Is there an entry level, ie starting point for this event or does the new guy have to take his licks running with the "Big Dogs" so to speak? This is not a rules question, this is a where the heck do I start question. I would like to give it a try.

  "Billy G" 

i would have to say sport jet is a good starting place. the 21 sport event is not a entry level event anymore. maybe try perky or some vintage b speed. but 21 will cost you as Will has stated. being the machnist that you are i am sure that you will have no trouble getting started. 

there is a guy that lives back in va. that is a member of the brotherhood of the ring that you also belong to  that will help you. he was the one that built the planes for me to crash while learning to fly monoline. billy try your fox 29 in a K twister  good flying plane  will go 140 to 160 mph that should have you spin dizzy.

Billy and Joey,

I'm building myself a monoline trainer around a hot but beat up Atwood .49, using a C McCoy Invader aluminum wing and tail, to be ready to fly my beauty of a McCoy 49 engine (which I flew as a Sr. in 1952 at 138 on two lines) in a Vintage monoline C ship.  The trainer will have landing gear, and resemble the  profile ship that I had in mind to recommend to Billy.  Joey, you'll have to check it out for me at Whittier.  We can also try out my Jet Starter, on your Fast Jet, which will spray in fuel with the compressed air.  This might help with the priming./ starting situation.

I was tempted to suggest Sport-Jet to Billy as a good starting class, but didn't want to scare him off.  Other than the lines being too short at 60 feet for someone not used to turning that fast, it is really the fun class.

See you at Whittier,   Will

thats great will see you soon

Sport speed started as a entry level speed event,  which worked great for about six months then it turned into another speed event. I imagine sport jet might have stared the same way.
willis
Joey as I write this I’m looking at your 1986 Fun 21 speed, as it was called then, Nat’s  trophy.

Bill Gruby
Except for you- I don't know of anyone within reasonable driving distance to me who has interest in speed - and there are no longer any contests held in Flushing.  I believe the Flushing speed crowd have moved on to tether cars since they have a track on Long Island. I lost interest in actively flying speed before even learning to fly monoline- but I would be interested to get together with you next time I'm down in your area to fly with Peter Hess at the Avon R/C field. Is there a site nearby where a speed model could be flown? Especially a jet? I pitted a Jet at Whittier Narrows a few times and it was a rush- but I can't imagine flying one any where down in Conn.

For equipment, have a monoline twist unit I can loan to you.- It has  the cast aluminum style grip, I think I bought it from Bill McGraw - last used when I was flying with Santo and I had a B speed. I wish I had the plane- it was styled with elliptical wing - like the Bob Lauderdale Dizzy Bee- it "mysteriously" disappeared from my home workshop when some repair man had to get into the garage to work on the garage door.  I couldn't prove anything- but I was ( and still am) heartbroken. My only proof it ever existed are a few photos. The engine was Tigre 29X RR with the Rossi B full pipe. Engine was setup by Nick Shur. Last flown at Whittier Narrows - best time was 186- with Revup 7-10 1/2, in the day before the 10% nitro limit was introduced.
I think I also have the "B" line wire, but it may not be legal length or size for todays rules - but OK for training. I also have a partly built duplicate of the "B" plane - with a DARP B pan which has not yet been prepped. I also have the Mousetrap style dolly. Do not have an appropriate B engine.

Other goodies I have include ST 15X RR with the Rossi pipe that has never been started or seen fuel- it might have also been built by Nick-in the day before the 10% nitro limit- and a DARP "A" pan that has never been fitted with an engine. I don't think the engine would be legal for the nostalgia speed event.
Lyle