Well............

This year certainly had it's share of up's and downs, more down's than up's though unfortunately. During the course of this year I've learned a lot, mostly more paitence!

First I put a newly rebuilt RAM750 into my skymaster Gripen, it wouldn't start, ECU problem so off to electro dynamics with the ECU.

Then I had a rough grass fiend collapse the nose gear on my exocet on it's first flight of the year and proceed to tear the nose off. Rebuild mode........

So I get my ECU back and the engine runs.

Weather does NOT co-operate and the more things that go wrong the more afraid to test fly the jet I am. The Red Deer jet rally would solve that, or so I thought.

Red Deer jet rally. The new RAM blew the rear bearing on the first run at the event. So I put my other Ram into it. Well, it wouldn't run, changed a bunch of things, finally it ran. Finally........... Then the turbine wheel came apart.

So, I get the bearings in the first RAM replaced. Drive 12 hours to Princeton for Dean's jet rally. Engine won't start at all, no CP.......

However, Dean did let me fly his Kingcat 3 times, so at least I got to fly!!!!

Then, I made the trip to Superman, no airplane, which was cool, at least I got to go to the big event, but with nothing to fly, it got a little boring.

So, that was my year in jets this year.

HOWEVER:

I was ready to quit altogether, but I decided to do something different........

Instead, I decided that I have invested a huge amount of time into a hobby I love, so quitting wasn't really an option.

I bought a new AMT280SP
and as of this weekend have a Composite Super Bandit on the way here.

Next year, I'll be ready

You forgot to mention your biggest mistake of the year...

You passed on that Tower 40 trainer.

at least I'd have gotten some flying with a tower 40 trainer LOL

Jeremy, that was my experaince and a lot of others experiance with rams. Get a P-120. You only need one jet that can handle 10 or more flights a day.

Just make the switch, and move on. 120's run forever and then some.

I agree, I had 135 flights on my first P-120 with out one problem. Sent it in at 23 hours for 25 hour maintence and less than 250 dollars later and three days and it is good to go for another 100+ flights!

Well, hopefully my AMT gives me the same reliability that the P120's have you guys Can't go and buy another new engine. One thing that blew me away at superman was the AMT throttle response

Hi Jeremy,
Glad to see that you have decided to stay with us! You will love the Composite Super Bandit kit. I bought one awhile back and it is almost complete except for paint-the paint wont happen til spring time. Am still enjoying the King Cat and we have been getting out every week at Shelton. Tomorrow is the day again and we expect four or five guys. I did not realize you were having such bad luck with your RAMS. I have a1000x in my Bob Cat that has over 100 runs on it- in fact it has never been out of the airplane and still runs great. Good luck with the Bandit.
Al Watson

Al, you could always help me fund my bandit project by sending yours up here for a kick ass custom paint job LOL

Hi Jeremy,
If you lived around the corner we might be able to work out some kind of deal-I sure like the work that you do! When I put the King Cat together I stole all the servos I had purchased for the Bandit so now I have a major purchase coming up. Looks like I am going to have to paint this one myself.
Al Watson