Rogers 259-

I like most of the advice your getting here's one more tip.

Find someone (or more than one) in your area that already competes to "buddy up with". You'll learn a lot and you can both benefit from using one another as pit crew, caller, and roommates ($ savings) when traveling. You will also learn to know when your partner needs advice or traffic information and when to just "call" the next maneuver, and shut up. A second set of "trained eyes" during assembly or preflight can spot a potential problem and save an airplane from disaster too. Most of the competitors at the Scale Master/Top Gun level are willing to lend a hand to a "rookie" too, (until you start beating us anyway) don't be afraid to ask for more help.

Jump on in, the waters fine!

D. Hayes

(caller/pit crew for Mr. Top Gun '03- Jeff Foley)