Well, it’s been 3 weeks since your heli school here in Denver, CO. Work and weather had conspired against me getting in any flying since you were here until yesterday. I was afraid that the time between would wipe out the progress I made, but as soon as I got back in the air, your words of “Just do it!” rang in my head. Here are some of my thoughts on the class.

I had heard from one of my local flying buddies that he had arranged for Todd to come out and teach a heli clinic and stay for our first fun fly of the season the following days. With only one slot left in the class, I snatched it up and am glad I did!

This is only my 3rd year flying helis and had not flown RC since my airplane days as a kid. I immediately became addicted to the fun and challenge helis provide and got into the hobby hard core, including becoming a local rep for a heli company. Like many of the rest of us, my simulator skills far exceeded my actual flying skills and while I was progressing, I felt I should be further along in my flying.

From the moment we all met Todd, it was like running into an buddy. His easy going style just made everyone comfortable. Day one was going over set up, which was good as the weather was a typical stormy Colorado spring day. We had good weather the next day and got right to flying. Todd got us comfortable flying much higher than I was used to and showed just how much time we had to recover from a screwed up manuever. My comfidence grew with each sesssion and now I am comfortable trying pretty much anything and will slowly work my way down in altitude as perfect each new trick. I don’t spend forever setting up for each manuever as I know I can recover when I blow it and flow different tricks together. Since I am usually the guy that helps new heli pilots at the field, Todd also taught me to buddy box others and have already been able to help others progress in the hobby.

If you are wondering if you should attend one of Todd’s schools, ask yourself if you are progressing as you hoped to or if your real flying skills are lagging well behind your sim skills. If you can answer yes to either one, Todd will get you further along in a couple of days than you would in months or years of practice on your own. On top of that, you will have a blast! “Just do it!” LOL

Don Kinnison

Denver, CO