Wait until you go to Rhinebeck Jamboree, Joe Nall, Warbirds Over Delaware or other sponsored events just to name a few. 200+ spectators and pilots showing up is probably the low count on a very bad day. I like small events because I do get nervous in large crowds- plus I don't like my planes sitting in the sun for a hour on the flightline waiting for a chance to fly.

Besides, have you ever seen what the sun can do to light plastic canopies and Ultracote? []

When I maiden a plane, I don't like too many people there at the field either. I'll bring my wife so she can film it, and usually phone ahead to my Club Secretary or Vice and they will usually standby, just incase something goes terribly wrong and I need to go to the hospital real fast.

All seriousness, I witnessed a guy who lost a finger and a good chunk of his hand with the prop and he went into shock and passed out. If it wasn't for a few people being there that knew what to do, I think he would have bled to death. It took us about 10 minutes to find his finger and get it on ice and get to the hospital so they could try to reconstruct the hand. Those are the kind of things you don't forget.

So it's advisable that if you fly glow or gas to always have someone around, and if you don't- please be extra careful. I just read a article in MA how electric planes can also mess up someones day as well. I guess it's best to have a arming switch on the plane and a rubber band to keep the throttle down on the TX.

Sorry I got off a little on the topic, It's one of my character defects.

Pete