When Iwas younger [before Ideveloped gray mater} Iwas racing GP bikes. Iwon enough races that I was moved into the expert class. All that meant was Iwas winning money and I could make money from a sponcer or be paid to ride for different owners. Ithink the correct term should have been the PRO class, all it meant to me was I raced against better riders and got beat more often.
The four time winner Iwas talking about that called himself a PROand not an expert was named Chip, one very nice guy and willing to share tid bits he had learned over the years. If asked!!

Years of hands on experience! And we still cant know it all.

I was a "pert" once about 61 years ago, now I are an ex-pert!

I've been flying the 'beginner' level in pattern flying. I thought I've been doing pretty well until today when I tried two of the 'intermediate' maneuvers - this stuff is hard!

I think my point is the people who proclaim to be experts might be just that at the stuff they feel like flying. Throw them a curve ball, give them a different plane or a new maneuver and see what happens.

I never trust ANYONE who calls themselves an 'expert'.

Can't say I've seen anyone call them self an expert on the open forum, at least not that I can remember.  I've seen people classify them self as "expert" at something in their profile.  That's fine with me whether it's true or not.  Can't say it's worth getting your panties in a bunch about.

I thought that an EX is someone you CAN'T live with.

Cheers

I'm an expert at something, but not at RC.  There are not to many I would call an expert.

One such pilot is Dave Lockhart.  Any of you that know Dave know he IS and expert.  And a pretty humble guy for all his talent.  His Dad is pretty capable too!!!  (Hid Dad, Ron, was my instructor).

CGr.

Iwould bet money that Dave is not one of the guys who considers himself an expert. He absolutely is, 1000%, in my book. Brand new plane, brand new engine, maiden flight and rolling circles right off the bat 15 feet from the ground. And watching him fly pattern is mind boggling.

The Lockharts are a couple of outstanding men.

In control line precision aerobatics we have skill classes: beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert.  Beginner flies a simplified pattern.  The other three classes fly the same pattern, but at different levels of  competence. I'm a mid-level advanced flier and will never be any better.  I've judged all the classes and they break out pretty well.  Everyone in the world knows things that I don't know.  I have learned things from all levels of competence. 

Hi All,
  Just my $.02 worth. Flying on and off for 30 years. Designed and built a few of my own, from trainers to aerobatic planes. Built numerous kits an ARF's. Helped / trained people in this great sport, and maided other peoples planes for them. I still list myself as an intermediate. I don't do this as a living, just for fun. Never competed, even in fun flys. Knees still knock with maiden flights. Fly helis too. I just have more experience than some and less than others. Expert is just aTITLE to me. Will never know everything about this sport. Don't want to. I like to keep learning, otherwise it will get boring.
  NeArLy NoRmAl Al

I agree, I'm sure the're allot of people who consider themselves experts but I'm not one. Iv'e been building, flying teaching people to fly models since the 70's and RC Aircraft since 1983. I still consider myself an intermediate pilot, probably will never have the time to advance any further due to my Navy obligations (on deployment right now). Maybe someday when I retire. Hmnn.. Now to convince my wife!Steve.

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.

Some of you seem to be upset by those who have proclaimed themselves to be "experts". Can you point out the posts where they have done so in so many words? I've seen many where people have cited many years of experience and such as validation for the opinions but don't recall self-declared "experts". Maybe I missed those posts.
Actually - I have seen a couple of arrogant "experts" over the years in the forums who have been promptly discredited and driven underground but none that I can think of among the current members. Well, maybe one that will remain nameless.

Actually I was referring to a members piloting skills from Beginner to Expert in their Profile on here.

I should have madethat more clear onthe original post.

My piloting skills in my profile are currently listed as a "beginner" but if I bring my plane home today in one piece, I'm going to list myself as an "Expert" too!

I build and fly my airplanes to have fun. I know about my pre-check at home, preflight at the field, and the proper procedures for flying my aircraft safely. I have rebuilt crashed and mangled airplanes at the field for guys who exceeded their abilities at the expense of their aircraft. I once rebuilt a badly trashed trainer at the field in less than an hour, flew it and handed it back to the owner to everyone's amazement. I have taken an aircraft from the dumpster, repaired it, and gave it back to the owner with no fee asked for. I have literally landed an aircraft for a friend who could not land the aircraft, due to arising adverse weather conditions. I try to follow the rules as best I can. I help my buddies when they need it. I'm only a phone call away for someone who has a building or adjusting question. I offer suggestive criticism and advice when asked for it.I have been flying R/C aircraft for over 16 years. I have a lot of learned knowledge about aircraft. I can scratch build an aircraft without any instructions. Yes, it will fly great. However, I am in no way an expert.