Dutch,

You're absolutely right.......the T_ _ _ T loves the wind and besides who doesn't like to watch their planes fly backwards? But Dutch,............what's this "having my bud maiden her for me" business? That's the biggest rush in flying .... taking off on that first flight and being willing to accept all the blame if things go terribly wrong! The level of adrenaline one experiences is punch-in-the-gut, knee-buckling ecstasy! As a bystander I get more out of watching the facial expressions and body contortions of the poor schmuck that hasn't quite "let go" of the model he's about to crash then watching him fly. He's usually the one that wipes his plane down BEFORE he flies it (or attempts too, anyway). I pay particular attention to the guy that brings all his gear to the field and sets it up only to sit there and try to develop his "nerve" through osmosis, telekinesis or some shwit like that and then packs it up and leaves......when he finally shows up with enough "nerve"you're usually guaranteed a show. And one surely doesn't want to dull the sensation with alcohol (that's for later.....heh,heh,heh). So buddy, step up to the plate, with sweaty palms, your stomach in your mouth, weak knees, and trembling thumbs and know what "feeling alive" is all about. Take a few of your closest friends along too so that they may learn from your mistakes when you crash and have their important questions answered such as......"How much did you say that plane cost?" "After planting all that balsa, how long till the leaves appear?" "How many years did it take you to fly like that?" I'm looking forward to that video of your successful maiden..........with you at the sticks.

I flew again last night in dead calm. I went to this field were I fly often and during my second flight I heard voices behind me. I brought the plane to a safe height and looked behind me.........where I saw four women and all their children walking toward me.......on the runway.........all spread out. Well, I'm almost out of fuel and this field is surrounded by trees so I had to come in quick or ditch it before I was surrounded. I harriered it down in a hurry and ended up bending the gear, but down and shut off anyway! What is it with people? Doesn't a 2-stroke and prop make enough noise to sound intimidating? How come people don't approach a lawnmower or weedwhacker with such fearlessness? My wife never took my children to a hornets nest and said....."Let's see how close we can get." Note to self........find someone else that enjoys this hobby and can act as a spotter when my head is in the clouds. If this is any indicator of how the year is going to be, I think my alcohol consumption will surpass my plane's.

Peace,

Downtrodden