Allow me to introduce to you Mr Harvie Hardnock, a member of the AMA for almost 28 years and an active pilot in District 8 from the New Mexico area. In the last year, Mr. Hardnock was selected as an ambassador for FMS and RcBatteries.com due to his excellent flying and commitment to the hobby.
This was our first interview of the series, and who better to select than Mr. Hardnock? So for this first article for our District 8 website, we will talk all about Mr. Hardnock, his flying, and his involvement in the AMA. We set down for some Q&A to get to know Mr Hardnock.
But before we start with the Q&A lets introduce who Mr Harvie Hardnock is. He is has been in the hobby for over 28 Years. His vast knowledge of Radio control includes Cars from 1/10 scale FMS Rock crawler “Atlas” to the FMS Airplane from P-47 to Viper jet. He has been an ambassador to FMS now for one year and also with RcBatteries.com.
Well we did an interview with MR Hardnock and asked him a few questions which some of our District and US modelers will like to know more about how everyone call him “Harvie” and what he does for our Hobby.
Q: How did you started with Hobby?
A: Well my first model that started me on flying was the Champ from Eflite I taught myself to fly with this model. One day i went to the park and saw this kid with his mom and he was flying this airplane and I said to myself if this kid can fly this airplane I know I can do this. So I went ahead got my airplane and went to the same park to fly, I tried to hand launch my airplane and told myself I can do this. If that 8 year old can fly I know I can do it, from there it all started from me. The more I flew the more confidence I got to fly and moved to other models.
Q: So what is your favorite airplane?
A: I got so many favorite airplanes, during the year I have flew many manufacture but FMS airplane has been the one that stock with me one in particular the 1700 F7F Tigercat. the attention to detail for me is 5 star. Details like the F-86 will be the one on jets that hands down I like, the scale from air brake to flight characteristic. There is no other, on the market that you can compare with 4 min of flying on a 5000 rcbatteries Lipeair is amazing. I also like the bigger airplanes and the majestic on how they fly. On scale feature the f7f is why I say is my favorite.
Q: How did you became an ambassador for FMS?
A: Two years ago is when I came in to contact with FMS, just the luck of the draw I got this opportunity. Well it was with the Tigercat that this all started with the issue on the nose gear which was defective and I decided to email the CS from FMS. Rachel from CS was real nice helpful took of me, once she took care of me I kept communicate with her and keep the line open and from there after i got my YouTube channel I send her link and I also mention if there is anyone higher up to share and get recognition. So I continue doing the YouTube channel reviews an a past year. The FMS representative saw my facebook a year ago and it took off from there. Only been brand ambassador for a few month it was December when i started to be an ambassador for FMS.
Q: When did you started being an ambassador to RcBatteries?
A: Kinda the same thing like FMS just talking on email I ask if they will like a representative for an event at my local club, and someone to post in YouTube and Facebook. It took off from there and this batteries will not let you down.
Q:What do you enjoy the must of being and ambassador for this companies?
A: going to this event and meet real nice people, meet some of the must amazing pilot and getting to know new people. Talking about the product airplane from FMS and batteries.
Q: What will you recommend to a new person starting this hobby what to do and what to fly?
A: Go to your Local club and get in touch with there instructor. I always suggest to go an talk to those instructors of the club about beginner program and use the club trainer before you go out and Buy an airplane. Airplane I will suggest for someone starting in this hobby will be the FMS 1200 mm ranger one of the reason is not a big plane or little, takeoff and landing with the spring load strut makes it easier for beginner pilot so when they bounce they will not break. The flying characteristic are also very stable and perfect platform for a beginner pilot.
Q:How long have you been a member of the AMA
A: 28 years
Q: Have you ever though you will be in the position that your at as a ambassador for FMS and RcBatteries
A: No when I first start the my YouTube channel never expect that I takeoff like it did or dream where I am now, I feel very lucky and proud of what I do for this hobby.
Q: which is your favorite type of flying (scale,pattern, …)
A: I have always been a warbird flyer, WWII warbird the scale and how they fly is what got me going. Also I have always had a high wing airplane also for relaxing type flying, but recently I have been taking interest on jets and the rush of the flying jets.
Q: Have you done any competition like scale master or pattern.
A:As flying flying scale competition I never done any competition until one day I attend scale meet In Albuquerque NM. The Rc Club in Albuquerque and flew my first fly scale competition. The way they graded you is on a Scale appearance and flying. I flew my P-47 fms Bonnie, but on this P-47 we change the scheme to one that got capture P-47 and also took my P-51 red tails philippine shark of symbolic. I ended taking 1st P-51 and 3rd p-47
Q:What is your opinion on this new era of ARF, PNP against the old kits?
A: Never been a builder but did try it a long time ago. I tried building a kits but i guess i wanted to go fly right away. I do like ARF specially 60size. And of course the PNP from FMS which some of them you can have them ready to fly in 30 minute and flying that same day. But if you compare the ARF against foam airplane in my opinion the ARF going to fly better than a foam but I want to be quick and in the air so that is the advantage of the Foam airplane.
Well Harvie thank you for your time and for the interview, so folks as you can see a dream come true. Just remember if you don’t try you will never know what could happen and maybe one day you can be just like Harvie and Ambassador for a prestige brand.
With this i will say until the next article and remember always to HAVE FUN AND FLY SAFE.
Chico
AVP District 8
Here is the YouTube channel link: https://www.youtube.com/@starsandstripesrc8475