[Eury]

Give some real thought before pursuing a sponsorship or affiliation with a company. I've been there, and got out because it took the fun out of the hobby for me. When you are sponsored you are expected to to always represent that company. If you are online, at the field, at a competition, or just talking at the LHS, you are representing them, and if you don't have something nice to say about the product, either come up with a way to spin it into a positive or don't say anything at all. If you are at a flyin or competition, and have 2 planes, one from your sponsor, and one from some other company, you need to fly the sponsor's one.

To me, it limits your choices. I walked just because I didn't have to have discounts or free stuff (I was able to come up with the cash prior, I'll be able to do it after), and it's a lot more fun to be able to do your own thing. I still help people out with their stuff, just like I did prior, but now I can do it without any kind of marketing slant. Basically, being a rep for a manufacturer took a lot of the fun out of the hobby for me, yes it was cool to have stuff before anyone else, but if it means selling my soul for that privilege, no thanks.