Introduction

SicSRT-4 · Post by **SicSRT-4** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:41 pm

Hey guys, I just registered on here and figured that I would introduce myself a little bit. My name is Dave Stankiewicz, I'm from Connecticut, and I'm 22. I found out about you guys last year and I am in obsolute awe of the talent and dedication that you all have.

I've been a flight sim pilot for many years and am currently working on my real life license with about 30 hours logged. I was an avionics specialist in the U.S Air Force and am currently working as a licensed paramedic.

Without exaggeration, I have always dreamed of becoming a Thunderbird pilot for as long as I can remember. But, seeing as that is never going to happen for me

, I would love to have a chance to try-out for the Virtual Thunderbirds. I will be e-mailing Redeye with the request as soon as I am done typing this.

I look forward to meeting all of you and hopefully getting the chance to become part of the team. If anyone has any questions for me, please feel free to ask. Thanks!

Post by **Gunner** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:57 pm

Welcome to our forums! Back in May of last year when I was in your spot, making this team was just a dream. As the newest member of the team, I can tell you it's a ton of work, but so worth it...

You will be in good hands with Redeye - he's a fire captain, so you guys already have some common ground

Post by **Redeye** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:06 am

Welcome Dave! I got your email and sent a reply. Join us on Ventrilo when you're setup and we will go for a flight on my server.

Any questions can be asked on Ventrilo as they come up. What make of stick or HOTAS you use. What sims have you flown and if you have any experince in Lock-On? Flying in formation on computers over the internet is very challenging and a huge amount of fun.

See you on Ventrilo.

SicSRT-4 · Post by **SicSRT-4** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:29 pm

Thanks for the welcoming guys. Redeye, i'll be logging onto ventrilo as often as i can, but just to answer your questions here..i am currently using a Saitek X52 with CH Pro Pedals. As far as sims i've flown..lol..i think it's more of what sims HAVEN'T i flown

...but anyway, i've had every MSFS since '95, the entire Flight Unlimited series, both pro pilots, FLY!, Falcon 4.0, CFS 1&2, Aces High II, Pacific Fighters and many more

Aviation, both sim and real world, has definately been my life since i was about 6..lol.

I've been flying LOMAC for about 3 months now and am putting in about 3-4 hours flight time almost every night. So i can guarantee that you'll definately be seeing a lot of me..lol.

I'm fully aware that formation flying is extremely challenging, but that's exactly why i'm so facinated with it. Sim flying is fun, but i haven't really found anything i would consider to be a challenge with it. I think precise formation flying with people that actually know what and why they are doing it is the exact thing i've been looking for. It will give me a reason to practice something for months to make sure i'm perfect at it.

See you guys online!

Post by **Redeye** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:08 pm

Good stuff Dave
See you on Ventrilo

Post by **Lawndart** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:35 pm

SicSRT-4 (However it's pronounced),

We're still striving for that perfection and have yet to reach it! I should be online Wednesday or Thursday evening and I was tentatively planning on meeting another fella for a "Phantom ride" (pre-recorded track to practice from). If you're interested, check in sometime in the middle of the evening(s) and if you're serious about it I can also give you some "study material" and point you in the right direction. In the mean time search through the Flightline forum. There are many (old) threads with tons of tips, including everything from technique and control inputs, joystick curves and more!

Also be sure to check out our audio page for show comms. We use the same exact phraseology when flying (live) and needless to say, any videos you can find online with the Thunderbirds in their present will help a lot too when piecing together the many levels of the air show. There are heaps of information and knowledge to learn and once a goal is reached, new ones and new knowledge presents itself, but it's that goal of trying to fly a perfect show that keeps us going (since it is such a demanding profile to do right)! It will likely never happen, but in the mean time you learn so much more about the show and the Thunderbirds on an entirely deeper level than the average airshow spectator will ever see.

How's that for incentive?!

Cya soon!

[Edit: Wednesday and/or Thursday evening]