Greyson Pritchett Young Pattern competitor and model builder
Jay Smith: How did you get involved with model aviation?
Greyson Pritchett: My father taught me how to fly around 4 and I just couldn’t stop. Every time my dad went out to fly, I made him take me because I wanted to learn. We started in the gym with a Vapor for one winter and the next summer we went outside with a foam Super Cub and an Apprentice.
The next summer I got a .40-size electric Stick and started to fly some tricks with that. I started flying helicopters when I was 6 and since then really enjoy that, too. Of course, I feel lucky to start very young and have lots of airplanes to have around as well as helis and multi-rotors to fly.
JS: How has model aviation impacted your life and/or career?
GP: Flying has allowed me to learn about being a gentleman, and to meet a lot of people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Even though a lot of them are my dad’s friends, they are all really nice guys and are really good to me. They are also very helpful as well.
I really enjoy meeting other kids and so many of them are really good fliers. It’s fun to see them doing things online and then get together in person, and watching everyone get even better.
JS: What disciplines of modeling do you currently participate in?
GP: I like to fly 3-D and helicopters for fun but enjoy spending most of my flying time flying Pattern. I’ve been lucky to succeed and have really nice guys around me that can fly really well. That’s been a big help. This will be my third summer flying in contests and [I] look forward to seeing everyone again.
JS: What are your other hobbies?
GP: My other hobbies are basketball, and I really want to get better at that too. I play on my school team and two Y-Ball [YMCA basketball] teams. I also like to build airplanes. This winter I put together three foamies, my Raptor 550 helicopter, and an Invertix. So, I really like working with tools and learning about how things go together.
JS: Who (or what) has influenced you most?
GP: My dad, Andrew Jesky, Mark Atwood, and Archie Stafford have been a huge impact on improving my flying and having fun.
JS: What advice would you give other Youth members looking to get involved in competition?
GP: Learn the basics first, take your time, and make yourself confident in what you’re doing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help.
I also think it’s important to try new things. If you’re scared, you’re not prepared. Just go for it. Don’t get an airplane or helicopter for competition that you either don’t feel comfortable flying or don’t like flying it.
