To the new guys, I would suggest that you don't get hung up on titles.

This hobby isn't competitive unless youmake it. So take your own path and don't worry about fitting into the herd or ranking yourself.

There are lots of interests and specialties in this hobby. From scale, to soaring, to aerobatics, to pattern , to combat, and etc. You can focus on one aspect and become what you call an "expert" in that focused specialty. Or you dabble in all, or rotate through during your lifetime.Fortunately, flying RC is like snow skiing, you don't have to be great to enjoy yourself. You don't have to be the best on the mountain. ITs OK to look at others and appreciate their skill level. But we aren't here to feel badly about ourselves because we don't measure up to their level. We are here to have fun.

So, if it bothers you that somewhere someone is called an expert, then just put that out of your mind. Its not important. Take your own path, at your own speed, and don't worry about other people.