Tucson Shootout, Parting Thoughts...

[madmax]

The big weekend has finally passed, folks are finally making it back to homebase, and due to the great weather, the flying season continues. Reminiscing on the past week, it all seems like a blur of amazing competition, a killer family reunion, and an excellent experience! So much went down at the 2007 Shootout, I don't even know where to begin! Now that our coverage is wrapped up, I wanted to take this time to thank all of the people who put on this world class event. There are soo many people, I don't even know where to begin - Anna, Dave, Mike, Mike, Huffy, Gillmore, Higgins, Biff, TIMPA Crew, and soo many others outdid themselves again this year, and our modeling community is greatly indebted to your dedication and servitude to the hobby at large. Congrats on a job well done!

To all the competitors who put on an amazing show, it's your inspiration that keeps the killer sport of IMAC alive and well within our community. And to the freestyle guys, your show was absolutely amazing, and seeing your individual techniques and styles keeps us all pushing the envelope to becoming better sticks.

During the weekend, we had a pretty funny BLT cook off where Dave Anderson and our community raised in excess of $3000 for the Children of Fallen Soldier's Charity, and every night was a time to hang out and catch up with friends. Admittedly, this year's shootout was the biggest yet, and probably the most mellow of the past. Which was very good for our mornings . The organizers did a bang up job, and put on something very classy.

In total, we brought back and uploaded over 3 hours of video footage of the event back to the website with the help of FG Staff Boulder, Wizard, Mikey, and friends PBart, Brian McKelvey, and others. The media is still pouring in, and a big thanks to everyone who helped out with this as well. Our event coverage is something we take great pride in, and we hope you enjoyed it!

And on a personal note... To all of the FlyingGiants members in attendance - I know you're reading. This year was amazing to me personally, mainly because I had the opportunity to see even more faces of our members and friends than ever before in the past 5 years I've been covering this event, for the INTERNET at large. I was totally amazed at the pilot's roster this year - it was a veritable who's who of the FG clan, and it was awesome to again meet all of our brothers from around the world, and have a chance to spend time with all of you. We are a global community of friends here on FG and countless numbers at the shootout, and I just want you all to know that as a hack stick and keyboard banger, that I'm very happy, humbled and proud to be a part of it all. Thanks again for your support of what we're building here, and I appreciate your friendship.

And finally, a hearty CONGRATS from the FlyingGiants to our friends Mark Leseberg for his 3rd TAS victory, and to a special competitor, Gernot Bruckman who has been on the scene in FORCE this past year and has worked very hard to receive the recognition he deserves with his big win in the freestyles.

With that, we're all beat from the weekend and are taking it easy. Thanks again everyone for the good times!!!

Photos by Pbart

[dontmesswithgus]

Max you too deserve a hearty pat on the back for your services with the FG and it family members. keep up the GREAT job. Thank You from one and all.

[3D-Seth]

Nice write up max! I really enjoyed being there this year and also enjoyed competing! I had a ball!!

[Dangerous Dan]

nice article, sure wish I would have been there.

[Cracky]

Max and crew, as one of the Flying Giants community I just wanted to say thanks for the great coverage! I hope to make it out there some day to help out knowing how big of a challenge it must be to capture the moments for FG.

Thanks again!

[T BYRD]

Max great job as well. Its pretty cool to stop and take a look at the last two years huh?!?! This is the primo internet r/c forum bar none. You have done an amazing job and deserve a lot of credit for this whole place. There wouldnt be the community there is now without you moving the forum forward like you have.

Thanks again and Im glad to have been a part of this years TAS 07 with you and all flying giants members.

T Byrd

[TazmanianDevil]

Great coverage Max, I have two thumbs up for you.
Like always you guys are doing it in the FG style, Big and beautiful!

[SuperDave]

Max, as always... it's never dull when I see you.

Boulder, you are a class act.

Wizard... should have talked to you more.

!Spike!... grrrrrr

SEG and Gunshow... Always a nice time seeing you

Sweetpea... beep squeek beep beep

John Murdoch... line before AND after

Twizlair.. Can't thank you enough

WoodisGood... Nice shirts!

1bwana1... didn't side with me, but you were fair

Rolling Thunder... Thanks for being fair

exeter_acres... very nice to have met ya

And to all my other Giants bros... what a week to remember!

Let's do it again sometime, shall we?

SuperDave

[Extra260]

I also had a blast meeting up with all the members. John wondra was extremly friendly as well as Tony thomasan. It was also nice to finally meet you max. I wish I could have spent more time there to get to know everyone better but theres always next year.

[sweetpea]

And lets not forget this year we had 12 countries attend (I believe)........It was really the who's who of R/C aerobatics!

If you've never been, its one heck of a great time. You at least have to make it out for the final 3 days and watch some of the best flying in the world!

Just to be invited to this event was a gift.


And one last thought..........Kids (16 and under) Who ever says kids are not in the hobby......They are all over the place....

-Sweeping Sportsman
-Pushing advanced
-Winning Unlimited
-Filling up the invitational side
-Winning Freestyle

Their dads must be super proud

[1bwana1]

I agree with Sam, the kids were amazing. They are really pushing the "old guard". The future looks bright.

The TAS this year was a quality event, I really enjoyed myself. I renewed many old friendships, met a lot of the FG community in person for the first time, and made many new friends.

SuperDave made a particular impression with his dedication the the Children of Fallen Solders charity. He really showed class during the BLT cook-off, when judging "irregularities" cost him a deserved win. He is a gentleman and a class act!

The flying was superb, and has inspired me to fly better. For those who missed it, do your best to make it next year. You will be glad you did.

Kudos to Max and the entire FG crew for a great job on the coverage. They worked their buts off.

[Craven]

Great write up and coverage Max, momo, and the whole crew. THANKS!