I learned by myself as Jack stated earlier, but I started in electrics with the Firebird Commander. I moved to the Zagi XS which I later hopped up to brushless, which exposed me to "acceleration". Wouldn't you know it, I had to invest $400 in batteries just to be able to fly all day and even then I was pushing the quickcharger near the end of the day. Then I bought a used Dirty Birdy(Sturdy Bird) from WildWeasel and I haven't looked back since. Sure it was nice not having to clean the castor off the covering, but there's something to be said for noise and smoke too! I have to add that I had decided to take a year off of cabinet building/construction in order to decide what I wanted to do with the remainder of my days here on terra firma and this "free time" was all I needed. I was burning almost a gallon a day, until I met Jack and then the both of us were using a gallon plus/ day at times. What a riot! I don't recall one instance when I had called Jack and he didn't take me up on my invite to fly! Now that's a flying buddy! Having said that, I don't want to leave WildWeasel out of the picture either, he has a young family at home and wasn't as flexible, but he was there when I stepped into this hobby and he did witness my first flights. Jack and I have high hopes of getting him airborne this year. We're not taking "no" for an answer, are we Jack?
I had been gazing at RC magazines since I was a kid and when we traveled to any place that had a hobby store, I was transfixed! I watched, unblinking, whenever I saw someone flying RC and wouldn't you know it, it was WildWeasel's future father-in-law that I watched the most. (R.I.P. JS) I ordered the catalogs year after year and the idea was always in the back of mind. Then WildWeasel pulled up in his green Dodge and started chewing the fat as he waited for his girls to gather their things. That chance encounter would eventually bring me to where I am today...A Twistaholic through and through. Thanks Wild. My first Twist was also the second gas airplane I ever owned. It lasted for 10 flights (did you ever try to fly an airplane when the aileron servo switch is reversed? I couldn't!) It's mostly put back together as are two others, but that's another story.
So I've made two great friends and I've realized a childhood dream come true. Not bad, huh? So if I wax poetic from time to time know that after a full day of flying, Jack and I stand silent... sipping ice-cold Godiva and watch the sun set behind snow-covered cedars from which an owl calls to the approaching night. Peace.