Getting ready for the ETOC......

[TheRooster]

matchless... PM LJJ... he has a cnc router and laser action.
i'm sure he'll cut them for you if you send the depron to him. (LJJ started 3DFoamy.com)

[Matchless]

Thanks for the suggestion John : )


Today, when I got home from work, my servos were at the door. Thank goodness I got all correct servos. (had a shipment once in the past with a 9gm servo mixed in.... )

Anyway, I'm finishing up the new prototype, and its well below the 5oz mark. Exactly what I was shooting for. I just wish it was dead calm outside so I could get some stick time on the thing.

Back on the subject of music, I got the suggestion from somebody here to use the software Audacity to mix my music. I feel like I get better with it each time I use it. Pretty good software for free.

I also got some new APC props from E-Cubed RC to give a test with. They may be just right for the Axi 2203-46. I'll post more once I've run them.

[hpapilot]

I just got the news today that I'll be flying with you all in the ETOC. So, basically the same here... waiting on some more servos, test flying planes, and working on airbrushing. Oh, and of course, some of that practice stuff too...

I've been using Audacity for music mixes. I'm on something like mix #18 by now, but I've settled on the music. It really is a great program for this.

Looking forward to flying with and meeting you all there!

RJ Gritter

[Matchless]

Very cool RJ! C ya there!

On this preparation front, I've got both my practice planes flying well, but I've really got to get into an indoor facility to get some real practicing done. I can practice my freestyle stuff outdoors on a calm day, but not the precision.... and the sim is OK for the precision practice, but we all know its just not the same.

[TheRooster]

I just found out that the local college is cool with my flying in the gyms, might try a college if you havent already?

[Matchless]

Good suggestion John : ) Its funny you mention it. Last year, a local flying buddy helped me get into his church facility each morning for about a month. Today, while out on a road bike ride, I ran into him at my flying field. He recently made contact with another church about a mile from my house that has said they are OK with us getting in there and using their gymnasium.

Hopefully that will work out shortly. (he's calling them tomorrow for me...)



Thats another thing about getting ready for an event like this.... It takes the help of a bunch of good friends to make it happen. If you tried to do it by yourself, you'd never get it done......

Some good help I've gotten from friends to get to the event and get everything going--- I owe a big thanks to each of these guys.

Propstriker - has helped me get into a local multi-use facility to practice
Staggerbee/Jack01 - helped arange the flight up to Toledo and a hotel room at Seagate in Toledo.
aglenn - My practicing buddy/caller. Someone to practice with (and tell you where your flying sucks) is invaluable and AGlenn has been there all the way- I'm proud to get to fly with him in the competition.
Mrs Matchless -The lady is nice enough to let me get out and practice : )

[hpapilot]

Finally... the shipment of servos got here, so I have enough now to cover the backup planes. More batteries and motors on the way, too....

I've been lucky enough to have a few good practice gyms. Some friends from my club flew with and helped QuiQue practice for the 2nd ETOC when he lived here. Two local rec centers are open to letting me practice, and in addition another friend is a coach at a local high school, and whenever possible I go there to fly.

Now, I'm just wishing I had a sponsor... nice thing about foamies is that they're pretty inexpensive, but setting up 4 competition-caliber planes can get pricey...

[Matchless]

You're lucky to have all the great places to practice. Make the most of them!!!!

As for sponsors, just go and have a good time. Do the best you can and always have a good attitude- the sponsors will come when they see what you can do and how you handle yourself : )

[citrus]

Good luck Jeremy, look forward seeing you on the podium.

Chris

[hpapilot]

I am thankful to have the great practice gyms. Now I just have to work my practice schedule around school...

On the sponsor subject, I just spoke with Mark at 2DogRC, and I'm proud to say they are my first sponsor. I'll be running their great little 2S 360mAh packs. Thanks 2DogRC!

[Matchless]

Congrats on getting a sponsor HPA! Mark is a great guy, and his batts do the job well!

Got some really good practice time in yesterday evening. I started by burning some packs outside under the lights at the local church. Just practiced individual elements and a few of them linked together in blocks. As I was running through them, I picked a couple that were giving me the most trouble. I also spent some time practicing my freestyle work.

Then I went back home (and put the batts back on the charger) and fired up the sim. I turned the run speed wayyyyyyy down (50%) and practiced those maneuvers that were giving me fits. After practicing them for a while on slow, I turned up the speed a bit and practiced them some more. I'll continue to practice them at progressively faster speeds until I'm back at 100%. Then I'll transfer all of that work back to the real thing......

BigBird and I were talking via email/PM, and he said something that makes a whole lot of sense- It was something to the effect that if you're not enjoying getting ready for the event, then you're really not going to enjoy the event itself - Have fun and keep it fun. I think his thought was right on, and I'm definitely enjoying the practicing.

We got an indoor facility for next week. Should be able to get in several hours of practice : )

[citrus]

Which sim do you like Jeremy...AFP still??

Chris