2009 TEAM USA IN PORTUGAL UPDATES!

[SleepyC]

Hey guys, while TEAM USA is in Portugal, they asked that I create a thread where they can "blog" without a bunch or replys getting mixed in. That way people can check the thread and get right to the info.
SO, without further ado, here is TEAM USA!

HOW's IT GOING GUYS! FILL US IN!

[JAS]

woohoo... I'll have more to post a little later, but dinner and some last minute airplane work is gonna have my attention for now. But for a quick update, only 3 airplanes have not been shipped over there. Andrew is bringing both of his on the plane with him, and I am bringing one with me. QQ and Brett both shipped their planes. Thursday/Friday is when we leave...

[JAS]

I just wanted to make my 500th post a special one so here it is. I wanted to personally, and on behalf of the Team, thank ALL of the Flying Giants for their support in so many ways. The fund raiser, the blog... and pushing of the sales of shirts, stickers and raffle tickets. And of course recognize the much to early passing of our/my friends Kirby McKinney and Alfred Pye.

This is on both of my T-canalizers...

[JAS]

Ok, so I don't really want to go work on my plane yet, so I'll post a couple more pics of the plane that is already on it's way. Here it is all boxed up and ready for the lid. Off it went to FedEx...





This is the plane I've been flying since before the 08 Nats and has a pretty good record. So we'll look to extend the streak
The plane with me and my friend/caller, Dave Stodart (08 Nats)



And the official site: http://www.fpam.pt/WCF3A09/index.php

[Animal Jesky]

Sorry for not jumping on here sooner but as you know I had a pretty awesome day! First it started off saying my planes were not going to make it with me to Portugal. Now that we have all of that taken care of we are going to get back to model airplanes. Thanks for everyones help! I have one airplane already in the crate and working on the second as we speak. I will post some pictures of the planes when I get back from Lowes. Pretty much all of the team leaves Thursday except for myself and caller, Verne Koester, we leave out Friday. Verne will depart DTW at 4:45PM with our luggage and I will depart 7:05 with our airplanes.

Andrew

[JAS]

25 hours till Dave and I take-off to Philly.... We will meet Brett, Bryan, Quique and Ryan before heading out to Lisbon. Just finishing up some packing, then a few last minute shopping stops, and back to pack the plane

[JAS]

13 hours to go... getting ready to pack up the plane, then finish packing the clothes (since I'm finished with my laundry finally). I'm just glad that my brother is leaving Orlando about the same time... he gets to help me with my baggage (2 Tx cases, 1 backpack, 2 suitcases and my plane box).

[yooki]

I've pretty much got everything packed up. Few little odds and ends to wrap up and I'll get a little nap before I wake up in the morning and go to the airport. Both my checked bags are over 50lbs, not looking foward to lugging those around the airport in Lisbon!

Hard to believe I'll be in Portugal in less than 24 hours. This is my first time out of the country so I'm feelin a little bit of everything right now :X

I'm sure one of us will check in when we get to Lisbon. Until then...

[JAS]

Well Brett, I think we'll be able to help guide you around your first trip abroad... See you in Philly

[JAS]

OK, time for a break before packing plane and topping off clothes. Called US Airways earlier and they said no to taking my plane. Well thankfully Andrew had already figured how to get his 3 planes on US Airways so I gave them his reference number and then told them I only had 1 box and it was smaller than Andrew's. Karen (US Airways assistant) was gonna call me back with the good news, so I hoped. The first call back she didn't sound optimistic. Then a second one, but she needed the box dims again and to know what it was. But the third call was the charm. She called and said it was all cleared to go. It'd just cost me $100, which I told her is fine, I'm used to paying that anyway.

So through the night I've been trying to gather everything and anything that I might need to keep things going if I ran into a brick wall. Well, 7am and I think I've got everything... except for what I'm gonna forget. here's a few pics of all the goodies I'm bringing. Can't wait for 2011... I can just throw all this junk in the van and drive to the Worlds.

Off to pack the plane and the rest of my clothes. Heading to the airport at 10 just to give myself some extra time when they tell me the plane can't go

Small chargers and gadgets



'Tool box'



How to try and keep it all together while in suitcase



Top side spare parts



bottom side spare parts



Batteries, cords and chargers (under stickers) and letter for approval to carry the batteries



Tx's and my lil inspiration



Time to finish packing... then see 3/4's of my Team in about 8 hours.

[Animal Jesky]

Brett and Jason,

Glad to see everything is coming together for you guys. I just have to pack up clothes tonight and I'll be ready. Both of my planes are in my truck ready to head to the airport tonight. I just checked into my early flight to Philly tomorrow. I'll be in Philly for about 12 hours so when you guys land and if you run into anything please email me. Have a safe trip.

Sitting in front of my work computer screen wishing I was heading out today,

Andrew

[JAS]

Andrew I'd trade you spots... but it's a long drive for both of us just to change flights...lol. Ok, so no sleep takes its toll

Here's #2 packed and ready for lid. Box is a lil smaller than my other box, but it helps getting it on the airlines.

[JAS]

Traveling is always an adventure and this one is no different. A few delays here and there... customs not letting us through with our $500 dollar plane(s) , looking for FedEx but finding the airport again (pure luck)... and to top it all off, spending the day sick in the room, with the broken air conditioning...lol. BUT, even with the forklift forks busting through my box, both my planes, and all the rest of the teams planes, made it without a scratch.

Today the guys went out to the field to get some practice in. Andrew arrived and eventually met them out there as well. Seems that we are flying in a bit of a valley so the winds up high are at times different then what is at the ground level. The Canadians were there as was Shane Robinson from Ireland practicing as well. Seems the trim of the day was adding down elevator trim. Not sure why, but I guess I'll start by adding some before I fly tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll get to see what fun they had today.

[yooki]

9:45 here and I'm pretty beat. We've been out practicing at the main site the past couple days and, miraculously, have pretty much been by ourselves (lucky!). The site is less than ideal... trees everywhere and being in a valley make for some great scenery but really rough air. We'll see how the event pans out but I think parking might be an issue as well. In any case, the entire country is beautiful and the weather has been awesome. There are a few hours of the day that are pretty sunny and hot but it's not humid and very cool nights. Enjoying it here and now I need my good nights sleep

-Brett

[SleepyC]

I snuck in! UPDATES GUYS?!