Getting ready for the ETOC......

[Matchless]

Well here are mine........ They are ready to fly. One has been testflown. Rest will have to wait until Tues to dial-in in the gym....

Also spent some time re-editing my music for the freestyle and polishing it up. I think it came out pretty nicely. At least it will be better than just walking in and playing one song.....

[TheRooster]

5 wow... im bringing 2...you got one per sequence lol?

[Matchless]

I built extras in case something gets damaged in transport or otherwise......LOL

[hpapilot]

Alright, here are a few of my planes...

[Matchless]

Very nice RJ!

[Matchless]

OK, now that the airplanes are done, and I've practiced like crazy, its time to wrap up the last little details.....

I flew each of my airframes today out in the street... (was planning to do this tomorrow in the gym, but it was dead calm outside, so why not....) I put a pack or two through each of them. For the pattern bipes, I flew some of the more challenging maneuvers for me and found that one of them definitely does them better. The other will be fine if necessary, but one was a bit more 'confidence inspiring'. Its just a bit straighter.

Its also time to get tools and supplies organized. I'm flying up there with some friends, so space is kinda cramped (not commercial, but still cramped). I'm taking 2 chargers and a small powersupply. All of that fits in a nice Dubro bag I won at an event last year. Tools and extra props, prop adapters and basic tools will go in the second bay of my transmitter case. I use little film cannisters for organizing the stuff like prop o-rings, prop adapters, etc. I'm also gonna stick a little extra carbon in the case, and some depron in the lining of it. Yeah, I know its overkill, but I come from the competition school of being prepared (pylon will do that to you...)

I also have my music on an MP3 player, as well as 2 burnt copies of my mixed music on a CD. I've tested them in my wife's old CD player. If it will play it, I'm hoping everything else should too. I also emailed a copy to my personal online email account for temporary storage just in case..... LOL

Clotheswise, I don't know what the heck to bring. I've been to Toledo a few times before and flew in the E X games last year too, but heck there's no tellin.

My wife is being a total angel through all of this... She has left me alone so I can practice (instead of folding a load of laundry here and there). She's also watched our daughter when I really needed to. Amy and Abby deserve a dinner out (or 20) when I get back home.

What the heck are my expectations for this trip? I'd like to get up there and fly the best that I can possibly fly. IF that is good enough to do well, then great. If not, then I will still know I've done my best and hopefully represented each of my sponsors well. I also want to kick back and have a d@^^n good time!

[JAS]

Do any of you Castle pilots happen to have the latest CC link 2.24 version for the Castle link. I've just crashed my only plane due to the cut-off and being brand new to these controllers I think it'll be much easier to do it by sight rather than by sound. Thanks.

[TheRooster]

whats your e-mail address?

[Propstriker]

Well Mr Chinn.....Looks like you've planned for every possibility and then some....Don't forget to pack your transmitter!!

Just remember, Have Fun!! Take lots of pictures and all the best to you!!!

[hpapilot]

Jeez... I can't believe it's only a couple days away! All 4 planes are ready plus one or two for the heck of it. We had to build a rack in the back of the car to fit them all, but that's all done now. Now it's a matter of not forgetting every last little thing that we could possibly need. We'll be headed for Toledo in the morning.

Can't wait to meet you all there!

RJ

[Matchless]

Its exciting isn't it RJ!!!!!!!

Same situation here. ACGlenn is taking one of my planes up, and the rest are going with me tomorrow in the airplane......

Yesterday, we had an interesting final practice. Truth be told, it was really cool! When I got to the practice gym, it was full of kids. The facility administrator offered to boot them out, but I told him I did not want to inconvienience them.

A few minutes later, I decided to walk on in with my airplanes and equipment. The kids went nuts, asking if I was the 'Airplane Guy'? I offered to the teacher supervising them that I would give an impromptu lesson in airplanes and physics if they were interested and she responded in the affirmative.

A few minutes later, more kids and their teachers came in to listen in. For the next hour I showed them 'how airplanes work' and gave them a bit of a flying display. I answered tons of questions - frankly, very good questions and kept them interested.

After a while, their parents came and got them, and one by one they left.

AC and I still got an opportunity for some final dialing in and practice, but 'Airplane School' was definitely the highlight of the night!

Tomorrow, myself and the rest of the Memphis Mafia will hop in the plane and fly on up. Its been an awesome journey getting there, and as HPA/RJ said above, I can't wait to see everyone there!

[Wayne]

You guys flying in a light plane to Toldeo?
Weather aint looking good for little planes.

Great School story BTW.