Hello David,

It is so interesting how many times I have read comments on magazine like Jet Power that I have paid big $$ for skygate to build my hawk or reading your comment since I am the only person that SG built him a model for NI. I do recognize that you are one of the known people in this hobby and I do have great respect for your contribution to it through many articles that I read. This is why I bothered myself to post this reply and I hope it will clarify things for you and whoever might have question about it.

Just for clarification:

1- In my participation application to the NI organizers, I clearly mentioned that Andreas built my hawk and it was printed in the event booklet. So there is nothing that I tried to hide.

2- Didn't you recognize how many participants have their builders with them?? Do you want to tell me that those builders are not as good as skygate or they charge less??

3- Did I or they violate the rule of the IJMC? Actually I should be apprised for being smart about it ( I don’t think that I paid more than many participants or beyond what many can afford. Mr. Avond asked me for the cost and he said it is much cheaper than what he will be charging!!)

4- Did I participate in individual and claimed that I built my model?

Just for the record skygate built 2 identical hawks for me. I don't know why it bothers people that I have great looking planes. Do you want to tell me that I paid more than other participants who were their in the competition?? Do I need to bring a skymaster hawk to please people??

I think I have respected and followed the rules which in my opinion differentiated between pros who built their model ( or claimed they built their models) and open class where clearly mentioned that the pilot didn't build his model.

When I attended the last competition I enjoyed meting many great men who I value more than my models. That is what it counts and should be recognized as the 1st objective for the ijmc meetings. I can’t tell you how much I value meeting people like Mr.Burns for example. But unfortunately I also realized many people were not happy for a reason or the other. I actually believe I was one of the reasons why the IJMC have made several changes to its rules which makes me feel good that I as a member contributed something to my organization ;-).

Hope to see you soon so we would have the chance to exchange our views and build abetter understanding about each other.

Eid Al Shamri
Saudi Jet Team