Hello from Mark in Belgium

[MarkNovack]

Hi,
I'm new here but not to R/C. I'm retired US Army living with my Belgian wife in Nameche, Belgium. I have a 7 month old daughter, a 100 year old house, and a few hobbies. I fly and build, F3A, 3D, and artistic aerobatics are my faves in flying, and although I no longer compete, I practice and improve every chance I get...that's almost every day that the weather is nice. I no longer fly in inclimate weather, sort of removes the idea of hobby from the hobby. I also garden and do all necessary re-building/restoration in my house from flooring and leveling to concrete work and landscaping.

I have flown in four countries. Around 1981-1983 I was a member of the Indiana Sundowners Club when it was located in Chesterton, Indiana. Then, after joining the Army I stopped flying until around 1996 when I restarted in Germany with the Walldorf Flugmodelclub near Heidelberg, Germany. In 2000 I was transfered to SHAPE, Belgium where I was a member of the SHAPE Internation Model Airplane Club (SIMAC), Model Club Havay where I received F3A coaching from JP Zardini, the co-owner of ZNLine and WC F3A competitor, and Modelclub Estinne. I also did lots of work for ZNLine, building F3A airplanes and mechanic stuff for JP's big airplanes where I learned lots of new things and professional methods.

During my F3A competition days I flew in about ten different Belgian clubs and one time in Romilly, France with the best of the best (I was far outclassed but had great fun in spite of the 100 degree temperatures on the tarmac).

Now retired, I am a member of the Modelclub Andennaise in Bonneville, Belgium, a simple club for regular pilots with a nicely maintained field and clubhouse with all the good stuff...running water, electricity, real toilets, and extremely nice folks and 2 BBQ grills .

I have a small collection of airplanes as follows.

ZNLine Madness II
Kyosho Giles-202
ZNLine Synergy 90 3D
ZNLine Synergy F3A
ZNLine Synergy 140 3D
ZNLine Majestic
Midwest Superstinker
Dave Patric Ultimate
Chip Hyde Double Vision
Wendell Hostetler Pitts S-1-11B
Carden 35% Edge
Mantua models MiniCosmos
Lanier Stinger .10
World Model Astrotrainer (waiting for my daughter to grow a little bit)
Great Planes Patty Wagstaff Extra 300S

I no longer am collecting more airplanes...I think I'm good for a number of years. While in buying mode I thought I always needed the latest, greatest thing (it rarely was as advirtised) and finally learned that the best airplane is the one I fly the most and have under my thumbs the best. I keep my modest hobby money for the huge amounts of fuel that I burn and parts I need for the kits in progress. I stopped obsessing about everything but flying time.

I enjoy my time at the field and love to help other folks when they ask for it. Family time is paramount but my wife truly understands my need for my flying hobby and permits my hobby with pleasure. I'm a househusband and take care of my little girl everyday to include taking her to the field when I go flying. I get lots of help from everyone there too so its really the best of everything with her.

Anyway, that's a bit about myself. I am pleased to be here in Flying Giants. I'll probably browse more than post...I figure thirty or so glowplug recommendations to one question are sufficeint and the multitude of build threads covering the same airplanes seem to have the bases well covered, but I'll chime in wherever I think I can add something helpful or original. I definately don't get into the castor versus synthetic argument ...LOL, or the old my brand is best arguments. I have been online in forums since RCOnline was the main place to be, RCUniverse before it became the agressive opinion channel on every R/C subject known to mankind, so I hope Giants sticks to flying things.

Regards,
Mark Novack

[Boulder]

Hey Mark,

Great to have you here!!

I'm with you 100%, it sounds like you know what you want in an RC flying site, and I promise you we will stay the way we are. The whole idea behind this site is to have a place to share experiences, show off new products and get together for some discussion and fun, all while leaving the drama to other forums. Our members are the best you will find anywhere, and I'm proud to welcome you as one of them!

Welcome to the Giants!!!