All about The Bro's!

[LeadingEdge]

Article by: Maxon Duncan

Honestly guys, I have a confession to make. I met this guy named Elie at The Nall for the first time a few years back. I cannot pronounce his last name, but that's only because my spanish isn't all that great. Anyways, since then we've become friends. He's become a prolific dude here on our site, and even put a FlyingGiants billboard on the bottom of his big ass Yak - photos that I've used gratuitously on the site. If you haven't met this nut, you're missing out - he's usually the loudest guy at the party, enjoys hovering for 15 minutes straight 100% of the time, and pulls out only when the motor is about to melt. Right up my alley


Anyways, my point in bring this up is that I had a little epiphany tonite after blowing up $300 worth of fireworks. In the past 4 years of doing this online community thing, I've met more good people, and good friends that I would have never bumped into except through this community of ours. Everywhere The FlyingGiants travel, we're always greeted with open arms from people we've never met before. This story repeats itself every weekend with many of the members on FlyingGiants as well. New friends are being made around the world.

For some reason, the online presence in our hobby is incredibly prominent. The way I see it is when we're not flying, we can't loose touch for a second of the day - this kick ass hobby is our passion. I don't want to sound too cheesy here, but I'm incredibly proud to have the opportunity to provide a place to hopefully experience what I have. That's what it's all about folks.

Just a July 4th shout out to you guys. Hope y'alls Independence Day was memorable.

MD

[Craven]

Amen brother! I know I had a great time hanging out with you guys! Right back at ya!

[BoneJuster]

You bet Max keep up the great work! You provide us a forum to learn, meet, keep in touch, blow off steam, etc etc! Having Elie's Edge 5 feet in front of me hovering while I was filming was something I won't soon if ever forget. I can still feel wind and hear the drone of that DA. Thanks again to you and the Giants for getting great pilots and great people together! B. Moore

[SUPERFLYJAY]

MAX U HIT IT RIGHT ON THE HEAD ELIE IS DEF A NUT !!! BUT HE IS ALWAYS THE LIFE OF THE PARTY NO MATTER WHERE HE GOES !!!!!!! AND AS FAR AS HIS HOVERING GOES YOU WILL NOTICE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM IN LEVEL FLIGHT, THE REASON IS THIS !!! PLANE WEIGHS 39LBS 35 OF THOSE POUNDS ARE IN THE TAIL, SO YOU TELL ME WHICH WAY THE PLANE IS GONNA GO ??? AND ALSO BEWARE IF YOURE HAVIN A COOKOUT AT ANY FLY IN AND YOU SEE HIM APPROACHING HIDE ALL YOUR HOT DOGS HE HAS BEEN KNOW TO RIVAL THIS YEARS NATHAN HOT DOG CHAMP HIS RECORD IS 35 DOGS IN 15 MINS !!! BUT YOU STILL GOTTA LOVE THIS GUY !!!

LOVE YA ELIE
SALAMI MAN

[loan4utoo]

Per the normal routine...Max hits it on the head again. I probably wouldn't still be in this hobby if it wasn't for the bro's here in our little online community. I have talked to Max before about this very subject and each of you guys needs to know that Max and Biff feel the same as the rest of us...this is a living, breathing, vibrant and active community. The only difference between us and the community where each of you live is geography. And because of some very giving people, geography is no longer an issue. I feel a bit selfish sometimes though, as if I'm taking too much and not giving enough back. All the encouragement and support from you guys when my wife was so sick...it was just incredible. Her and I both know that the support and the prayers from the FG crew were a HUGE part of her getting well.

The friends, the events, the advice, the jokes, the virtual "biiaatch slapping", the swapping stories and trading stuff, (no Max, I'm not coming over to buy your Edge...LOL), all parts of our community have a real positive influence on each one of us.

So, THANK YOU to everyone at Flying Giants. Hope you all had a great 4th, and as Max says, remember, its "all about the Bro's".

[adrian]

hey dont forget we are the 52 state!! the bro's rock and we are proud crew!! hope you guys had a great 4thjuly!!

[woody63]

Ok,

Man did you all see Elie touch the left wing tip and left elevator tip on the ground at the same time and then pull out like it was nothing? I looked at the tips after he landed to see if there were any grass stains. When I asked him if that was an accident or on purpose he reply was, " Well it was an accident, but it happens all the time"

And I agree 100%, these forums are a great way to keep in touch with old friends and to make new ones. For all that haven't traveled to a lrage fly-in, you need to take the time to do so, we travel all over and have made friends at many different fields and we look forward to the next years event so we can see those friends again.

[robsotelo]

Hi to all,

I'm Rob Sotelo's Dad, I'm the one that got him into flying since he was 2 yrs old. The reason you haven't heard from my son is because he decided to focus on school a little bit to really free up this r summer flying with Pops. I just read your story and now you got me fired up too. I can't wait to meet all of you guys especially this guy Eli.

Keep it up, I never knew anyone could make this hobby so much fun..

Dan Sotelo

[Scat-R-D]

You are dead on Max.
I've met a many people thru this and the old site that have made my life a lot more interesting to say the least.

[snap a saurus]

Max
I was joking saying I wanted a spot on the Flying Giants website.
Thanks for your kind words and on behalf of Thousands and Thousands of Bro's from all over the world, I thank you and Biff for this site that brings us all together and as Biff says, it's about being positive.
The ride home was not pleasant because the party with my old and new found Bro's was over, I wish it continued forever but everything must come to an end.
Now I am looking forward to another Flying Giants event, wherever it may be, I will be there.
A Flying Giants Bro for life.
Thanks Guys.
Elie

[meflyrc]

Max,
You are the man my friend. When I met you at The Nall I had my dad with me. He's an old Air Force dude. After talking with you and Biff I came back over to him and he told me that he thought we were old friends. I told him that we had just met, he couldn't believe it, but I told him that it just seems to be that way with all the bro's around here.
You do a great job around here and I for one thank you and wish you the best always.
Todd

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

That is what this hobby is about!!! Meeting new flyin' buds. I'm finally glad I got to meet some of the other names on the site that I haddn't met. Tank, Fick, and others...... THANKS!!!!!! Cannot forget about sister MOMO!!!! What a great person!!! Thanks for coming out!!!

Thanks for making this hobby enjoyable!!

Chris~