It's not my award, and I really have no position, other than one: I don't think someone should be able to straight out "buy" this award. How to avoid this or even if it matters isn't up to me at all, I don't want to exclude anyone. Ever seen what some people can do with an ARF? I can tell you, it's on the same level with some of the scratch builts I've seen, so that wasn't my main point. Just because someone doesn't actually build the model itself doesn't mean his time and energy going into the details shouldn't be considered. Because if he can do more with the inside of an airplane than I can, that SHOULD be considered.

But....what if you just paid a professional builder even overseas to turn key your plane with this specific intent? What if you had really deep pockets and money was no object? My question, in the form of a question, (Alex?), is should THAT be considered?

I could care less personally, because if I'm building a plane specifically for this event/award (wait until next season), I'm going to make sure no matter how deep someone else's pockets are, I can give them a run for thier money.

But what we had last year in the first place and runner up was 2 entirely different situations. My plane for instance, was concieved, built, and totally made from scratch by me only. I had no idea this prize even existed at the time, or I would have spent more time on the details. I just needed planes. The runner up plane was professionally built in Japan, and chosen by Sean. Yeah it was an awesome plane!!! Yet I read the report in Fly RC, and maybe I read it wrong, but it looks almost apologetic to Sean that his plane didn't win. So, it's confusing. At least to me. I can only guess that the decision was made based on the overall big picture? Maybe?

And even after reading the clarification, I'm still utterly confoozed.

I hope any of that makes sense?

-Mike