Fun Fliers verses Competition Fliers

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

Just a bit of fun.  We haven't had any polls in awhile so I figured I would start a couple.

[W.D. Roland]

I just wish the weather would stop so flying would be possible.

Last C/L contest was 75 Nats and the once in 79.

Hoping to make some this year.

David

[Matt Colan]

I fly to fly in competition but also because I love doing it, so that's why I voted a little of both.

[John Miller]

You really should add another category.

I fly competition and it's fun for me.

Building a competitive plane is fun,

Flying and trimming it is fun.

Practising with it is fun.

Competing with it is really fun.

Fun is in the eyes of the beholder. based on the results so far, I'd say the majority who've responded so far feel much the same. 

[Dick Pacini]

Many years ago, I flew to learn, then for fun and then just to practice for contests.  Competition was my all.  I achieved a certain amount of local success and was in the finals my first and only NATS.

Now, after a 36 year hiatus, I am preparing to enter the hobby again, hopefully to get back into competition.  That is, IF I can still fly again.  I often wonder how I would have ended up if I had stayed with it.  I have seen on this forum that some of the guys I remember are still around.

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

Hi John....I understand what you mean and I was going to put that in, but thought it would muddy the already muddy waters! LOL

[john e. holliday]

I love to get the kids out and fly for fun.  Been much happier flying for fun at contests lately.  Of I haven't flown since the Neosho, MO. get together.  Looks like VSC for first lights this year. 

[Terrence Durrill]

FUN.....FUN.....FUN.....I VOTE FOR FUN.

I began control line flying in 1953 at age 13, and entered my first contest in 1956 at Mexico, Missouri where I flew combat, winning second place.  I was hooked on contest flying, although I didn't have the means to compete often.  Between 1965 and 1969, I flew in many local contests around the midwest and two Nationals, one at Glenview Naval Air Station and one in in 1968 at Olathe, Kansas where I managed a fifth place trophy in Open Combat, four places behind Riley who, of course, took first with his Vampire/Fox .36xBB combo. My last contest as a contestant was 1969.  Then came a family, a full time teaching job and graduate school.  I have always maintained a good collection of combat and stunt planes, kits, etc., but I became a SPORT FLIER and remain so today.  I still travel to Topeka, Kansas each May and enjoy their contest as a spectator, but I have not flown competition for many years.  If I were to do so, I would be flying OLD TIME STUNT, as it is the easiest event for someone 70 years young.  Combat was my first love, but arthritis says no to that today.   ANYHOW, PUT ME DOWN AS A CONFIRMED SPORT FLIER WHO FLIES FOR FUN....TDurrill   

[Russ Danneman]

fun fly with the kids. 15 year old son and 8 year old daughter. great times!rd

[Bill Heher]

fun fly with the kids. 15 year old son and 8 year old daughter. great times!rd

You are a lucky man Russ- my son gave up on it about age 13,  but I had a few good years there in the circle with him. Hope to get him back on the handle - but X-box is some stiff competition.

[FLOYD CARTER]

You don't have a category for me!  I've flown stunt in contests for many years.  I recently decided not to enter any more contests;  the judges didn't think much of my flying, so I'm not going to give them any more laughs.

Floyd

[Walter Hicks]

Good post,

   I think that it is important to settle within yourself what you want out of this hobby/sport.

I am an advanced pilot I go to as many contest as I can but coach Junior College Football and have to miss

more than I would like. The higher you get on the competition level the more a person needs to define what it is

that you want to be doing. As an advanced Pilot if I want to become an expert I would have to :

1. Find a good coach.
2. Practice on a regular basis and frequently with a coach.
3. Get the equipment necessary to compete at that level.
4. Dedicate myself to a much larger degree to achieve the "Expert level."


Having said that some people are all about getting to "Expert", some are happy just competing and hanging out with friends. There are people in each level. We are all different, some love the tedious building and painting , buffing, etc. Some love the flying part and not so much the building and painting. Some just like to fly and not build. Some like to tinker, some like to collect . Some are artists in their creations, some are Rocket Scientists,
(with a great sense of humor) ,Some are engineers and airline pilots, Nasa , etc, etc.My opinion is  when
you can settle within yourself what you are and not try to be someone else the fun starts!

My wish is that we would all enjoy this while  we can because a lot of us are getting older and  in  time all
of this may not be around.

[Bill Little]

I was in Walter's condition for a long time!  Now I have retired (or was I paroled?? ) from coaching but I have nowhere to fly and no one to fly with.........

I fly to fly in competition, but that is FUN for me!  So I marked a little of both.  Flying is fun and flying the pattern is the fun I have.  I just need to have MORE OF IT!

Big Bear