Getting ready for the ETOC......

[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.

[Biff]

Light planes? Didn't you guys see the 20oz minimum weight? Without batts?

[Matchless]

Aww come on Biff!! Have you not heard? The hot new thing in indoor flight is Led Foamelin. Its the greatest stuff, you have not rocked a foamy until you've flown some Led Foamelin.

[Matchless]

Well, I’m home now from the ETOC. Truth be told, we got home Sunday at around Noon in Memphis….. We caught a good tailwind on the way home and made over 220knots the whole way home : ). That is really the way to travel!

Reality though is that Post ETOC Depression is starting to set in…. Last night, I actually had nothing to do but sit and watch the tube. It is really weird being in that situation after having not been for such a long time. My mind and body are expecting to do something. I can feel the two saying ‘What’s up? Don’t we have to go practice the sequence?’ or ‘Don’t we need to go paint another foamy?’

I am going to give myself a bit of a rest. But I can never rest for long…. LOL.

I’m really glad I put up this thread because I think it really shows some of what is necessary to compete in this contest. I know other pilots went much further than I did in some ways, but we all adjusted our lives in one way or another to ensure that we were at our best when we got to Waite High School. I’m also glad, because the reality is that many of the pilots were going through some of the exact same lifechanges that I was going through while preparing – Lotsa new babies in this group! : )

As for my participation in the competition, I’m proud of having competed. I had great fun competing and enjoyed the whole experience. I learned an immense amount by talking with the other competitors and observing. My goal that I set approx 4 years ago was to compete in the ETOC within 5 years, and I beat that by a year- When I set that goal for myself, I could not even torque roll or fly a rolling harrier so I’m proud of beating that goal too.

For this coming year, I intend to do everything possible to ensure I get to compete again. My goal will once again be to have fun (that’s what this is all about- right?), but the second part of that goal is to make the most of what I learned this year, and to better my performance when compared to this year. Many packs will be burned for next year, and I plan to show up leaner and meaner.

Some other random comments::::

John Glezellis, you earned it bro! You flew consistent and solid precision coupled with innovative and well choreographed freestyles and took it to them.
Gernot was awesome as well. As young as he is, we are really in for a good show for sure during the next few years.
Leseberg was awesome as usual. He put the hammer down during the event. Maybe next year equipment will be kinder to him.
Chitty3d, dude, you really turned the wick up a notch, ok maybe you just poured the lamp oil on the ground and set the whole place on fire!!!! Anyway, you kicked ass bro! You are and will be a force to be reckoned with.
I was really proud of my fellow 2DogRC teammates (Wondra, Glenn and Gritter). All of us were first timers in the ETOC, and everyone shined in the competition in their own way. Just a few more points and they’ll be flying in the 2nd round. These guys have talent and maturity, but still know how to have fun.

The organizers and event staff were all awesome. They have taken the steps necessary to make this a truly international competition worthy of the World Championships title, and succeeded.

The after hours flying was intense…… I made depron ‘snow’ out of one of Wondra’s airplanes during a mid-air, and we did some pretty cool things. Seeing Leseberg fly my freestyle airplane with my mode 1 transmitter turned upside down and re-mixed so it would run like a Mode 2 transmitter was hilarious. Showing Snap-a-saurus what a true foamy snap a saurus maneuver is was fun! The Flying Giants crew definitely knows how to party as always!

Its now only 361 days away- are you going to be ready?

[Rolling Thunder]

What happened to Leseberg? What equpment failed? I missed the Saturday coverage.

[hpapilot]

We're back too... made the long drive home on Sunday. We made our way through blizzards in Virginia but made it back to NC alright. Next year, I believe we'll fly...

Jeremy, you said it- the P.E.D. (post ETOC depression) is getting to me too! I have an irresistable urge to do some lobby-hucking. I think we all initially agreed we didn't want to see another foamy for quite a while, but I can't help brainstorming for next year. Might even have some new plans on the worktable...

This has been a great thread. I really enjoyed reading about others' preparation and sharing a little bit of my own. It took a lot of work to get ready for this event, but I had fun the whole time and it was definitely worth it. I really can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Everyone flew awesomely! I'd shout out to everyone but it would be basically a repeat of Jeremy's. My 2DogRC teammates all did an awesome job, and I had a blast hanging out with you all at practice, at the show, and in the lobby-flying-arena Friday night. Hopefully see you all soon!

Now I have to go re-live the experience in pictures...

RJ