I began in 1967 building Estes rockets in 2nd grade. I built and flew several Guillow's models during those early years. My parents recognized my interest in model airplanes and in 1969 they purchased me my first Cox .049 Control Line, the green P-51. I flew that for several years as I began to learn to build. I built more Carl Goldberg Stunt Man 23's and Swordsman 18's than I can remember.
I soon began flying 19 and 35 size Control Line thru junior high school. My father bought me my first Radio in 1972. A Gold Kraft Sport Series 5 channel. I think I sent that radio back in for repair 100 times since every crash usually meant a new crystal.
I came up thru the school of hard knocks teaching myself to fly R/C. As some of you know I'm sure, this is a long and trying road. But patience and desire soon paid off, and soon I was flying Sterling Minnie Mambo's with Cox .049's and getting the hang of it. I joined the Navy as a Naval Aircrewman out of High School in 1977. I flew over 5,000 hours in the Lockheed S-3A Viking over a 20-year span. Throughout that time, I was still able to stay active in model aviation.
I recently retired from my second career in 2017 and have now become a permanent R/C enthusiast. I still build old school with balsa and silkspan. I have mastered the art of painting with Butyrate dope for beautiful finishes. I flew several years in SAM building and flying Vintage and Antique RC assist Free Flight. During the 80s, I flew extensively AMA pattern with 60s, pipes, and retracts. That love has never left me as I still enjoy the scream of a well-tuned 60 on a pipe. Recently over the last few years I fulfilled yet another dream of owning and learning to use a Diode laser for cutting my own kits. This has really changed the game as now any digital plan can be reproduced with laser cut parts.
I currently reside in Northeastern Wyoming and serve as the Safety Officer for the Gillette Sagehoppers RC club. This is a nice small, tightknit club that has plenty of support and enjoys a very nice facility. Model aviation has not been an obsession with me. It has been a lifelong passion.
