How long have you been in the model aircraft hobby: "Well, for as long as I can remember".  When Roger was a few years old, Roger remembers that his dad would get him small balsa airplanes to fly.  As he got older, his mom and dad would buy him plastic airplane kits to put together.  Building those balsa and tissue airplanes were fun for Roger, but Roger wanted more from the hobby.  Then in 1978 his dad got him his first R/C kit to put together, a Top Flight Head Master.  Over the years Roger has built many R/C aircraft kits but never got to the point of flying.  "I enjoy building, as long as I don't fly them, I don't crash them".    

What other types of models do you build: Roger enjoys building and flying model rockets...  high power rockets.  Seems that Roger has a passion for scale R/C war ships.  Plus he has a 1/14 Tamiya semi-truck that he enjoys also.  "I would have to say that building my ships is my favorite.  Most of the building of them requires allot of scratch building, fabricating parts by casting and allot of research".

1/39th scale model of PG-88 USS Crockett

Roger working on his 1/96th scale model of CG-54 USS Antietam AEGIS cruiser.

So, how long have you been flying:  Roger joined MAM in 2007 and started flying then.  "I wanted to join sooner but other things would always come up in my life that prevented me.  I didn't feel that I should join the club if I didn't have the time to support it.  So in 2007 when things fell into place and I joined.  I wish I had been able to join sooner".

Did you use a MAM Instructor: YES.  "I got the help of Steve Bueschel.  He and I both are retired Air Force and work very well together.  He and I both have the same ideas about model aircraft".

How was Steve as an Instructor: "Great.  Steve talked with me to help him get an idea of my knowledge of flying model aircraft.  He helped me check over my aircraft and trimmed it out.  It was a smooth process of getting the plane ready then for me to fly it.  Although Steve never used a buddy cord with me, he was never far away".  Roger states that Steve would always ask "how do you feel"?  

Steve checks out Roger's NexSTAR before it's first flight.

When Steve instructs, he is never far away to lend a helping hand IF you need it

When was your first solo: "Well, that happened on May 27, 2008.  I think it happened rather quickly, but the experience using Real Flight really paid off".

Roger lands his NexSTAR to end his solo.

What did you want to do after you learned to fly R/C: "I told Steve that I would be happy with just being able to come out here by myself and fly.  You know, just fly around the field and be able to land by myself.  I later found out that this would not be the case when I flew my Contender.  I then wanted to learn aerobatics".

Do you have any advice for someone learning to fly R/C: "Yes, I feel that Steve said it right when he told me: If at all possible, learn from an instructor.  Getting an instructor gives you the ability to ask questions and to get their knowable advice.  An instructor will help you build, set-up and ready your plane for flight.  Also, the use of a flight simulator is a great way to get a head start at learning to fly". 

What plane would you recommend for the new comer to R/C:  The Hobbico NexSTAR 46.  This RTF (ready to fly) model is ready to fly in about 30 mins.  It is packaged with everything you need plus the Nexstar edition of Real Flight. 

What radio system do you use: Fatuba

Is the NexSTAR the only aircraft you have flown: "No.  After my solo I continued flying the NextSTAR while I built the Top Flite Contender kit.  I thought that since I liked to build and I wanted a low wing pattern type aircraft, this would be the one to build".  Roger started building the kit on a bet from his wife.  "She bet me I couldn't get the kit, build it and fly it with in one month.  Not only did I do it but she had to pay me $200.00 that I put on yet another air plane.  I enjoy building and even added extra things like markings for an ALASKA based aircraft and custom decals for my son's nickname BULLDAWG".  

Top Flite Contender after it's first of tank of fuel.