Breaking News! - Meet Newest Miniature MA Field Rep

[hillmanr2]

	Quote: Originally Posted by red_Z
	I had no idea what sponsorship meant. Just like most of you, I thought things were given to you. I found out it was not so. There are levels within the sponsorship program. As you rise, I've been told that your discount rate goes up. Only the top tier "Team Pilots" may get full (what most expect) sponsorship. Due to sponsorship contract, I can't discuss the specific rates but for most, you can equate sponsorship = discount. I would have much preferred "level x" or "entry level" sponsored pilot. However, the entry level is called Field Rep at MA. I believe you can see that there could be some confusion and questions like above mentioned would pop up. I also had no idea there were so much jealousy in our beloved hobby. This is a hobby isn't it? All we wanted to do is have fun in what we love. I can hear and smell the jealousy in their voices. It is ugly. At first it was more of a compliment when they did not believe a yr old can do that. Now that has been pr oven, people come out with no 4 year old has the mental capacity to do that and be safe and 4 is 4 attitude. Then came "pimping your kid for sponsorship". Yes I'm a proud dad. I wanted to share my greatest joy with fellow Racers. Does that make me a pimp? And the final saga of jealousy, "In this day and age, due to Sims, anyone with time and money can do that". Is there a need to knock a good thing? I am tired. Although FG community has been exceptional, the rest of the forums have been disapointing to say the least.

That is a shame. I Don't understand this type of thinking, but I know it exists. For a lot of people this is more than a hobby. For many, flying model air planes defines them as a person. In other words model airplanes are everything to these people, it is not a hobby anymore, past a "way of life" it literally is their life.

Their is nothing you can do except try to ignore this type of behavior and shelter your child as best you can. It is a very hard subject to explain to a small child. All kids know is whether or not someone likes them but not the nuances.

My son is 4 and also loves to fly model airplanes although not even close to your sons level. My son just likes "hammering on the sticks" on the buddy box. For him it is fun.
Recently a local news station was filming at our Field. Once they found out my son was going to fly they filmed and interviewed him with great interest. As we were talking I made a joking remark about him being one of the better flyer's at the field. This truly upset and angered a few. I couldn't understand how a 4 year old on a buddy box was any threat, but I guess it is. I can only imagine your case.

Have as much fun with your boy as you can, you both should be extremely proud, you will never get these years back so make the most of it.

[toprudder]

I think it is awesome that he is doing as well as he is, and that he has a father such as yourself to guide him and enjoy the hobby with him. I started flying when I was 11 (control-line, and later RC) and my father felt it was a waste of time and money.

As for whether or not he should be allowed to fly, well, I've seen some 40 year olds that had no business flying. If your son flys well and knows what is safe/unsafe, more power to him.

I have a 12 year old son that has only been flying for a year. He has really taken to this hobby, and has really caught on very quickly. It used to be my hobby, now it is our hobby. Sometimes I don't fly at all, I just enjoy watching him fly. Several of the guys in our club let him fly their planes just to see how well he can fly them.

Keep on flying, and enjoy the hobby together.

[Mr.Pickle]

Hi Red, Hey one thing you should never forget, 'Your son is a prodigy'. It is not true that anyone can do this given enough practice or time. Heck some guys still cant fly that well after many years of practice. But Justin has 'got it'. He is prodigic in his flying capabilities, Ecspecially his heli flying!! I just saw the latest video of his heli flying on DOD and was blown away!!! OH MY GAWD, is all I could say. His heli flying is not to be taken with a grain of salt. It actually takes a special talent to fly a heli. I have often compared it to trying to juggle while standing on a football.
Your a proud father with a good reason to be, keep it that way!! Way to go justin!!!
P.S.---Also keep us posted with more vids!!!!! I absolutly love watching his flying. I get a real kick out of knowing that the person behind the controls is only 4!!!
It really adds to the 'WOW' factor. ~~Jack~~

[red_z06]

Thank you guys so much for the support. It has meant a lot in the past but truely more the past few days. I have always known that people of 8 to 80 frequent these sites. However, you don't always think about that at the time of reading comments. It has dawned on me that people make comments and remarks representing their respective age as shown on their profile! I have decided to turn mine on as it allows one reading the comments to put on a proper filter or mindset if you will. This way, you won't get too upset for a comment by a young person for making a rash remark. I believe showing of the age next to poster's handle is a GOOD thing and hope other sites adopt. Good job MAX.

I have nothing against 8 year olds posting here to be perfectly clear.

[cabowabo4u]

Good for him.. Keep him flying. No age is too young to get kids started in any R/C Hobby. As long as the kids are taught safety and enjoy their hobby while being closely supervised, there should be no age limits.

As far as being a field rep... He is an easy sell, and the notoriety from his mere presence will help publicity...

[atique]

Dude this lil kid rawks !!! I don't even remember what knd of things i did when I was 4. I just turned thirteen! He may go in the Guinese world book of records !!!! ....or he can be the next QQ !!!
Good job kid!
Abdullah

[Mr.Pickle]

Hey Red zo6 You have GOT to bring Justin to the Joe Nall 2007 event!! ( Joenall.com ) The JoeNall event will be held in May. It is the premier flying event every year! Get together with Bob Sadler screenname (Biff) here on FG, he is one of the event CD's. He is also one of the FG's website owner and founders. You would have to see but, He may be able to get Justin on the flightline to participate in the weekend noon demos?. That would be really awesome for everyone and get some great exposure for Justin. Hope to see ya there!

[TeamFlatout]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Mr.Pickle
	Hey Red zo6 You have GOT to bring Justin to the Joe Nall 2007 event!! ( Joenall.com ) The JoeNall event will be held in May. It is the premier flying event every year! Get together with Bob Sadler screenname (Biff) here on FG, he is one of the event CD's. He is also one of the FG's website owner and founders. You would have to see but, He may be able to get Justin on the flightline to participate in the weekend noon demos?. That would be really awesome for everyone and get some great exposure for Justin. Hope to see ya there!

I second that!!!!!!!!

[madmax]

Red, I ditto everyone's sentiments, and thanks for recognizing our community's support and vibe - you are always welcome here. BTW, just wait till me and momo crack one out - I'll be going head to head with you dude

[red_z06]

Max! How can I forget?
It was Sep 2005. You put Justin on the frontpage of Flying Circus and shared the joy with me. You guys all seemed happier than I was for Justin and embraced him as your own. It was rather shocking that a group of people would feel that way toward a boy whom they never even met. From that moment on, I was stuck to Flying Circus and now Flying Giants.

Happy First Birstday to FG!

My goal is to open a new class of flyers called RugRats Masters.

[madmax]

Thanks Red, I was just as stoked back then as I am now. Happy new year dude, many more great things to come.

[Bat Fastard]

I've seen the videos of Justin flying, simply awesome. At first I wanted to break a couple of his fingers, then I realized, it wont help me any. So I hit the sim and tried some heli flying, now I want to break both of MY thumbs off. They just wont respond fast enough.

Red, I am sure you're proud of your son, (I would be) dont let some old fart overshadow your fun. Just be sure to put on the biggest friggin' smile in the world when he takes off and flys. Oh yeah, keep the camera going so the rest of the RC community can continue to marvel at him. We all enjoy the crap out of it!

Jamie