FAREWELL TO MY SOUTHWEST FLYING BUDS...

[SuperDave]

Well guys, its 18 days and a wake-up until I start my move eastward to Florida…the Ft. Walton Beach/Navarre area to be exact. I’ve done my four year tour here at Kirtland Air Force Base training C-130 aircrews, and now I’ve been reassigned to Hurlburt Field, FL to re-join my Special Ops Brothers. Although I’m sure I will meet a lot of great Giants in Florida and flying will be WARMER in the winter… I must give props (praise) to the friends I’ve made here in the Southwest over the last four years. I didn’t say flying buddies, because many have become REAL friends. If I forget anyone, please forgive me…

First off is Ralph Lang. I met Ralph back in 2003 when I was in on a trip here to Albuquerque from my base overseas. I was asking at the local field if anyone flew IMAC and planned on traveling. I was pointed in his direction and the rest was history. We met up at the local hobby shop (Southwest Hobbies at the time) and I proceeded to buy my first IMAC plane, the Hangar 9 Sukhoi. So, after moving to Albuquerque in Feb 2004, Ralph really took me under his wing and taught me how to fly straight lines… I admit, I really sucked and Ralph knew he had his work cut out. After much work and a full season I eventually won my first, first place here in Albuquerque in June 2005. Since then I have stuffed away several first place trophies and a lot of other close calls (I even beat Eric Powell at the Cactus Classic in 2005 and Ryan Archer, the FIRST day of the Cactus Classic, 2006…then CHOKE). I’m not listing these to brag, I list them to give Ralph credit for taking me from a hot-dog stick-banger to the precision pilot I wanted to be. We went to about 25 contests together…WOW! It will be VERY hard to get back into IMAC next year (taking this year off) in Advanced without him as my trainer and caller. It’s almost inconceivable, but I’ll have to make do. He’s expressed interest in coming down for a contest or two. Ralph and I even came up with our own brand of “jive” talk that has entertained us on many road trips over the years. Anyway, the next BIG cool thing he did was allow me and my wife Jenn to have our wedding at his house in Sep 2006. He let us turn his courtyard into a wedding chapel and was SO generous. We had about 100 guests and Ralph was very cool through the whole thing. As I’m leaving Ralph has opened his own hobby shop in Albuquerque, Hobby-Proz.com. Ralph, I’ll never forget you buddy.

Next is Jeramy Melton (known here as Twizlair). Jer and I got off to a late start on the friend front. He and I started hanging out in late 2005 when we painted my 3 M Comp ARF Extra 330 in his garage (the orange and purple checker-board scheme). That took a lot of Keystone Beer and Dave being stoned from not having a respirator. WHEEEEE! Since then Jeramy has also had a big hand in developing my flying. He is a top-notch pilot who could really do well in IMAC (again) if he could get out on the road. However, he is probably one of the MOST devoted family men I have ever known and he will not do it until the timing is right. But if he does, look out you Advanced boys! I had the pleasure of Jeramy being my “pit-crew” at the last Shootout. I was plagued by engine trouble at the start of the week and this guy went so far past the “extra-mile” trying to get my plane fixed I could never repay him. Unfortunately, my flying didn’t recover that week, but we had a great time nonetheless. He has done so much painting for me I could again, never repay him. If you need some paint work done, he’s the guy. Send him a PM. The pilot figure he did for me is a true work of art, and will always be in my contest plane.

Then we have David Pattison. Dave is just one all-around great dude. Again, just met him through flying but he became a true friend. He gave me a lot of good advice on building planes, flying and biggest of all…taught me how to be a CD. A REAL CD, not one of those that lets pilots run all over them. He means business at a contest and really knows how to keep things running well. I have heard through the grapevine that he might re-appear at a few contests in 2008. Hope so, he’s a great pilot too. I have to again say thanks for allowing me and my daughters to come over a few times and use the pool. That was VERY cool. Dave you are a super nice guy and I will really miss you too.

How about Len Alessi? Our local Team JR Rep. Len is our resident expert on JR radios and is a true artist at setting up planes. He also let me come over to his shop a few times with my Dalton to use his tools to make some delicate cuts. Len and his wife Bev are really nice people who will help anyone out in a heartbeat. Len, I’ll still most likely email you questions, hehe.

There’s the local crew, here are some fellas around the SW I will miss:

Tony Holden: A “true-grit” CD and pilot. And, an all around nice dude. He has the distinction of being the only CD to yell…”get off the F….kin runway!”. That was the Cactus Classic 2006. Thanks for coming to Albuquerque all those years Tony.

Dean Bird: IMAC guru…like no other. Dean is my authority on everything IMAC. This guy knows his stuff and is very willing to help a brother out. He has the best hair in the SW…period. Thanks to you as well Dean for coming up to Albuquerque.

Tony Quist: ROLLING THUNDER! Tony, I always enjoyed watching you fly and thanks for voting for my TBLT in the cookout at the Shootout (even though I know you liked Max’s better, hehe). You are a nice guy and have given me many pointers over the years.

Dave Stoik: He’s flying full-scale aerobatics now, but in my first two years in IMAC Dave was a fixture. Always great for a laugh…and always has some good advice.

Tim May: The man let me borrow his 45 pound 3M Comp ARF Extra for the 2005 regional’s after mine shredded itself. Still got fourth in the region that year! Tim also spent time with me fine-tuning my flying (or at least telling me what I SHOULD do to fine tune my flying).

The Vegas Crew: Namely, Sam Gaglio (Sweetpea) and John Murdoch (rascally John Murdoch). These guys made us Albuquerque pilots “honorary” members of the Vegas crew. That was an honor. Thanks guys!

Tom Powell and Eric Powell (Gunshow and SEG): Tom always greeted Ralph and me with a smile and a handshake…Eric, never stops smiling… Nice guys and you’ll be missed!

Bill Hempel; the most approachable of all pro’s in my opinion. Super nice to talk to and would always offer advice when asked. Thanks for coming up to Albuquerque all those years.

Madmax…I won’t say I’ll miss you because I’ll see you in the SE I’m sure! No getting away from it I suppose. AHHHHAHAHAHAHA!

Again, if I didn’t list you here I’m sorry. I’ll add more to the list I’m sure. There are so many great people in the SW and it’s with a heavy transmitter I must bid you guys farewell. Maybe I’ll see you guys at a Shootout in the future…

As for Florida, I look forward to meeting lots of Giants down there. My hopes are to continue in IMAC and start into Vintage Pattern as well. In fact, Flying Giants has already put me in touch with a few folks.

So.... Adios Amigos!

Super Dave Anderson

[Tailchaser]

It's easy to make acquaintances, but hard to find a real friend, then to have to leave them has to be hard.

Good luck, hope you find good Friends in your new field.

Chuck

[mike chandley]

Welcome! to the SE.
I am sure you will not find a finer bunch than these guys. I have been IMAC'ing 3 years. I had alot of fun with these guys and most are truly fine people. I lost my father last year and only made one contest. I am looking forward to more IMAC this year and look forward to meeting you.
P.S. I will show you why they call us North Carolina boys, TEAM CHOLESTEROL.
Good Food Good Friends and we get to fly too.

Mike Chandley

[Johnny MoJo]

Dave,

Welcome to the Southeast. If you need to toss something around, there are some nice profile guys in your new neighborhood. BuildFlyCrash, and Spectre1 (he's Airforce) to name a few. I'm just getting into GS but will never turn my back on profiles. So if you feel the need for something that is a ton of fun but has a little less "emotional debt factor", give them a try.

If you need contact info for these guys, shoot me a PM and I'll get you guys introduced. I hope you and your wife have a safe trip over. Welcome to the Southeast!

J.

[TimDavie]

Superdave,
When you get to Hurlburt, be sure to find the monument to the 14 Ranch hands that were KIA. My dad's name is on that. He went there from Travis AFB (my birthright) in 63 I think. I never have made it down there to see that, but hope to some day.

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Johnny MoJo
	Dave, Welcome to the Southeast. If you need to toss something around, there are some nice profile guys in your new neighborhood. BuildFlyCrash, and Spectre1 (he's Airforce) to name a few. I'm just getting into GS but will never turn my back on profiles. So if you feel the need for something that is a ton of fun but has a little less "emotional debt factor", give them a try. J.

Thanks for the words of welcome guys! I actually got to Albuquerque really liking profiles. had several of them, but the way I liked to fly them would have given the locals heart failure. No aerobatics over the runway is the rule, so how else could you fly a profile? I sure liked them though.

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by TimDavie
	Superdave, When you get to Hurlburt, be sure to find the monument to the 14 Ranch hands that were KIA. My dad's name is on that. He went there from Travis AFB (my birthright) in 63 I think. I never have made it down there to see that, but hope to some day.

Tim, I'll try to remember to get a picture for you.

Dave

[Rolling Thunder]

Dave,

you will be missed at contests. Nobody stands in the middle of the runway better than you.

RT

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Rolling Thunder
	Dave, you will be missed at contests. Nobody stands in the middle of the runway better than you. RT

That was quite a day, hehe

[toc pilot]

Hey Dave,

Great flying with you and thank you for the compliment! You are Super Dave here on FG but in real life you are just Super Nice! I am sure our paths will cross agian, we'll se you at the Nall. Thanks for all the hospitality in ALQ.

Bill Hempel

[Extra260]

Dave, you were a huge help to me and getting me into Imac, Thanks a ton and the SW will miss you. I am sure we will meet at another event.

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by toc pilot
	Hey Dave, Great flying with you and thank you for the compliment! You are Super Dave here on FG but in real life you are just Super Nice! I am sure our paths will cross agian, we'll se you at the Nall. Thanks for all the hospitality in ALQ. Bill Hempel

Thanks Bill! The Nall is on the "list" of must-do's while living in the SE.