Whoa! Big Fella! c/f, Slow down here. I was in Monterey and was without a computer. Please understand that as a Tamjets rep, I am not on payroll. Most reps in the industry start out as modelers and because of their exceptional skills at building/flying are invited by manufactures to help promote their products in return for a nominal discount on products. Remember, we are always modelers first and reps second. We spend our own hard earned money and time away from work & family to travel to jet events to fly our planes, assist other modelers, socialize with friends from different parts of the country, and otherwise have a great time doing the same thing that non-rep modelers do at an event. All of this is done without a single penny of reimbursement.

I am very fortunate that I earn a decent standard of living through my job and that I can participate in a great hobby like turbine r/c jets. However, having been on the "inside" during the last three years, I can tell you that the jet r/c industry is a very tough way to earn a living. The r/c jet market is very small and very competitive. Contrary to what many think, nobody is getting rich here. The turbine r/c market is living on a fine line. Continual pressures from a non-jet friendly AMA president, ever growning safety/fire liability concerns from non-friendly r/c clubs and flying sites, to competitive pricing pressure from overseas r/c companies, and it goes without saying that additional "bashing" on internet forums isn't make life any easier. As said before, the model jet community is very small where everybody knows everbody. Many of us who travel the country from jet meet to jet meet can attest that it is the "same thing, just a different location". And although the internet is a great forum to share information widely, the true work "in the trenches" is being done at the flying events, in-person and face to face. This is where product is promoted, sold, advised, etc., etc. Modelers can see with their own eyes what products work, which don't, and which ones are right for them.

Although I cannot comment without speculation on what the impact of "umplugging from RCU" will be on Tamjets, I can certainly understand Tam's decision. Tamjets had just completed a very successful promotional show at Florida Jets, which cost the company an enormous amount of money. To have all that time, money, and effort sabotaged by a few malicious individuals on the internet is a shame. If these individuals' intentions were anything but to solely try to defame an r/c company than they would make the effort to call Tamjets to get their r/c related question or concern answered. R/C jets are very technical and expensive machines, so I've always wondered why someone would leave to chance getting erroneous, unqualified, or hearsay information on these forums. Yes! these forums have been a great personal help to me and my hobby, but when it comes to putting a $10,000 jet in the air and the safety of the public is concerned, I have always confirmed this information by going straight to the manufacture direct.

In final, Tam has made a decision to no longer support RCU. As a Tamjets rep I am no longer authorized to use RCU on behalf of Tamjets. As a modeler, I will continue to use RCU on a non-rep basis in my other hobby endeavors, such as warbirds, electrics, and cars. All Tamjets questions should now be addressed directly at the Tamjets website or by phone.

Best wishes to all!