Moderator's Thoughts

[Ric Duley]

Hi Everyone!
I've been appointed as the Moderator of the Thermal forum. I'm looking forward to helping this area grow and prosper, where we can share our ideas and thoughts. Your participation is the key to making that happen.
I'm just here to help keep things on topic and insure discussions are kept respectful. I've always found pure sailplane flyers to be a mellow group and don't anticipate that being any different here.
I've flown sailplanes for many years, first starting back in the early 70's. I stepped away from the hobby while job/child/family responsibilities took precedence, but since returning to the hobby I enjoy it now more than ever.
I also fly some "parkflyers", powered sailplanes and slope, HLG and even a few MHLG. I like to build but also have a few ARF type planes. I have several old classic type sailplane kits on the shelf I plan to build soon, starting with an Oly II.
I still love flying a pure sailplane. Searching out and finding a thermal still gives me the thrill it first did many years ago.
I'm certainly not an "expert". I first joined Ezone so I could learn and expand my horizons. I probably learn something new every day here.

[Tim Jonas]

mauilvr unmasked!

I am so proud of you Ric....sniff, sniff.....it is the happiest moment of my life.....

well, maybe not.

looks like I'll have to hang out here once in a while.

cheers,
tim

[Ric Duley]

Aw shucks, Tim, you're getting me all choked up here......<shuffles feet>.....I'm getting kinda misty eyed........:o

[Tim Jonas]

I wanted to moderate the Blimp discussion forum...but they wouldn't have me...you know...being a loose cannon and all..

[Duke58]

Well Ric you've done it now! seriously though the thermal crowd is layed back , I've even heard that they sometimes fall asleep while flying. :rolleyes: Good Luck and I'll stop by once in awhile to stir things up.

[Petri Nygren]

Ric,


Is this right place for FAI talk, F3B and F3J? Any other forums for it if not?


Petri

[Flu-Guy]

try... http://www.f3zone.be/forums/index.php

It is new and there are not many people on it.

Alex

[Ric Duley]

Hi Petri:
Sounds great to me!

[Gliderguy]

What a deal! Finally a place for us Gliderguys to hang out. Bout time to take the thermal hunters out.:D

Gliderguy

[Ric Duley]

Hi Gliderguy:
Welcome! I agree - I think this will become a popular place, especially once people find it. IMHO there is nothing more fun or exciting than flying a pure sailplane.
There are some very knowledgable people on these forums so I know I for one will learn a lot. :)

[NickW]

Howdy, I think someone from the Ezone, or perhaps our new moderator (congrats!) should send a nice email to RCSE , F3J lists etc, announcing these new forums. I think many people on RCSE (myself included) would much prefer this style of posting and gathering info. An email announcing a strictly soaring set of discussion groups with a great search function etc may go a long way to bringing more people into this forum. So if any of you are on any of the soaring lists howbout an email to the group trying to get more people on here!

Nick Wisdom
Orlando, FL

[KLH]

Ric, congrats.
Don't think they/we could do much better than you in this spot.
Guess I'll have to dust off one of my sailplanes and go hunt for some thermals this summer. Got my Tipsy into one last week but got concerned when it almost got out of sight because of the limited range on the RX in it.
This should be a fun job for you, and we may learn a thing or two from some of the really good flyers out there.
Good luck with it.

Kern

[Ric Duley]

Hi Nick,
I followed your idea and did send an email to RCSE. As I come across other soaring related sites I'll get the word out.
If you or anyone else have some specific ideas on where to send an announcement please let me know and I'll be sure to get out an appropriate email.

[DNA]

HA ...

I was looking for one of mauilvr's posts (can't imagine why) and
I couldn't find it and couldn't even find a member by that name.
I thought you were banned and here you got promoted.

Go figure.

[Ric Duley]

DNA:
Here I am, quietly hiding out over here, minding my own business and you have to go and divulge my true identity. :rolleyes:
Now they probably WILL ban me. :p

[Terry Lyttle]

Not moderator's thoughts!!! Oh, wait... this is Thermal sailplanes, no problem.

Yeah, welcome to the Sunburned Tonsil Brigade; I cannot think of an activity that loosens the mind more than thermal flying, particularly if there is not a contest on. I used to hate hanging my Oly into a real boomer, just in time for a timer to tell me I have 90 seconds to land!

Hope your tenure as Moderator supplies you with lots of hints and little controversy; sounds like the ideal setup to me.