Vindicated paraphrase old line being free flighter working full-time RC oriented organization bit like being pair brown shoes world tuxedos warm sensitive staff reminds least daily modeling choice exactly mainstream perhaps 1500 competition FFers AMA membership 160000 have point theres nothing can except try grin bear bantenng among co-workers fineI certainly dish out least much take labels hes FF guy can tough shake An otherwise brilliant ballplayer may get choker tag because dropped pass kicked ground ball happens modeling too Gary Hover noted accomplishments RC Pylon did know also won Senior Class B FE 1963 Nats Ed Keck known RC crowd top competitor Pattern Pylon yet gave up now world-class FE FlC flier Thus born Vindicatora real live full-service powered RC model designed built concept sketch through completed article ones course some help Jay Mealy Steve Kaluf two RC gurus staff consultants test pilotsnot designers lots discussions about design still did essentially what wanted listened everything suggested model would have 40 would have used ailerons would have pylon-racing three during lunch hours Instead model has 09 big floater instead racer has three functions despite best efforts designer Vindicator flies quite welleven can handle Hope enjoy theres still nagging question FE thing Usually asked going see light tone usual esoteric-type reasons free bird pure modeling form etc really thats least Sometimes think comes down whether prefer tofly models pilot modelers have full-scale piloting past present future modeling cheaper easier way get flying fix Nothing wrong tell theres better sight modeling number FE models gliding silently thermal chasing thermaling model watching fly gracefully exhilaratingevery time After thousands flights years competition thrili getting free ride Mother Nature still hard-bitten FE competitor theres risk factorthe uncertainty Once model leaves hand can never certain result No matter much Ive practiced prepared may have great thermal flight put airplane horrendous downdraft climb glide may perfect may have pick up pieces may win national championship get blown away local contest may have model years lose hot thermal cornfield unpredictability captivating endlessly fascinating often humbling did know flying free-flight models uplifted first soared long ago did first succeed Which model lit spark burning still cant recall know flying free always will Heart Goes Soaring Charles Rushing As years go biggest reason still thing people involved embody competitive spirit combined camaraderie sportsmanship have yet see other sport activity us have known other years competition starts would love bury other under string max flights Closest friends before after flying well others throats day However let problem arise same rip-your-heart-out competitor will side loan equipment repair model help locate lost airplaneanything make outcome fair legitimate possible Its though victory tainted unless everything power help competitor beat recent Nats/USOC Les Hallgarth proceeded place second event C done flying helped him repair damaged model loaned him 0 glow plug could get flights try beat us Les didnt place point R wasnt flying over satisfied individually done everything N collectively power win fun remember much E doing frankly Ill trophy won love fact intense R competition same time contests have almost family reunion quality about especially larger events give chance fly people see once twice season Its always great see again fly few days share time together off flying field wouldnt trade friendship time together anything can think of flying FF fun Really fun funny thingit gets fun year elements mentioned above come together way gives tremendous amount joy satisfaction Dinosaur attitude Maybe know FF probably has limited lifespan now perhaps helps appreciate time have left itand feel strongly FE just right May find something hobby pleases much Haught Managing Editor 168 Model Aviation ed critical part stupidly lost I