The Godfather Speaks. Right here on FG.

[madmax]

Folks, today we have a very special guest here on FlyingGiants that we're giddy with excitement to introduce! Some of you may know him as the winner of the recent 2007 Pattern Worlds in Argentina, or the world famous pilot with countless career achievements and victories like no other. Here at FG, we know him as the Godfather, Mr. Quique Somenzini!

Today, Quique wanted to pop in, and share his thoughts on his 2007 victory at The Worlds, and say a few words of thanks to our modeling community.

From the desk of QuiQue Somenzini, to all FlyingGiants Members:

It has been without a question this has been the contest of my dreams because what it represents, who I did represent, and where the F3A World Championships were held. After many years of trying take first place, many times I was very close until now..... We all know the best things happens at the right time and at the right place. Winning this world championships in my home country in front of my whole family and many dear friends has been an absolute dream come true as it has been representing USA my country of adoption, the country of my two American sons and also the country of many dear friends. It has been a dream of mine for a very long time.

Our finish as a team in second place is also a very special part of this championships as we all members of the team worked very hard to get it. I am very thankful with God, my family, my friends, our US team, the AMA, and all my sponsors for all their strong support to help me to perform at my top and be able to get a goal that my dad and me had since we started to compete together back in the 80's. For this reason I want to special dedicate this world championship to my father, Mario, that I am sure he was watching me during the entire championships as he does every day.

Finally my special thanks to you US and Argentinean modelers for all your support before, during and after the championships.

Let me take this big opportunity that FG is giving to me to make a brief comment to the young generation of aerobatic pilots around the world. This small advise comes from watching you young and very valuable modelers. What ever type of aerobatics you are doing please you always think to maneuver your airplane with precision, elegance, smoothness and style. These are strong principles that I found the F3A class helps to develops this principles at best. Overall they are the true and main principles of every type of aerobatic that you are practicing and enjoying.

Once again thank you all and let me take this chance from my family and me to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Take care and fly high!!

Quique Somenzini
F3A World Champion 2007
Sponsored by: Horizon Hobby, JR Radios, E-Flite, Spektrum Radios, Desert Aircraft, Duralite Flight Systems, Oxai Models, YS Engines, Central Hobbies, Morgan Fuels, Asano Creator, TrueTurn, Zurich Sun Glasses, Kirbys Kustoms Graphics, Fedex, APC Props and QQAC"

Please enjoy the photos below submitted from Quique. THANK YOU!!!

At this time, we are going to open this thread to questions from the FlyingGiants Members. This is an excellent opportunity to speak with Quique himself, and he will be watching and answering questions on this thread over the course of the next few days.

Ask Quique your questions!

GROUND RULES: QQ will be answering questions in this thread. Please go easy on the banter, and limit this thread to questions and comments for Quique directly. You know the rest.

The topic of this discussion is:

Quique's achievements in 2007, his career success, advice for the younger generation of modelers, and advice to aspiring pattern / IMAC & 3D pilots.

Take it away crew!

And a BIG THANKS to Mr. Somenzini for coming in and sharing with the FlyingGiants Crew! We are very honored to have you here.

All the best--

~ FlyingGiants Staff

[madmax]

Quique's shots...

[wizard]

Quique, Congratulations on the victory. You have been an inspiration to many modelers over the years and still a great ambassador for the hobby.

One of the things that sticks out in my mind from this year was at the D.O.G.S. show. There was a youngster there with his QQ Yak. You not only took the time to talk with the young man, but also helped him start the plane and stood with him as he flew. After he was finished flying you then discussed the flight with him and gave suggestions and encouragement. This shows the quality of character that you possess.

Thank you for all you have done for the hobby.

Here is a photo of you with the young man.

[sprice50]

Congratulations QQ from all the pilots in Victoria, BC, Canada!!! Nice that you won with a bipe and a four blade prop to be even more different! I'd love to hear more about the prop.

We always love seeing you at the airshow flying the 46% Ultimate.

Hopefully you'll be flying your Python this year.

Well done!

[excelpoint]

Congratulations Quique. A well deserved win.

[JEFFRO503]

OH MAN!! This is awesome!! QQ , you are the MAN! It's an honor to have you visit this site and i for one am extremely stoked that you have the time to stop by here. Honestly since i got into this hobby , you are the ONE pilot that i would have loved to have been able to meet. I have seen a ton of videos and pictures of you flying , and i'm in awe every time i see one. Sorry for sounding like such a little school girl , it's just really cool to have you stop by here. I hope that you can find the time to swing in here every once in a while and just say hello. I know REZA speaks very highly of you , and he has every right to do so. If i may be so bold to state , i don't think this hobby would be any where close to what it is today without , you being involved.


I don't really have any questions that i think would be worth to post , but congrats on your world championship!! That's awesome!

Thanks QQ , and we all hope to see you here every now and then!


Jeff

[SargeNZ]

I have a question for QQ.

Quique. First of all, congratulations on your recent win at the World Championships, and all of your sucesses this year. I can only dream to one day stand among compeitiors of your calibre in international compeitions of the future.

My question is:
During practice for Pattern or IMAC compeitions, I often find it hard to concentrate on working at a maneuver all day just getting it 'perfect' - Are there any tips or tricks to how practices are structured or broken down so that you get the most effective use of the air time?

See you at Tucson 2015

Marcus.

[Donatas]

I remember first (and only one so far) time i saw mr. QQ flying in world F3A championship in Poland, that time he came in second place. It was something amazing for me young beginner to see so many RC legends (CPLR; Matt's ; Hyde ; Schulman ; and naturally QQ) in one place. Most impressive was QQ flight with artistic aerobatic plane right after championship last flight. Wind was really strong and QQ right after take off start locked rolling circle in ~2m high followed by crazy 3D show, it was something amazing to see everything live, i will remember this for long time!

Here is my question for QQ:

What is best way to adjust F3A plane to get best flying characteristics from him. I understand this question require long explanation, but maybe you have some basic rules pilots need to follow?
Also one more quick question if you don't mind. I always hear discussions from pattern pilots about flight modes (for different flight conditions, rolling circles/snap rolls/spins) , are they necessary in F3A and do you use them? Thank you for your time.

You always be inspiration for me, im looking forward to meet you one day in indoor scene! Congratulations with victory in Argentina!!!

Some pics from Poland, Radom 2003 WC :

[mph_4ever]

Quique congratulations!!! Your friends from Puerto Rico are very proud of you! Your dedication to this sport is the inspiration for many of us. Thanks for your advices and for sharing with us your achievment!.

[3D-Seth]

Congratulations at the pattern championships, and all of your success throughout the years! Thanks for all that you have done for the hobby as well!

Seth

[wwurjant]

Quiqeue,
Congratulations for a very well deserved win!!
I haven't got lucky to see you live, but I hope it will happen soon.

I have a question for you.

I noticed you are switching into biplanes, I heard you will compete with your Pitts Python, and you even won the F3A with a biplane (Oh..I forgot to mention your bype Yak you used in ETOC). As a biplane lover, I find this exciting. Can you share with us the reasons why you are now switching to biplanes?

Thks,
Wisnu

[mattricks]

Hello, QQ congratulations
You are inspirating a lot of young pilots and myself by your flying philosophy, thanks for that.
I am so pleased that you won this pattern world championship in your country in front of your all familly it must've been great!!! after all this years.

Here is my question.
How many hours are you practising a week usally?

Thanks for answering and again well done!!!!

[adrian]

hi QQ

You have been my personal hero for years and a major inspiration to many of us!! thank you!!

Please tell me how do you remain so dedicated to the hobby because I am 20 and have been flying for several years but lately are having many social distractions putting pressure on my hobby time and frustrating my Dad that has been supporting me over these years. what keeps you going???

honorably Adrian

[Boulder]

Quique,

Congrats on your win also, as other's have said, you deserve it, you've definately put in your time.

Thanks for coming in and talking to our community, we all know you're a busy man and appreciate you taking this time for our members.

[Jonathan Ott]

Congrats QQ. You are truely a role model.

I have a simple question. I've heard your name pronounced many different ways: Key-Key, Kwe-Kwy, Kikki...

How do you say it?

Jon