Too old my Ass

[AcidDrink]

I am in my 40s but I still kick ass at BF3 Consistently in top 10 of the table, if I play with my squad, we usually win Doesn't prove anything tho.

Fine motor skills seldom deteriorate with age, it's more about time and being fearless (some call it different ).

Competitions dominated by seven years old would not be good for sponsors, this hobby is dominated by middle aged men.

[leons]

In my case it is a combination of reflexes [age]...and cost when it hits the ground..

My reflexes..[read thumbs]..are much slower now than when I was 70..and cost of repairs if [read when] things go belly up certainly stop me from trying anything beyond steady hovering and dead slow circuits...

But I enjoy my Helis...and that is the name of the game...

Leon

[Lynx.1677]

Also depends how much time/money you are willing to throw at it too. I just don't have the time or spare funds atm but 6 months ago I would have said I was wholly average 3d learner, not sure now as haven't flown since trying to crash Pete's 450 at the FOD Flyin in Sept. I still use the sim to keep the moves fresh.

[Matt Gill]

I think the speed of reflexes are important, but for me its the amount of effort that you put in, the more you get out. However, I also think that some people are born with that 'edge' and always have that natural ability, I guess a bit like a footballer who has that 'vision' of pass. I look at top pilots like Jamie Robertson, Duncan O, Steven Gerrard, Kyle Dahl, Ben Storrick etc. Yes, these guys put hours and hours of sim and actual flying time in, but there is something natural about their skill and ability that in my opinion you are born with. If you are, then bonus, if not, you just have to work even harder, regardless of age.

[Tim Procter]

Snip

You Matt are a perfect example of a person who puts everything into your flying... Hard work along with long hours practicing.

Always a pleasure to watch everytime I see you, I think not gifted but very hard working which reflects in your very high standard of skills.

[pchristy]

My problem is an age related eyesight issue - my left eye has been getting steadily worse for the last few years, to the extent that I find judging attitude difficult at any distance. I've been flying long enough for instinct to be able to compensate to some extent, but in the last year or two I've found the model "silhouettes" on me very easily, and more than once I've corrected the "wrong" way as a consequence! So far its always happened at a reasonable height and distance and I've had time to correct my error, but I can no longer line a model up accurately enough for the Sportsman's (F3C style) schedule.

I've even been struggling a bit with fixed-wing! At this rate, in not too many years, it'll be back to control-line for me....!

[old gimmer]

I have been flying helis since 1986 and up until last year my main interest was scale which meant that I never really pushed my ability beyond that level of flying until I just suddenly lost interest sold the scale machines and decided to have a go at this madness of 3D I am just progressing into inverted circuits you are never too old to do it I hit 73 years of age this month and I am very pleased with my progress though mother earth has got in the way a few times

[Jamin_00]

I keep reading on various forums how people use old age as their handicap for not flying well.

My view on this is utter rubbish, the only thing the younger generation has is the fact they probably have sharper reactions, probably due to the X-box / Playstation era.

How do you rate yourself as a flyer and what excuse do you use for not improving (other than crashing and cost)

I'm happy with my progress at 56 years old but do sim and fly a lot, what about you guy's.

I rate myself as a good sports flyer and my excuse for not improving is lack of flight time. Like Chris I can't stand the sim, boring as heck. If I wanted to improve then I would and put the sim time in and flight time but all I'm interested in is having a good time in my hobby believe it or not Which is why I have only been 2 or 3 times in the past couple of months. Not too much fun standing in a freezing field lol

As for the age bit I do think the youngsters have the edge as Paul says you do learn quicker so the older you get the more effort is required. But is that because the older you get the more sensible you normally are so you are always conscious of crashing your pride and joy and you are more conscious of cost too? Youngsters as said don't care too much I suspect. They crash and miraculously next weekend it is ready to go again

[tourerjim]

At a grand old young age of 58 I don't want to trouble you with my aches & pains me arthritis, crams in the legs me poor old eye sight cos I know you don't want to listen to me any more but when it comes to heli flying it takes my mind of it all.........haha.
Weather permitting I put every Sunday morning aside for flying as you always find wind starts to get up in the afternoons, I only got into heli's about 6 years ago & always been envious of those 3D boys but that was several years ago now as I've worked hard to get to there level, I always try & push myself to achieve something new whilst at same time keeping up with what I've learnt & can now class myself as a good 3D flyer & wont let age get in the way.

[3dx]

At 51, I'm just glad I'm able to even fly these damn machines
Had a flight today and tried to fly something that resembles an aerobatic sequence- not easy but a lot better since I've been putting in the hours on the sim- might even try my luck at this years grassroots !!!!!!

Even if I come last,I know I'll learn something,,,,

[jwatts007]

Time equals experiance, for me there is no short cut, lessons have helped a great deal and saved a lot of crashes, cannot see that being in my 50s is a handy cap, and I can be pretty quick when it is needed, a good pilot who has control of his model also has control of himself, all nice and relaxed and standing there like he is waiting for a bus, not too long ago I was putting holes in my thumbs, and my brain was hurting with the stress of it, there have been times when I have gotten angry with the heli and flown it harder, I find it funny how it affects me sometimes, being euthusiastic about it and enjoying the crack has got to be the most important things, and it takes as long as it takes, lifes a journey not a race............

[madgooner99]

Love the hobby

Love the people, love the challenges and love the technology.

Yes, maybe if i was 30 years younger i'd be progressing faster but TBH i dont give a f@@k...im a happy camper

Ray

[Sesame]

Well said Ray, got to agree, ok you may progress alot faster when your younger, but im just enjoying the journey.

Wish I could enjoy the Sim more maybe i'd progress alot better if I did some Sim training, but alas even with a plan I still find it hard to go for more than 10 mins without getting fed up with it.

Another interest I bet youve all developed is a serious interest in the weekend weather

[Dudifiedad]

haha U said it right. I hate it when people use the excuse that there reactions are bad. I am 15 and wouldn't say my reactions are fast. i don't think reactions are part of this sport unless you are 3ft of the ground.

[cupracing]

Nothing to do with age IMO. Remember these youngsters have alot of time on their hands and spend hours on the sim as they do when they game it on ps3/xbox. I used to spend hours on computer games when I was young. As you get older you have more responsibility and these take away your time hence its slower to progress to the same level.

You don't need lightning reactions to be a great 3d pilot but you do if you want to smack it. But the more I see this type of flying now, the less I like it. Tareq for instants bores me in about a minute. I like the smooth accurate stuff from the like of Kyle Dahl myself.