The first time I walked onto an RC field I approached the first guy I saw and asked him how do I get in this sport. He told me go buy a plane and I'll teach. So the following week I showed up with my Avistar and we began. Every once in awhile he would yell " Gentle, gentle with the sticks" when I'd jerk the plane around and I thought to myself "geez this is like having my dad here to yell at me". Well since then he has become a good freind and mentor. We talk almost daily and he's always there when I need help with something. Last year I lost my father to cancer and having him around has softened the loss. His name is Bob and so is mine, club members have started to call me Bob Jr. I take that name with pride.