Get to know your Flying Giants family........

[Mike Busutil]

Since the Flying Giants is supposed to be a big family of friends sharing everything we know about our great hobby, I realized I don’t know 90% of the great people I talk with here or know what they look like. This is my effort to try to get to know who everyone is. Tell us How you got into Rc, what you fly, what is the story about your Avatar etc... I'll start.

My name is Mike Busutil, I am 28 years old and I live in Yuma Arizona. I was born into Rc in 1982 I remember having a miniboy helicopter, Quicki 500 and a Piper cub over my crib. By remember I mean I still have a picture. As soon as I had the slightest bit of an attention span my dad was teaching my how to fly. When I was three years old (1985) It was time for my solo, We drove out to our field which was a dry lake bed in vegas on a cold morning. My dad started my trainer and let me takeoff without a buddy box. I flew around for a few minutes and he told me to land. I was nervous and did not want to so he walked away from me with a smile and sat in our van. He told me either way it's going to come down. I manned up and brought it around to a sweat landing. My solo was complete and I was hooked. I grew up between vegas and florida flying here and there. In 2003 I tried IMAC for the first time with a 35% Sukhoi with a 3W 106. I finished basic class in 1st place and loved it. I did a few more contest wining 1st and 2nd up to sportsman class. I love IMAC but I did not have the time to practice or compete anymore because of work. That's good for you guys who fly in the south west otherwise I would be kicking your A$$ at the field. In 2006 I fell into a job as a UAV operator as an external pilot and Payload operator. After my training I deployed to Iraq for 5 months supporting the Marines and Navy Seals. It was my first time ever leaving home. I returned home and became a Flight instructor and Payload Operator Instructor. I was a UAV Instructor for 2 1/2 years and then moved on to being an R&D pilot which is where I am today. I am married to the most beautiful girl and have two sons Gage and Gatlin who are now 7 and 5 years old. I am the oldest of 6 kids. I just got into 3D flying in 2007 with a Hempel 50% Edge 540, When I find the time I like to ride motorcycles or go shooting. I have a AR-10 .308, AK-47, Browning 12 Gauge pump shotgun, Taurus .357 Magnum 8 shot and a Sig .40 caliber. My favorite things in life are Girls, Muscle cars, Guns, Planes and AMERICA!!!! I was lucky enough to own the best plane ever! A Hempel 50% Yak 55 with the 3W 275. I flew it for about a year and had an accident with her, Bill Hempel hooked me up and sold me his personal 50% Yak 55 to replace mine. I flew the second one for over a year and ended up trading it ready to fly for a 700 + Horse power Chevy 540 Big Block for my Pro Touring 81 Camaro I am currently building

[bodywerks]

I'm Nick Radle. I'm the guy that delivered that 50%(Was it the Edge or the Extra?) to you in Yuma while I was on my way to California - small world!
I have been flying since I was around 11 or 12, so like 22-23 years. Taught myself to fly, starting with a Gentle lady glider, then added a power pod to it, then went to slope soarers, then to 4-ch powered airplanes. First powered plane was an EZ Sportsman 25H.
I am a stick mode 4 flier, and the reason is because I taught myself how to fly and just put controls where I thought they should go.
I am an aircraft mechanic by trade and I like it, especially the flight benefits.
Just got into IMAC last year and am really enjoying it. Started in Intermediate and qualified for the Shootout, where I took 5th place - 1st thru 4th place pilots were all less than half my age! Dang kids Now I am in advanced and just finally got my first 1st place finish, and it felt good.

[cjcyclesrc]

My name is Charles Harris. I have been flying RC for a little over 4 years. My passion before that and one which I still enjoy is motorcycles. My Dad was a Motocross Racer and I grew up on a motorcycle. I started riding before I was two years old. I never raced myself but I have competed in Observed Trials. I grew up working in my dad's motorcycle shop working on bikes. I rode my first Harley (Superglide) when I was 11 years old. I've traveled through almost every state and 5 Canadian providences on a motorcycle. I have had a wide variety of job experience. I went to work for the current company (a soda bottler) I work for as a technician on marketing equipment. I wasn't in the job a year before I was ranked top in the nation and given an office job. Now I have access to a computer all day long. I got into the hobby from a friend that I met through working on his motorcycles. He flys at the GMA field in North Georgia. The first time I saw one fly I was hooked. I built up to 20 something planes within a couple months and have been addicted ever since.

[Mike Busutil]

	Quote: Originally Posted by bodywerks
	I'm Nick Radle. I'm the guy that delivered that 50%(Was it the Edge or the Extra?) to you in Yuma while I was on my way to California - small world! I have been flying since I was around 11 or 12, so like 22-23 years. Taught myself to fly, starting with a Gentle lady glider, then added a power pod to it, then went to slope soarers, then to 4-ch powered airplanes. First powered plane was an EZ Sportsman 25H. I am a stick mode 4 flier, and the reason is because I taught myself how to fly and just put controls where I thought they should go. I am an aircraft mechanic by trade and I like it, especially the flight benefits. Just got into IMAC last year and am really enjoying it. Started in Intermediate and qualified for the Shootout, where I took 5th place - 1st thru 4th place pilots were all less than half my age! Dang kids Now I am in advanced and just finally got my first 1st place finish, and it felt good.

Hey Nick, You brought me the Purple Edge 540 in my pictures. Thanks again.

[Mike Busutil]

anyone else? or is everyone in the witness protection program?

[flying skunks]

my name is Donnie Bryans , I am 39 years old , live just south of Daytona Beach ,Florida , where I was born . I have 18 years in the composite industry , F-Glass , E-Glass ,CF , Kevlar . I worked for a few years with a friend of mine on Full scale aviation and Exotic cars ..Now I work at Chief Aircraft , in Deland Florida . I started flying again when my son was born in 2000 , hoping that the bug would be caught. He soloed at the age of three , got his first GS gasser at the age of 5 for X-Mas . When He was seven we went to the Atlanta Huckfest with a few friends , upon leaving the event we started Florida Freestyle Aerobatics Association ....Now two years later , my son ,Jonathan , can out fly me , and the FFAA has grown to be one Great Family .. here is a quick pic of LiL Stinker ( Jonathan ) from Nall this year ..

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

I'm in the WPP!!! Ask Kitman! He have it on video, er ummm, an audio track of him saying not to take pics of me, as I'm in the WPP!!!

[wylieruneyjr]

Hi, I,m Andy Runey, I am 45 years old. Live in South Carolina, on the coast. I have been in residential construction for 30 years. Started roofing durning summers when out of school. I have working knowledge in all phases of construction and related trades. Started playing with rubber power models early in life. Moved to Cox and Tester control line in the mid 70,s. Moved to larger control line with Fox 35,s in the early 80,s. Built my first Rc Airplane in 1988. Crashed alot of duraplanes trying to teach myself , before giving up. Got an instructor in 2006 and made a life long dream come true. I have a full blown case of HOBBY POX, ever since my first solo. Bought the trailer in 2008 and started gas. I still fly the glow also. Been to three Joe Nalls. Was invited to join Carolina Skydancers in late 2008. I,m not that good, but I do have alot of passion for the hobby. It must show. Man have I been meeting new friends at a incredible rate. All good people. Alot people have helped me along the way. I know that this will be a life long hobby for me. And I am so glad to be useing such a great website Flying Gaints. I feel blessed. <RUTNBUC> GET TO KNOW ME

[Mike Busutil]

[snap a saurus]

Mike, good thread
Hi, I don't remember my real name but I think everyone call me Snap a saurus and sometimes they call me Splash a saurus (have no idea why?), I fly mode One, I am sick and desperately in need of therapy, I like big airplanes and I do a Snap a saurus on every takeoff, well except with the 60%. Been flying on and off since 1985, took 6 years off at one time and few more years here and there but have been dedicated to my sickness the last 8 years, how long it will last, I am not sure. Check my videos in my signature and here is few pics of my big airplanes.

[Mike Busutil]

Thanks Snap..... the Extra turned out very nice. but the prop looks WAAAAAAAAAY to small.
Get a real manly prop on that thing.....

[DannyFlyer]

I guess I will take a shot at it.

I'm Danny Stejskal was born December 31st 1988 this year will be 21. Started flying rc when i was 11 soloed at age 12. that year with my H9 easy fly 40 traier competed in my frist imce getiing 2ed out of 4 in basic and 3 in freestyle yes i did rolling 360's with a high diheral flat bottom wing airplane(it was fun) now been struggeling financialy so flying hit a hold but decided to move to my new place to call home TEXAS. I dont think I could ever give up this hobby for anything. Too many great people and relaxing fun with flying in general, imac, and 3d.

Danny

[snap a saurus]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Busutil
	Thanks Snap..... the Extra turned out very nice. but the prop looks WAAAAAAAAAY to small. Get a real manly prop on that thing.....

Mike, agree on the prop but before getting the bigger prop I have to get me a bigger motor.

[Edgeman 540]

Great thread Mike,
Hello my name is Chirs Yerdon, I live in Clifton Park N.Y. and I enjoy aviation in general.I took my first full scale lesson at age 16 and entered into RC in 1999.My first plane was a Hangar 9 Piper Cub with a Saito 56 GK.I presently have 2 40% Carden Edges,2 PAU Edges 30% and 36%.
I have a 12 yr. old son that just soloed at the beginning of the summer and hope the interest says with him.We'll see.
For employment I'm a Process Engineer in the pharmaceutical industry.

[Al Lewis]

Well as the nickname says I'm Al Lewis. I'm soon to be 59 years old and am originally from Baltimore city where I spent three years as a police officer back in the 70's during a break in service. I now live in Port Orchard Washington. I fly 30% gassers and am really big on helping new people into this hobby, especially young folks with little or no money. I retired from the United States Air Force in 1996. I now work for the Department of Defense, Naval Sea Systems Command as a toolmaker. I also do testing for Ron Nesler at www.southeastrcengines.com whenever he asks me. Oh yes, and I also started the "Hard Man's Club" on FG for Wesse.