You are quite welcome sir. One thing though, if you go to a pattern contest just to watch, (and that's normal), you'll end up wishing you had entered before it's over. I promise you that much. You are going to be suprised how well you could probably do right off the bat. Especially if you start now and work heavily on your line control. Remember: ALL manuevers begin and end with a straight line. It's boring, it will surely draw jeers from the locals, but if you master that line and begin working HARD on rudder input and wings level, you're likely to be in the wood your first outing. But don't underestimate the power of a straight line, it's the root of everything.

Well I hope you don't get shipped out any time soon, Iraq sucks. And it's deadly as hell right now. Thanks for serving our great nation, I hope to meet you in a few months.

Oh and a slight clarification: I always say you need a 2 meter plane to really compete. I need to clarify that a little. Yes, a 2 meter plane really helps you a lot. Just do NOT make the mistake of confusing that thought with needing a $2000 composite eurokit. You don't, just a large, good design that is well trimmed and cranks when you want it to. It can be an arf, scratch built, wood, cardboard, whatever. You'd be suprised how competetive a pile of sticks can be. But being a full 2 meters long definitely helps, and you NEED power. The more the better. I just thought I'd clarify that, a lot of people think I mean you need a Partner or something...uh no. Absolutely not, just a large 2 meter plane. What it is specifically really doesn't matter, as long as you find your style and the plane matches it well. Some fly fast and large, some slow and constant speed (like me). The trick is to find a groove and work it. Make it look pretty no matter what it is and you will score well as long as the technical elements are in place. I like to groove slow and at the exact same speed like a smooth machine, and put the judges to sleep. When it works, it works well. When it doesn't....well.....

I strongly suggest getting a copy of the rules from AMA if you haven't already and study them. Study study study, learn what the downgrades are.

At any rate, enough out of me, I hope to see you next year, anything you need, advise, building tips, hooking up with people, whatever, let me know.

-Mike