Originally Posted by FAVO

I know you are ready for it Neil. More so than me probably. Have you ever thought about going to the NATS in Advanced this year to win, then move.

I think Neil was at the Nats last year but I'm not sure? Did he win sportsman?

Originally Posted by robertp17

After watching him fly it a few weekends ago I think he could hold his own but yes you do make a good point. I saw Chris M take first out of 1 several times last year. Its lonely at the top

Between Chris Maier and John Leyland, its gonna be real tough for anyone to beat them in Unlimited if they both fly this year. They are both unreal.

Chris is in Arizona and Jon....

Originally Posted by TheTank

I think Neil was at the Nats last year but I'm not sure? Did he win sportsman?

Wasnt that pride that won.... no wait I think he was winning but had a midair or something.

Originally Posted by robertp17

Wasnt that pride that won.... no wait I think he was winning but had a midair or something.

Wasn't that at Clover Creek? I remember reading that but I'm unsure which contest.

I hope to see a bunch of you out there at the NATS, I'm judging all week

Originally Posted by bubbagates

Wasn't that at Clover Creek? I remember reading that but I'm unsure which contest.

I hope to see a bunch of you out there at the NATS, I'm judging all week

I would like to be there but just a little problem keeping from going..... my flying

Originally Posted by robertp17

I would like to be there but just a little problem keeping from going..... my flying

If anyone beleives that, I have some land down in South Florida around the Everglades I'd like to sell

Originally Posted by TheTank

Between Chris Maier and John Leyland, its gonna be real tough for anyone to beat them in Unlimited if they both fly this year. They are both unreal.

Yeah, I'm married and live in Arizona now... sorry I cant be there, lol

Neil... fly Advanced... it will be more fun.

Chris

Originally Posted by FAVO

I know you are ready for it Neil. More so than me probably. Have you ever thought about going to the NATS in Advanced this year to win, then move.

Thanks Mr. Brian and others who have posted....I have been thinking about this becuase I am going to the NATS this year. My thinking was I was going to fly in Unlimited here is the NE to try and really challenge myself, not that Advanced with Trent and John wouldn't be challenging..it definatly would be.... that way when I went to the NATS I would have flown a higher, harder class hopefully making Advanced at the NATS a little easier.

Mr. John or Mr. Bill for that matter, if I am at a local contest where I am flying in Unlimited but I am the only competitor, am I allowed to move down to Advanced for that contest?

Neil

I believe if you are the only competitor you can move up if you like. I don't believe you can ever move down?

Originally Posted by Neil4

Thanks Mr. Brian and others who have posted....I have been thinking about this becuase I am going to the NATS this year. My thinking was I was going to fly in Unlimited here is the NE to try and really challenge myself, not that Advanced with Trent and John wouldn't be challenging..it definatly would be.... that way when I went to the NATS I would have flown a higher, harder class hopefully making Advanced at the NATS a little easier.

Mr. John or Mr. Bill for that matter, if I am at a local contest where I am flying in Unlimited but I am the only competitor, am I allowed to move down to Advanced for that contest?

Neil

Hi Neal,

You can fly the next higher class with the option of moving down at the next contest only if there is no other pilots flying your class at that contest. Once you fly any class you can not move back down, that includes the nats as it would be considered an "out of town contest" and all imac rules apply. I know you'll do well in any class as you are a very talented young pilot, however imac five classes are setup as building blocks and everyone of them will help you get to the next level. The unkowns in unlimited are extremely difficult if you're not familiar with them and that's where the inexperience can hurt you. What ever you decide make sure you're having fun as that is the main reason you're doing this.


Albert

Originally Posted by hovermaster

Yeah, I'm married and live in Arizona now... sorry I cant be there, lol

Neil... fly Advanced... it will be more fun.

Chris

Married ?
When are the babies coming ?


Albert

Neil,

I don't know you and haven't seen you fly, but I would caution you about jumping straight to unlimited. There's definitely no harm in taking your time and advancing through each of the classes progressively. Once you've learned the fundamentals of the current class and are consistently winning or placing in your class, then it's time to move up.

If you show up at a contest, and you're the only person flying in your class, you're allowed to move up to the next level and fly there for that contest. In this case, you'll be allowed to go back down to your class at your next contest. In any other case, once you've moved up you're there permanently unless your Regional Director approves (with good reason, other than a plane ) your move back down.

Good luck and have fun!

Pete

Originally Posted by dmichael

Chris is in Arizona and Jon....

I forgot about Chris being in AZ...

As for Leyland, he better just man up and show up!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by sinergy

I believe if you are the only competitor you can move up if you like. I don't believe you can ever move down?

That is correct, unless the RD approves it.

Neil, you are a very talented pilot. Like Albert said, as long as you are having fun, that's what is important. I just wanted to make sure that you knew the rules regarding miving up and such so that you didn't get "stuck" and wanting to move back down. When you feel comfortable, I would say move up, but be prepared to stay in that class. I have made jumps myself, but when I felt I was ready. I started IMAC right in Sportsman, flew 2 or 3 contests in Sportsman, then moved to Intermediate, where I finished a season, and flew the entire next season in intermediate hitting as many contests as I could. I practiced the advanced and unlimited sequences at that time to help build my skill level, but did not feel comfortable moving up at that time. I then moved up to Advanced after a full season of Intermediate, and stayed in Adanced all last year, hitting 5 or 6 contest or so. Due to my lack of motivation, practice, and drive in 08', I decided that it would be best for me to at least start off the 09 season in Advanced as I am still having issues staying motivated to practice... Hopefully, I will get past this burnout period and be back in action! Its great to see the young guys in this hobby taking over and showing us "older" (is 29 old??!!?) guys how its done, but we all definitely want to see you guys continue to have fun, and move up at a pace that will work for you!