I began building models with my father when I was about 5 years old.
My first solo build was when I was about 8 or 9. I was building stick and tissue models with rubber motors without much luck, as I knew nothing about weight and balance. At about 12, I bought a Cox P-40 and started flying Control Line models with my school friends.
When I was about 24, a friend gave me a transmitter and receiver that he had tried to fly in a radio controlled plane without any success.
After many failed attempts, I finally made a successful flight with a small plane with a Cox engine. Due to life issues, I was not able to continue flying for several years. When I moved to Seguin, Texas, I found a club and built a plane. With help from several members, I finally soloed in about 1990. I have now retired and moved to White Oak, Texas, and fly with the East Texas Aero Modelers.
