Howdy from the Metro East (St. Louis)....

[BigC72]

Just moved to the St. Louis area (actually live in Troy, IL) last summer after living in southwest Louisiana for nearly 11 years.

Been flying for a little over 9 years....started out fairly typically doing the weekend flyer bit boring a few holes in the sky and having a good time. After a few years I got into heli's and did that hard and heavy for a couple of years and after the whirlybirds got out of my system I've spent the last several years flying combat right up until the fam and I moved back to the midwest. Combat's out of the system now and I'm ready to start flying the big toys with the big boys!!

Had the opportunity to meet FastFord and Jagerbomb out at an Orchard Farm fly-in last fall along with probably several others here that I didn't have as much time to chat with. Both awesome guys with plenty of great advice and I look forward to flying with them hopefully in the near future...

Well now after a wild fall and winter for the fam and I I'm ready to get busy....I'm looking around and trying to decide what gear to go with (plane, motor, ect..). Part of me would like to buy all new and start fresh but with my time constraints I'm thinking that finding a plane already in the air would be better this flying season just to get out and start burning gas...

I've already got the St. Louey Huckfest on the calendar and will be out there taking it all in and hope to get to meet a few of you guys out there...Without question one of the best parts of this hobby is the people you meet along the way...

BigCounty

[Boulder]

Hey Travis,

Great to have you join the crew!!

It sounds like you have a good plan, you're going to love the big stuff!

Buying a second hand plane can be a good move, just check it over real good.

The best of luck with your search!

Welcome to the Giants!!!

[dmcquinn]

Three's a public park in southwest st louis county where we fly (Buder Park). probably about an hours drive from Troy, though. Come see us sometime. It's in the NE corner of I-44 and hiway 141. Open to all AMA members. Sometimes closed for special events (soccer tournaments, etc.). I'm also a member in Edwardsville (SIUE campus) which is closer to you. Not a particularly good field (small) but nice guys generally. see http://www.eastsidercclub.com/

[BigC72]

Thanks guys....I appreciate the warm welcome!! DM I'll certainly get out there and check out your club....I know Jagerbomb happened to mention it when I told him that I used to fly combat...I guess some of the members out there must fly a little once in a while...

I checked out the club at SIUE and found exactly what you mentioned....very, very nice folks but pretty small....I'm thinking pretty hard about joining the Midwest club out by Roxana and possibly the River City group on the other side of the river...time will tell though....right now I'd probably fly in a phone booth ;-)

[aviti]

Welcome BigC. I fly at Buder as well. Dave - Is that a new airplane I see in your avatar?

[suraerobatics]

o know theeis another feild over clos to you that is the mall feild in south roxanna ill. or is it mid west air wing im sure some one can tell you . welcome to the F.G.

[dmcquinn]

Tony - Yes I'm now flying a SD-models 35% Yak. My Cap right wing failed in flight (blender) and was destroyed.

BigCounty - there is a field near roxana - midwest air wing - new poag road to wanda road north first left about 1/2 mile on the left. this is in the general area of I-255 and new poag road. they are losing their field due to encroaching industrial plant however.

[BigC72]

Dave,

Thanks for the update on the Midwest group....that was definitely first on my list of clubs to join but haven't been out there since last fall so I wasn't aware that they were losing their field....any idea if they're trying to relocate or are they just going to hang it up? Well...looks like River City it is....

[dmcquinn]

The boy at MAW are looking for another field. I think they are still flying at the existing field, but i understand the adjacent property is being developed into an asphalt plant.

[BigC72]

That's good to hear...hopefully they'll be able to make something happen...I was very spoiled down in Cajun land...the LARKS (Lake Area Radio Kontrol Society) is on the same property that they've been on for 38 years with no worries of ever getting booted off....

Dave, hope to get a chance to meet you maybe at the big huckfest in June...

[Cracky]

BigC welcome to Flying Giants. I am from NW of downtown about 45 minutes in Wentzville and belong to Orchard Farm RC. June 9 is our open house, put it on the calendar and come on out. Should be a great time. Its a shame about the asphalt plant going in next to MWAW, but as long as you don't do any big rollers away left you'll be alright. Look forward to meeting you (if I already haven't).

[BigC72]

Hey DGF....after looking over your profile I'm pretty sure we chatted out at Orchard last fall at the flyin that Jagerbomb invited me to....If I remember correctly you and your wife were expecting twins. I remember that cause my wife and I are about 12 days from welcoming our third to the family and we talked a little about the whole impending parenthood thing....I've got the Open house on the ole' calendar and will plan on getting out there again...who knows by then I may have something "under my arm" to fly ;-)