale event last month and brother was Inervous. Ishook so much my figure 8 looked more like a treble clef than an 8. But Iwas blooded.

So what is the point of this. Iguess there isnt one. Ijust thought relating my experience would be helpful in some way. Icant say enough about the guys I met through scale flying (well building). I have been very lucky to have Dave as a scale mentor. He is also now a close friend. Ithink having a mentor has been the single biggest advantage Ihave had. I highly recommend it.

Oh and when you are done flying WWII models you can "move up"to WWI

Best Regards,
Dave Semeraro