What it means to be “addicted”

The Sun Valley Flyers had scheduled an event this past Sunday, for the 1/8th scale airforce. I planned to go and watch some flying, but when I arrived the winds were in upwards of 15mph, with even stronger gusts. Most all of the planes had been packed in, since even leaving them sitting on the ground was a big risk due to the conditions. So I waited around while they gave out awards, and when they were nearly done my friend Marty showed up. I mentioned that I had brought my little AddictionRC.com T-28 Trojan, and he said I should go grab it and fly. I took a long look at the runway, and the windsock indicating full-strong crosswinds, and I said “Yeah, sure, why not.”

I don’t think anyone noticed me coming back from my car with the plane, or preparing the battery and my reciever. Even as I walked up to the flight station, barely keeping the foam plane in my hands as the wind pulled at the wings, nobody said anything. I set the plane on the runway, and just before the wind gusted and pushed her out into the weeds I hit full throttle and pulled her straight up into the wind. It was cool! It was also increadibly shakey, as the wind tugged and pushed in all directions. I had high rates on and was still throwing the sticks all over the receiver just to keep anything straight. I pulled vertical and flew like a kite for a minute, then hung a very long right turn downwind and the plane picked up speed - screaming down the runway like a rocket. Just before I lost sight of the plane I swung back around towards me and hit full throttle – just praying that I had enough power to gain some ground and get back to the runway. Because the battery was fresh I did, and just as I came perpindicular to the runway I cut throttle and used all my might to keep the wings from going either left OR right – as they both tried to an infinite number of times before the plane finally set herself down on all three wheels.  Before the wind flipped her over, I ran out and grabbed my good ‘ole T-28.

As I walked back to the ramada I was greated with many compliments on the flying. One guy had said that I must have had a lot of balls to do that, and another remarked that I probably didn’t have enough brains. But to me it was just natural. I had a plane, and a situation that I was willing to bet I could handle.

I ended up flying one more time that day in even stronger winds. I was able to repeat the success and then smartly decided I had pushed my luck enough.  But as silly as it sounds I wondered what was different from what I did, and what guys like QQ Somenzini, Yuri Higuchi, and Chip Hyde do?  Guys who fly at night, on knife-edge, torque-roll, flat spin, and invent “the restart?”  They all decided to take a risk that seemed silly to some people.  The end result turned out that they were better for it, had fun, advance the hobby and gave a good show.  That is a huge part of what this hobby is about.

So the AddictionRC.com Trojan will fly again. I am even thinking of creating a new sport – RC Kites.  Anyone want to buy one?

Advertisement