plenty of regrets

[mo]

Hello Chaps.
I have thought long and hard on whether I will be able to stay in this most facinating sport of flying helicopters,It upsets me greatly to have to tell you all that I have now decided to quit.
My last outing yesterday at the club field was like most of the others that had gone on before,flying completely on my own, if any of you do this on occasions it can be refreshing,but having to do this most of the time has to be experienced to be believed, it takes away a lot the of enjoyment and I missed the small talk.
When I was involved with fixed wing flying I used to have fun,this was in no small way down to the other members of my club,this is what is missing for me, in my past writings I have said how much helicopters can be disliked when they turn up at a predominatly fixed wing flying field, old friends do not seem so friendly anymore.
Some of you lads may have the idea that my situation was like heaven, I was even provided with my own personel flying patch at the other end of the field from where the planks flew,such was the need felt by them to keep me out of the way,I can sympathize with them on this move for if the boot was on the other foot it would be the last thing that I wanted to have a 60 size helli trying to shred your favourite scale creation,but for me this action only made matters worse, for by this time I was convinced that I was a social outcast,
It most likely comes down to the fact that I made the wrong choice of club for I had an option of joining another local club which I am sure would have turned out better, not having the help I so sorely needed at times caused me a great deal of difficulty in my learning proccess, and that is saying nothing for my moral.
You guys on Stuart's web site were a huge help to me especially "Raptorite," and without all your advice I would not have succeeded in flying model helicopters,on reflection I think anyway that I had left it to late in my life to achieve any great standard of flying, although I would like to think on occasions I did show signs of promise, even if I have to say this myself.
I wish everyone all the best in their flying achievements, and I will continue to keep in touch with you on "rchelliadicts" for my interest is still intact,I have achieved quite a lot in my lifetime, but I can honestly tell you that I will put the flying of model helicopters down as one of those that gave me the greatest satisfaction.
If any of you would like to purchase a very nice moskito sport or conquest helicopter I now intend to sell them in the near future on e-bay, although at times they have cost me my weekly pocket money, I can recommend them to you, for they are now flying a treat.
If any of you great guys ever venture down my way I will be more than pleased for you to drop in for a visit and a chat,I may be devoid of helicopters at that time, but it would be interesting to see if you could outfly me on my G2 simulator,and this I will keep forever.
Who knows perhaps one day I may lucky enough to win the lottery and start all over again.
GOOD FLYING.
Mo.

[Stuart]

Mo

I'm really sorry to hear that your not getting the buzz out of the hobby. Don't sell your gear just yet, take a timeout and then re-try. Or even then join a different club, you've invested so much time and effort it would be a shame to throw in the towel.

I can understand how frustrating I can be to fly by yourself its makes the the learning curve so much harder, but conversely your achievements are purely down to you, yes we've have helped out when you where looking for it but at the end of the day it is you that's doing the flying.

I've been flying now for three/four years and to be frank my flying should be further than it is, but I really only get the chance to get out once a week and I've suffered from the toy's syndrome (aka keep on changing heli's), but no more for me I reckon I've found my perfect heli in the Milli.

If you feel that you cannot continue then I'm sure we will all accept your decision, but your always welcome here.

[mo]

Hi Stuart.
I cannot thank you enough for your concern over my being the headless chicken, but this decision has been on the cards for quite a while,sometimes I came home from the field feeling elated with my achievements, but this has been outweighed by the times I have said to myself what the hell am I doing this for.
I have missed the personel comments on my flying, from the praise, to the kick up the backside, which all go towards the fun of this sport,when you are in trouble it is nice to be able to get on the spot advice,and learned comments to help you with your flying ability are also to be welcomed.
My wife has tried to talk me into joining a more sympathetic and helicopter minded club, but I am happy for the fact that I have mastered the helli and have been able to fly one in a fair and consistant manner.(when nothing fell off or broke)
I took my wife to the field a couple of times for the company and she was most impressed with my flying,I decided to really put on a show for her the third time and held a nose on hover for five mins,when we returned home she commented that I was not getting on as well as she had expected for on the previous time I had flown the helli around the field.(so much for compliments)
Who knows Stu',I may regret my packing up at a later date and decide to have another bash(no pun intended),but the way I feel at this present time is that I am flogging a dead horse.
I will most certainly keep in touch with you and those great chaps on your site, and hopfully will add a few comments here and there,and when my lawns have been cut, and the house redecorated, should I find myself sitting about doing nothing, it could well be a fact of me starting again trying to get the hang of 3D.
All The Best.
Mo.

[Raptorite]

Hi Mo,

I am really sorry to hear your news, as Stuart has already said, it is such a shame considering all the time and effort you have put into this hobby so far.

I know you have had more than your fair share of trials and tribulations recently, particularly with the sport and that you spend almost all your flying time alone, these are all very good reasons to consider packing it in. On the other hand, as Stuart has rightly said, yes, we have helped and guided you through at various times but at the end of the day the achievements you have made are down to no one other than yourself. That is an accolade not many people here, myself included, can claim to have achieved as you have.

I would reiterate Stuart, when he suggests you think about this some more and maybe as has been suggested already, join a more heli friendly club.

At the end of the day the decision has to be yours, and I for one, as I am sure all other members of this site will, support any decision you make and hope that whichever path you choose you will remain an active member and keep in contact on a regular basis.

All the very best wishes whichever path you take.

Cheers,

Pete.

[antsis]

Mo

You've come this far on your own. It would be a shame to chuck it in now. It must have been very hard for you to make this decision.

This highlights the problems mixing heli's and fixed wing and unfortunately in this case, the heli lost, but as Stuart suggested, don't get rid of your kit just yet. Look around at other clubs. Maybe give that club up the A249 a look. On most Saturdays, the fixed wing pilots are out numbered by heli's.

Good luck in whichever route you choose.

Ant

[G-DAVE]

Hi Mo
May be your not as committed to learn to fly heli's as you need to be. When I changed from fixed wing to helicopters there was no way anyone was going to put me off pursuing my chosen hobby.
I was initially on my own but it didn't take long for a few defectors to cross the line and take up heli's when it could been seen that I was having some success .
I agree it's not pleasant to fly on your own , and indeed it's not encouraged in our club as if there was an incident causing a disabling injury to the flier, it could be a while before help was called for.
Like everyone else posting here sorry to loose you to the hobby and hope you can get back into it with another group.
Dave D

[paddy]

hey mo
dont quit the hobby. I always fly on my own, i dont even belong to a club, im a student,i have no money at all, keeping the heli serviceable is hard enough, but its all part of the fun. I fly for my own achievements, ill read up on this site, download videos and set myself targets, and the fun is seeing if i can acheive them and getting the old adrenaline going, so much at some points that i have to land, cos im so shaky!
Its a great sport, dont be put off by people putting u down or excluding you. its thier loss, join a heli club, or dont join a club at all and go it on your own. Aeromodelling is about encompassing all aspects of the sport and accepting people, there shouldnt be any negative feelings. if that club is like that then it doesnt reflect the true spirit that should exist in clubs.
Remember that not every one can fly helicopters, lots of people give up right at the beginning, you're in the minority by being skilled enough to do it and that is a skill you shouldnt waste.

[mo]

Hello Paddy.
Your reply was just the one that I did not want to receive, and through it all shines the fact that you are a better man than I am.
From the sounds of it you have worked wonders Paddy',and it seems you do not suffer from any lack of guts, there is a difference in our age groups, and if I were as young as you are I would most certainly have written a reply similar to yours.
I wish it was possible to turn the clock back for I guess I took up helicopters a little too late in life,I am overjoyed that I have managed to get to a comfortable stage with them,but I was having a lot of aggro from other quarters and this was spoiling my fun.
I shall most proberbly keep one of my helicopters, and have a go if and when I feel like it, I have never been able to sit about doing nothing, and at this time I have thought of nothing to replace flying model helicopters.
I thank you again Paddy' for your kind words, and can only add that should you have lived in my area, you would have made me a great companion to fly with.
All the best to you in your own achievements and hope your mantainance costs stay low, it must be quite a struggle for you with no income, and hope this improves for you in the near future.
GOOD FLYING.
Mo.

[Fixxxer]

Hi Mo,

I'm new to all this lark & I'm still saving for my first heli but I just had to say that it really pains me to see somebody who obviously enjoys model flying so much deciding to pack it up because of the lack of support from your club etc.

Obviously I do not know the trials & tribulations you have been through but from the little I have read you certainly should not doubt yourself. If you have managed to achieve an acceptable level of flight in your mind then a big pat on the back is deserved. We all learn at diffrent rates no matter what the subject is but don't ever let anybody put you off & try to turn the negatives into positives. I hope you may reconsider or at least keep a heli for that rainy day ( well sunny if you know what I mean ).

Yourself and also Paddy are both inspirational to myself as I will most likely end up going it alone but at least I know it is possible.

Anyway, Keep an eye on the forums as I dare say that it won't be long before I'm tearing my hair out and waking up in cold sweats Perhaps you'll be the one who can help out and your knowledge, however small you may think it is with be of value & much appreciated.

All the best for whichever eventual course you take and just remember 1 thing... Keep smiling

Cheers. Craig.B

[mo]

Hello Craig.
Many thanks for your most kind letter, and this reinforces the fact that you are a great bunch of chaps on this site, I just wish that one or two of you were local to me.
This would most certainly have made all the difference to my outlook, but I have never cried over spilt milk and too old to start now.
I will take the advice of keeping one helli in the case of a change of circumstances,and I am certain that in the near future this will be once again doing what it was meant to do.(and not crashing anymore)
Good luck to you Craig',it is bl++dy hard at first and easily quitted, but with plenty of guts and determination you will be sure to get there.
GOOD FLYING.
Mo.

[helidad]

Mo!!!!!!!! Whats doing buddy?

Don't let flyers who have machines that can't HOVER put you off.

Get yourself over to Aussie land, wide-open spaces, plenty of room to fly here,

All the best MO, keep in touch

Cheers

[kiwipilot]

Is there an area on the site where all 'Heli-friendly' clubs can be listed ?

That way, we won't lose any more passionate fliers from the Heli scene, as hopefully they will fit in with a local club, for guidance and companionship too..

[G-DAVE]

If you are not already - and I think if your going to fly radio helicopters, then you should be a member of the British Model Flying Assoc. or the B.M.F.A.
They will supply you with a list of clubs in your area !!
The spin off from this is you will have 3rd. Party Insurance cover when flying your models - no matter where that is.
Dave

[frozen]

Mo,

I must say this thread has been very interesting to read and I'm very sorry you are quitting the hobby/sport. I on the other hand am new to the sport and look really forward to getting into it. The one thing that keeps me going is reading the stories on the forum and just seeing how much enthusiasm/sweat/time & money goes into flying a heli. Plus me being a big fan for a long time and not being able to afford it until now.
I would love to have somebody of your knowledge in the club I finally join, who would be there for support and advice. Maybe it would also help you to get more involved/excited as you might be dealing with different helis and helping people while advancing in your own flying.

I wish you all the best and hope to one day see you flying again while enjoying the sport as you once did. I also think it is great that you still offer advice online and as it is a point of reference for me on a daily basis.

Thanks
Jay

[mo]

Hello Jay.
Many thanks for such a nice post, and it has given me a great pleasure to have read it.
Irrespective of age it is such a great help to have learned knowledge available to the novice flyer, and it is without a doubt that a large number of these learners in flying helicopters give up owing to the lack of mentors.
I was unfortunate, and perhaps foolish at the same time in joining a club that did not cater for the heli,this succeeded in taking away a lot of the pleasure that being involved with other like minded people gives you.
I cannot take away the fact that in spite of all the arguments I was involved in at our field,I pushed on without that vital help and succeeded in flying a helicopter with moderate success.
The reasons for my success can be largely attributed to the great help given from the chaps on this site, who were always ready to come up an answer to what I can see now in my semi learned state, as things I should have known from a good book on the subject before I even started.
I have every wish for your success Jay',and any help I can give you from my limited knowledge you are welcome to, just remember that while you can indeed go it alone,it is by far better to have like minded friends to help you along the way.
Hoping to have occasion to meet you somewhere in the future at some flying field, and to watch you flying your model helicopter.
All The Best.
GOOD FLYING.
Mo.