[RCSE] Icons and more Icons and Joe.

[PresSvss]

In preparation for Spring Fling, which is this coming Saturday and Sunday,
all of our club batteries where out being checked and charged.  So I pulled
out my Tim McCann winch and we start making a day of it.  I had the
opportunity to help a new member, Bob, with his new Icon.  This is the second
one I have flown and although I still love my Millennium, I'm trying to find
a way to justify an Icon.  I know the popular opinion is that it really boils
down to the Pilot, but you all have to admit that we have seen some break
through planes that have made a difference.  

Terry Bratton has his Icon ready for Spring Fling and Bob's was set up using
Terry's help.  Bob also had a more nose heavy set up and we did end up
removing some lead.  In almost every respect, Bob's Icon is a wonderful clone
of Terry's.  Bob is flying his on an 8103 so no slider for camber, you use
the flap stick.  Wow, another great flying plane!  And I can see one big
advantage over my Millennium.  The size.  The Icon is much easier to see than
my Millennium.  I think the different profile of the larger wing helps with
ID also.  It does stand out when flown against other planes.  For me, it was
real easy to spot it when flying next to the 4 other Millenniums in the air.  
I also got a chance to fly in the same air and areas being used by the
Millenniums.

One thing I noticed on both Icons is how nicely the Icon turns and with
camber I can really core good air without snapping.  I know this might be
contrary to how you fly but I like to take maximum advantage of good air when
I can.  I mean mostly the first part.  We all try to maximize good air but I
like to climb as fast and as high as I can.  If I snap, I figure the thermal
has moved, slowed, topped out or I am being too aggressive.  So I like to use
camber and bank and pull elevator in good air.  I managed to slow the Icon
down and got a few wobbles but didn't manage to snap it.  This might be
explained in some part that I can see it better and make fewer mistakes.  

Bob's Icon is another fine example of the quality of the plane.  Terry's Icon
was just so nice that I wondered if Maple Leaf didn't put a little extra
effort into Terry's Icon, knowing that Terry is a real big Cheese at RC
Country.  Bob, although a formidable power pilot, is a new comer to TD and at
this point an unknown.  Bob's Icon shows the same high quality fit and finish
and just like Terry's Icon is strangely quiet in the air.  

So just as I'm packing up to leave a little early, another new guy and
another Icon.  Could be we'll have 3 flying in Spring Fling, or will it be 4
Joe?    

And lastly, just before I wrote this, I saw that Joe Wurts was flying a BF
Icon to 4th place.

Joe, are you really coming to Spring Fling and can you share your ideas about
the Icon.

Carl
SVSS