Joe,

Since I was the one that started that, I'll explain myself...You seem to be fair about your assessment of your flying. None of us have seen you fly. The reason we are stressing this is because people that judge sit right behind the pilot and another pilot is 100' down the runway. Normally two to four other pilots that judging and scribing sit behind the pilot flying. Like any AMA sanctioned contest safety is stressed.

You mentioned that you wanted more practice on landings in an earlier post and this got my attention...with out seeing you fly and a seemingly always possible 20 MPH crosswind, this could be a recipe for damaging your plane needlessly or having the plane end up in the pits. I'm sure many of us have seen this and you probably see it at your local field. None of us really know until we see you fly, so going back to my favorite phrase, just be honest with your assessment.

Landings are a judged maneuver...Always better to take the zero and go around than to force a landing and get a zero only to take the plane home in a bag...

Now for the upbeat side of things...Scott can certainly assess your skills and if he can call for you it really makes it easier on you with coaching you with stick inputs at the proper time to keep you calm during the round (judged flight).

I would say it is rare that folks solo and compete in the same year, but there are some that have done so successfully. You have done your homework and are probably more prepaired than most going to there first contest...

The reason for getting there early would be for Scott, if he can, to work with you and coach you so you don't panic during a flight...I'm normally a very cool customer and it takes alot to get me nervous...Flying in front of judges makes most nervous to some extent. Having confidents helps alot...For me on my forst contest round, my knees were knocking so bad I couldn't hold the transmitter still...

Please don't take it personal, we just want to make sure you know what to expect...and what is expected when you sign a piece of paper stating that you have flown the plane your competing with and can fly safely...

I'm sure you will be fine...Go and have fun...

For What It Worth...I have thought about bringing judges Hard Hats when I first started flying...Mostly joking around...I have made some judges nervous as well as the other pilots flying at the same time about 100' down the runway...I think I still do...LOL

Go to the contest and have fun...

LLD