More advice for the fire here.... Find a local that is really good with precision stuff. As in that, actually competes in IMAC, and is up in the ranks. Alot of the Sportsman and Intermediate guys are still learning things, like rudder corrections and etc.... The guys in Advanced and Unlimited are the ones you want to have help you. I started in Sportsman 4 years ago, and now I fly Unlimited here in the NC region. It's alot of fun flying with these folks here, and the friendship here in the NC is second to none!!! We are a big family here, too!!

I noticed that you are from Paducah?? I believe Jeff Williams is in Indiana, somewhere's around there..... When he comes out and flies, he does pretty good!! With practice, like you said, anyone can be a potential threat!!!

Think about attending the judging school the NC puts on each year in April. Meet everyone and have fun!!! My schedule is so hechtic, I cannot attend the school. But I do learn fast from others in my class. I ask help from everyone in making me a better pilot. It all just boils down to practice.

Quick story on the subect of practice.... Last year, I had just finished up my 35% 330S from Carden. Put 10 flights on it, dialing in and etc.... Ok, now lets look at the Advanced sequence. Ok, no problem!! I put in 50 flights of nothing but practice, and maybe at teh end of the flying day, I would treat myself to some 3D as a reward of practicing all day. I went to my first contest that year, Cincy AeroModelers. Start out in 4th, finish in 3rd. Go to the next contest, Peebles, OH. I win that contest, hands down!! I made the least amount of mistakes, I should say!! Now, at the Regional Finals contest, I started in the lead, and got thrown off my game. Thank you, who ever you were!!! I really appreciated that!! [:@] I had 150 point lead over 2nd place. Not solidly locked in for the win, but with a good unknown, and a solid known on Sunday, it would secure the win for me. Well, I totally blew my unknown, 3 zeros!! And we know how bad those suck!!! Now, I'm sitting in 2nd place, 250 or so back..... I try to get my game face back on, and re-coop from the unknown. I did, mostly. I missed out on the win by 70 points!!! The moral of my story there is be ICE COLD, when that engine starts up. Try not to think about the sequence, let your practice be your guide. Take your time, breathe, relax, and most importantly, BREATHE!!!!

Now, if I take my own advice, I could easily be up on the podium next year in Unlimited It's all about the practice......

Chris~