We had an early start down at the Catalina RC, we arrived down at the field about 7am and it was packed! As we got out of the car, we noticed that a few other bigger planes were on the flightline, Seth Arnold, Brendan Jones and the Godfather Quique Somenzini! We were also greeted by the ever friendly bunch of club members! My dad and I started to introduce ourselves to Seth etc., as I was chatting to Tom Arnold, Seth’s dad who is a really nice guy, Quique comes up and says hello Matthew, I’m Quique how are you? Now when your idol and an aeromodelling legend walks up and knows who you are without being introduced it makes you a little bit gobsmacked!! Once I’d picked my chin up from the ground we chatted for a good 5mins and he was really nice and interested in our trip! Quique & Seth then flew their freestyle flights, both were superb! It was then my turn to do some freestyle. We had fitted the smoke pump and increased the rates a little so it was good to go! I kept it simple the plane felt good in 3D, I did some low harriers both ways up and rolling, a little bit of hovering all the basic stuff, smoke worked good too, as well as at home! Overall very happy with it’s performance, we also worked out a simple way to keep my resolution the same for my sequences through the Powerbox Royal, so that hasn’t been sacraficed!!
Quique then flew his T12 biplane, man that is cool, 50lb weight, DA200 on 4tuned pipes and a 32×13 bolly prop, it sounded awesome, noisy but awesome! He flew a few sequences and it & he was going well! I had a good few flights, QQ agreed to help me with my sequences, he watched my unlimited routine, then gave me some hints and tips! His way of explaining things is so simple! He also gave me some really cool techniques on how to do stuff, way beyond what I’m doing/know back home!
I then flew a bit more using QQ advice, he came out when I was flying and adjusted a few things for me, it really made the plane feel better and I thought it was spot on as it was! I really learnt the most I’ve ever done today, in my flying career, they call QQ the master he sure is! I think i’m honoured to be able to have spent time like this with an all time great, if not the greatest ever person to fly model aeroplanes and off course the current world champion! After watching him flying his T12 and his Python freestyle plane, I believe he truely is the best I’ve ever seen and I’ve been lucky to see the CPLRs, Lesebergs, Hydes etc., his control of the python biplane in 3D was unreal, he was doing harriers in about the size of an indoor hall, his torque rolls where immense just a blur!! I think I want a python!! LOL
During one of our breaks from the intense sun, QQ started to chat about his Dad and the times they spent back in Argentina. The got up to some crazy stuff. It took QQ only one flight to be solo! Amazing! He was really relaxed and was laughing and joking about things. It was a truely special day for me, one I’ll never forget! The good thing is that I get to do it all again tomorrow! I could write all night about today, it sounds silly but this is a dream come true!
After all that when you thought things couldn’t really get much better, we headed down to TRCC to let Tony Russo know how our new prop worked out, (it worked out good, no more 30×12 for me it’s a ??.?x?? Now! LOL). TRCC had been busy, John Geizilies, Mark L, Gernot, the animal Andrew Jesky been practising all day. We talked to Tony and he invited us over to his place for Pizza! On the guest list also was Andrew Jesky and cheeseburger (aka Mark Leseberg). That was a lot of fun! Those guys in a relaxed environment are cool to hang out with, Mark really relaxed with us and we got a really good insight into what makes him tick, how he mentally prepares himself, he also gave me a master class in American football, the rules etc., so a great end to a great day! Mark wants to come over to Ireland to play golf and fly! That would be a treat! We are going to exchange details, he must have talked to my Dad for a good half hour about coming over to compete, I think my dad even offered him a plane to fly!! Thanks to Tony, his wife and family for letting us invade their house! Pretty lucky to have dinner with these guys, many would kill for that!
Tomorrow should be good, Mark is coming to fly with us at Catalina, Mark & QQ flying together! Can’t wait!!
Matt
Ps a big thanks to Bill Disney again for some great photos!
Tags: imac, matthew poots, Tucson Shootout