JS: How did you get involved with model aviation?
TC: I had a dream of becoming an astronaut and pilot. Unfortunately, my eyes went bad at the age of nine. My parents supported my dreams even though they knew my eyesight would probably trip me up in pursuit of my flying dreams.
Every Christmas and birthday I received a model airplane kit. Building airplanes progressed into flying small Control Line planes then to gliders, to Slope Soarers, to nitro power, and now electric jets.
My next step—if I can convince my wife— will be turbine jets. During the off-season, I went to flight school, learned how to fly, and obtained my pilot’s license. I am now certified to fly five different aircraft including one high-performance, twin-engine plane and have done 10 hours of acrobatic flying.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
TC: Model aviation is by far my most enjoyable activity for stress reduction and to meet new and interesting people. Now that I’m not an athlete and I coach/teach for a living, I love to share my experience with others and help introduce them to the sport. I take the time to answer questions or allow a young child to touch and explore one of my planes. It’s a great conversation starter and wonderful way to meet people.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
TC: I have owned cars, boats, and a helicopter or two, but my love fixed wing aircraft—fast with thrust screaming out of a narrow exhaust tube. Although I own only one propeller plane, I have more than 20 EDF/nitro-powered ducted-fan jets. If it’s fast and doesn’t have a propeller, I want it!
JS: What are your other hobbies?
TC: I enjoy all outdoor activities such as golfing, biking, and scuba diving, however, even getting a hole in one doesn’t give me the same thrill as the feeling of running over hurdles at breakneck speeds.
Time has taken its toll on my body, so while I can still get over a hurdle now and then, I have found that writing, creating, and having a story or novel published comes very close in the thrill department.
JS: Who (or what) has influenced you most?
TC: Growing up in Southern California, we enjoy 12 months of great weather for RC flying. On any given weekend, you can see the latest technology, kits, and some pioneers of the sport flying and testing the next product that you’ll soon see in stores. It was in the late ’70s and ’80s when I met Larry Wolfe of Jet Hangar Hobbies (JHH) and his young son, Chris.
Larry is a legend in the sport. He built and flew model planes for movies such as Iron Eagle. When I saw his ducted-fan kits, I had to have one. Flash forward to present day—I have owned five JHH jets and have become good friends with Chris who mentors me and teaches me something new each time we fly together.
JS: How did you get involved in hurdling?
TC: I never dreamed of becoming an Olympic track and field athlete, let alone becoming an Olympic medalist. I had played baseball and football and had dreams of being a L.A. Dodger.
In high school, my friends convinced me to take a break from baseball and go out for the track team. The plan was to join the team, gets some running tips, get a girlfriend because girls loved to come to track and field meets, then return to baseball and try to earn an athletic scholarship.
I wasn’t fast, so I couldn’t do the sprints. I wasn’t strong, so the throwing events were out, too. I weighed barely 120 pounds with long, gangly legs that could barely hold their own weight for long, so running distance races wasn’t an option, which left only the hurdle events.
I had long legs, I could jump over things, and only a few guys were willing to try them! I knew I could do the low hurdles (30 inches); they presented little hazard for me. I had run over higher bushes and fences on my way home while being chased by the local bully. However, I did not want to run the high hurdles (39 inches); they looked insanely dangerous.
While I was explaining to the coach how I appreciated him allowing me to try out for the team and that I would only be running the low hurdles, the team captain overheard the conversation. He promptly got in my face, called me a few choice words, and gave me a hard shove backward.
As I began to fall, I spun around to catch myself or at least to fall face down but to my surprise a high hurdle was set up and a quick decision was made to jump instead of falling into the barrier. As I sailed over the wood and steel obstacle, I fell “in love at first flight” with the high hurdles.
