@@beargillium2369 peter is doing he's own thing because he was pushing the limits of what flite test could provide. he's projects are more dangerous and expensive so that's why he started his own thing.
David. You were my favorite host on flite test you always had the fun and crazy ideas. You are missed and if you are still in the RUclips community please link your chanel. I will subscribe. Hope all is well in your world
I remember about 3 years ago, I was in a bad way, ptsd from my time in the army and injuries I had made me, let's say suicidal. I was up one night in so much pain that I was in tears and found this video from flite test. It was a hilarious episode and had me laughing. I had always wanted to fly a rc plane, but as most, the cost of crashing was too great for me. I saw them making airplanes from foam and saw how much fun they were having, and it lit something in me. I bought one of the kits and asked my step dad, who we've always had bad blood between each other. We went out to a small soccer field and both were laughing up a storm over me flying and crashing. Since then me and my step dad have gotten along and haven't had 1 argument in 3 years. I'm no longer on depression or anxiety meds. And have a wife mad at not being able to park in our garage due to all my planes and rc cars. In a way, flite test kinda saved my life. Without finding the channel and building my confidence back up I don't know where I would be today. Anywho, that's my story. Thank you Josh and everyone else that put all this together. There are people like me out there that never really had any support and hobbies like this are exactly what we need. With that said I hope they include veterans in some of their special episodes. Im sure lives would be changed like mine was.
Glad RC aviation helped you and you’re doing well now. My story isn’t as dramatic as yours, but building and flying RC planes kept me out of trouble in my formative years, since I grew up in a not great part of the city and went to a rough inner city school. While my friends were getting in trouble, I was in the basement building or at the flying field. Back then all my planes were nitro powered since electric motors were heavy, underperforming and the battery technology wasn’t great.
Truly thankful and proud to be part of the FT Family! Also grateful for all the friends and team members that have made Flitetest What is today? We all share a commitment to celebrate the love of both flight and people. This vision is much bigger than any of us individually. Excited to see what was created in Chads garage continue to grow thanks to this amazing community. Thanks Everyone!
Thanks Josh! I am an ex-Qantas Avionics Aircraft Maintenance Engineer who spent 10 years rebuilding Boeings and yet you taught me a thing or two about flight! I no longer work on the 'real 'thing' but the satisfaction I gained watching a 747 or 767 leave my hangar and launch into the air is the same as watching my foamies fly. Cheers mate!
Josh - thank you so much for the support and for making this video possible. Without you - Ben, myself, and so many would not be where they are today in our flying family. Hope to fly with you soon. -Zach & Ben
Great story! Another channel that inspired many of us was RCSuperpowers. One of the very first "RUclips Partners" . Unfortunately Dave sort of fizzled away, got burned out and stopped producing anything.
Oh yes! RCSuperpowers! "One more flight!" I miss those silly times of YT, when it was mostly silly videos from the common folks experimenting stuff and showing their hobbies instead of the mega productions and political commentary that spams and plagues YT today.
Glad you started it all Chad. I hope all is good in your world since. You guys inspired me in flying rc and starting a RUclips channel just for fun. You are appreciated
Great story. I'm 78 and have wanted to learn to fly RC most of my life. Flite test gave me a financial entry level that I was comfortable with and it offered a hobby that appeared to be fun to enter. I'm retired and was looking for something new and interesting to start. I've built three planes. I was able to fly one of my builds but decided I need more flight capability, so I bought a carbon cub with all the bells and whistles. I've crashed it in multiple neighbors back yards so I'm still learning. I know your focus is geared to the younger side, but I thought you might like to know there is at least one old guy out there who has enjoyed what you are creating and who continues to be interested in new products as they come out.
Craig, your not the only old guy … I’m just a few years behind you … I’ve bought three Flight Test foamies and did a back yard flyer magazine pair of flying food tray foamies just for fun ! They turned out to be great lawn mower non flying but fun building experiences wrong batteries and or underpowered motor….? I’m into the hobby again after a 42 year hiatus with kids house building and 8 or ten different jobs thrown in between … there’s a lot to be said for the dollar tree foam board flyers these “kids” and now us older pile0ts are attempting to get in the air! Now with the power packs and all the autopilots that take some of the fear factor out we can learn and have fun in the process… Josh and his sons and flight crew make [[laughing at our poor inexperienced piloting]] a lot more fun .. hot glue or foam safe crazy glue and a couple of minutes wait and your back flying again …. Not like the times when we were kids doing stick an tissue works of art! Let alone flying toilets ikea chairs tanks and battle ships …I’ve never laughed so hard!! So just get and keep trying and flying … I got with a group of guys that meet at Coyote Canyon Recreational Park called the “Old Geezers” … all about our age … and we laugh and it’s a hoot. . . Just keep going! Having fun Ed in Phoenix writes
Craig Hill...add me to you demographic. I have a Private Pilot's License, not active. Doesn't mean I have to stay home. Yes, I also wanted a hobby to take to the skies! I'm surprised how much of my old training has come back in spades.
Dude, I'm 55 and got into miniquads 6 years ago. I'm feeling out fixed wing right now., Age means nothing as long as you're sharp. My introduction to RC was when I was 6 years old. My parents took me to fly kites at a place in the UK that was common for RC enthusiasts to go, and I was always more interested in the planes than the kite. That would be about 1974/5 when most of the stuff was still home-made.
I'm a 4th year Engineering student that loves airplanes and I've always wanted to work in the aerospace field. Sometime last summer I saw some guy on Instagram who works on full scale rockets as his job, and then comes home and makes his own little model rockets as a hobby. I remembering thinking that was so cool and wanting to be like that with airplanes. I then sat for a couple seconds until I realized "Wait, what's stopping me?" So that afternoon I went and ordered the FT Trainer kit and have been building my own model airplanes ever since. A few months after I began doing that, I was able to land a job at Lockheed Martin as an Aeronautical Engineer and one of the things that the person who interviewed loved the most was my little model airplanes that I make in my free time. If it wasn't for Flite Test I almost certainly wouldn't be where I am today. I start at Lockheed in about 6 months.
I was with Lockheed Martin for just shy of 24 years at SLC4E yes now home to Space X at Vandenberg AFB.... (( I wanted to quit every 5 years but Stayed)) I was and Still @ 73 an avid Flyer builder experimenter and the "W H Y" monster still bites my ankles daily ... I need a Garage to set up and play in big time ... I'm in the Burbs living in a Condo in Phoenix Arizona at the moment ... I've got a 38+ year love of Hybrid dirigibles and have an idea that to this day would revolutionize the transportation industry overnight .. BUT I need a big push at the moment!!! I've invested in radio gear to make things happen ... Just be you, create be innovative and consistently strong .. blessings and God bless you and what you love to do ... Ed in Phoenix Arizona writes.
Wow, I got goosebumps from your story. I love it how, after thinking " one day I'd like to be like that ", suddenly the 'well, why not?' thought came up. From wishful thinking to immediate action. It's so interesting because sometimes we are our own biggest obstacle... anyway congrats on getting into your desired career.
Great stuff and you'll do very well. Perhaps for you, going to "work" won't feel like going to "work"! My son and I have scratch built and flown RC planes for a few years and now he's joined the Australian Air Force Cadets. Who knows - perhaps he'll end up following a similar path to yours, which would be so wonderful. All the best and cheers from Sydney - Dave
Fast build a concept and show it flying using your Flite Test fast build techniques and it would be most impressive to the Lockheed folks. Nothing is more fun than seeing it in real time in the air, even better than a complex simulation. I guess your flying buddies will have to sign non-disclosure contracts if they want to fly with you ;-) I've been building, designing and flying RC and unguided models since I was 8 years old but took a hiatus for 20 years while flying Real aircraft, gliders, motor glider, paragliders, Ultralights but came back around to models as I near retirement. Love being able to create and test my own designs.
I'm an atheist but Josh is the only person ever to make me hope there truly is a God that loves him back as much as Josh is kind, and loving, and wholesome and faithful, and ironically, down to earth. I've been away from the hobby for about a decade, but I was there when Flite Test started and it will always have a special place in my heart, along with Josh and Josh.
Believe it brother! Look at the beautifully designed world around you. It is corrupted and flawed because of sin, but can you look at the incredibly, intelligently designed system of a human or other creature and say it was random chance, from a miracle explosion that created something out of nothing? I encourage you to look up videos of James White explaining proof of God, he was very helpful in my convincing of Christianity. I pray you would seek the truth on this matter and that the Lord will open your heart
Me too bro. I remember the first time I heard the Flite Test OG introduction and I was instantly hooked. My son was like 9 years old at the time and we were instantly taken with FliteTest and building RCs. We attended FliteFest in 16 and 17 and it was incredible memories. It was definitely a special time and the golden era of FliteTest. I stopped watching years ago.
I wasn't a pilot when I discovered flight test ! With the encouragement of taught me the basics and in 6 months I was flying ! Flight Test was my teacher and I thank them for it ! Josh Bixler is a great inspiration and he deserves the success that he has made ! Thank you flight test for all you do for your extended family !
I have a deep connection with Flitetest, mostly because they are the ones that fueled my interest in it. During the summer, about 4 years ago, before my dad got home from work I would watch as many videos as a can. And when my dad did get home, we went to fly! They really did have me hooked on the hobby and all it’s glorious ways. Thank you for this video.
as much as Flite Test has changed over the past few years, I still have an incredible appreciation for what they do. Especially with the nearing future of FAA rulemaking, Josh’s efforts are truly a hand from heaven
@@odinata Can you explain how? I am interested in hearing what you have to say because all this time I was blaming FPV and drones for all the negative attention.
@@rebel937 Sure. Flite Test used to focus on small model airplanes. Then they kept building bigger and bigger airplanes that could carry big payloads of weapons that they would use to shoot down other planes and drop bombs on things and generally draw the attention of the FAA and get the public riled up about how radio controlled model airplanes could be used as terrorist weapons. Basically they were just giving people ideas of how they could weaponize model airplanes instead of enjoying flying them for the fun of it
@@odinata if you think flite test was showing people or inspiring people to do that, I've got a bridge to sell you that connects to some oceanfront property in Nevada. People have been using model planes, and much more recently, DJI drones for years to drop payloads that go boom. It's nothing new, and the technology to do so will almost always be readily available
I’m 63 years old, watched plenty of Flight Test videos in my day. Even back when my internet connection was so slow it was a Channel I would sit and wait while it buffered to load up.. I connected with so many of the crew. A outstanding channel/ company. I felt like I had personal friends and it’s been a pleasure to watch what flight test has done for this hobby. God bless ya all . Still and forever a fan.
David got me into FPV in 2015. I don't think he realised how much of an impact he did on the community, at least to me. He moved on, and probably contributed in other areas. Thank you David Windestål and Flight Test.
I'm 62 this year. Josh, you have the personality that inspires people in an ageless way. I was inspired 15 years ago when I first saw you on flitetest. Believe me, your personality is one that has and will continue to inspire young people to join and enjoy the hobby. You have what you are hoping for in a new young person to inspire young people. Now, if retiring from flitetest is your unspoken goal, guest appearances are a must. The community, and anyone who has seen 10 or more episodes can easily recognize your passion for this hobby as it inspires people to fellowship with new memories. I, for one, hope you keep on keeping on with the show. All of you and the families working at flitetest truly are divinely positioned and it shows in all areas of the production and sales at flitetest. I thank God that I have been able to enjoy the shows and products, and mostly the opportunity it has provided me with to get back into a hobby that I thought was out of reach for me at my level of income while at home, taking care of my grandmother for poverty wage. May God continue to richly bless all of you at flitetest. I love you all.
I grew up watching them and have always been inspired by the group. I remember building a scrap plane out of foam board and fit it with the electronics from my crashed J3 cup model. I took my passion to flying the full size planes. Years later, I am now finishing my first year in the airlines as a first officer!
Because of “Flitetest” I got back into the hobby after 25yrs absence and started my own hobby aviation based vlog. Thank You guys keep up the good works. Your never to old to have fun 😅
I've been watching FliteTest since day one. I put off watching this because I was so afraid it was some effort at tearing down the people I had come to think so much of over the years. I'm so glad to see it wasn't what I had feared. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of bringing us FliteTest content and thank you also for being there to distract me through some very terrible family tragedies. I'm 67 year old and I'm still flying foam board creations because God brought FliteTest along at just the right time! 🤗🫶
I am very proud, of Flight Test. And was a subscriber from the beginning. It was the spirit, that spellbound me. I failed misrable, with my first and only RC car, as a 18 year old kid. But Flight Test gave me the confidence, to fly. I am now 52, and is still flying, thanks to Flight Test. I even work with real estate agents, to film and take pictures of houses and property with a drone. But my favorite is still a good stable Tri-Copter, but i have to live with the brand that have killed most of the hobby, DJI. I have so many good memory's from tha best time of Flight Test, and i still go back, and re-see episodes. It's a litlle shame, that the sparkeling enthusiasm is slowly draining out of the channel. But i owe you guys a LOT. Thanks to Chad, Josh, Joshua and David. You are legends.
Flite Test was instrumental in my getting into R/C aircraft.That was during the Josh and Josh era. I feel like the FAA is really over-reaching/over-regulating.
It's not just model aircraft now, it's also drones, park flyers, even off-road vehicles and 4x4's. It's almost as if the Karen/Kevin brigade can't stand anyone with an outdoor hobby! The FAA, like many Fed/State/Local governments are just so paranoid about "surveillance" that they believe aircraft and drone pilots make it harder to watch you. Do whatever you can to make the FAA and other "government organizations" leave well enough alone and let us enjoy the hobbies we love! I believe in safety just like the 99% of hobbyists, but you can't continue shoving safety down people's throats to forward an agenda.
Edit: For reference, I do drone flying and C/L flying. For newer people C/L is short for Control Line. Basically a gas or electric powered aircraft you fly in a circle with, and use a handle and your hand and arm to control the plane.
What a gift! 4 years ago I was nowhere in flying hobby and Flight Test was just my spare time vids. Now I am fully committed to fpv and I hope to grow!
Also - Awesome doc Zach. Your content has always impressed me for YEARS, but you are truly doing some of the best RC related content out there right now. Probably my favorite channel at the moment.
Big Mike's HC.. 👍up on that one. So refreshing to see all new and exciting aspects of out sport, which is in complete contrast to another RC channel I could mention!. Throwing empty boxes over ones shoulder and deleting any comments that fail to blow smoke up his a** is not for me I'm afraid!! Gotta be able to take any constructive criticism I say, rather than keep hitting the delete.. Anyway, that's my rant over!! lol You have another new sub... PS a light hearted comparison was made between each of the channels flying skills, and the many "likes" went in Tail Heavy's favor! That comment ain't there anymore!!
Great video. Well done for telling the story. I have watched every episode of FT since 2012 and watched all the back episodes as well, so the footage was familiar and the story pretty much pieced together. What was brilliant was hearing Chad and Josh give their takes on the whole process. At the age of 55, they allowed me to get into the hobby without feeling as though I was too old. They also encouraged me to connect with the local RC club and its members. It inspired me to learn to fly, build, design, 3D print and of course solder! I eventually became a commercial UAS pilot covering a number of events, surveys and photo shoots. All thanks to the enthusiasm and inclusivity of the ever evolving FT team. To say thank you, I contributed to the crowd funding for the new site and sponsored one of the flight stations. I am just one of millions (literally) and I hope they realise how thankfully and fondly they are thought of and that they continue to go from strength to strength.👍
Thanks for answering so many of my questions. When I met Josh at Edgewater he talked fondly about StoneKap productions, and that his vision was to reach out his ministry to more families and create bonds. I take my son to Flite Fest every summer now and we visit Edgewater as much as we can. I have built 38 FT designs and can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thanks for clearing up why some folks left. I have been watching them for many years and I was very sad to see Chad and David and Josh move on , but this puts it in context. Thank you
Maaaaan, I can SMELL things in this video. Memory is a weird thing. Awesome job guys. So thankful for everything I got to do with FT and where it allowed me to go in life.
I started watching Josh and Josh back in 2011 after I impulse bought my Champ... I miss the old videos.. the FliteTest intro is forever etched into my long term memory and will bring a smile to my face and warm fuzzies when I rewatch the old videos. Thank you Chad, wherever you are!
Great historic view of Flite Test! I was 50 years old when it came out and I was just getting back in the RC hobby. FT was a great inspiration and built many of their foam board planes. Thanks for many years of fun and education with this hobby.
My first Flite test plane was a Cub scout. Flew for a total of 47 seconds in 7 flights all ending in crashes. 4 props, 2 destoryed batteries and one smashed plane and I was smiling ear to ear with joy.
I'm so proud to be apart of the first Flite Fest, I spent a 12 hour travel day, 3 flights and a rental car drive to tent at the Venue. met amazing people who are still friends to this day, I got to Volunteer and stay to the bitter end helping and I got to be blessed with staying a night at the Bixlers residence instead of sleeping in my car. Josh and Jen truly are an inspiration of how they have reached and blessed SO many people!
I was an early "adopter" (and also have an unopened 3 plane kit they first offered)... The show did get a tad bit more "profit" driven (but it was an undertone, not a dominating feel).. I think the "spread the hobby" is a great goal and I applaud that... I still tune over there once in awhile and the "Flight Fest" is a hit... Am glad I came across them when I did.. I am sorry that the Gov't got involved.. Is inevitable however, people having fun are not allowed unless the Gov't approves..
I don't wanna know how long it took to edit this video, but it was definitely worth it. Such a great video. I wouldn't be in this hobby today without the good ole Josh and Josh days. Its almost time to start re-watching the channel from the beginning again for the 4th time. lol
Flight Test really deserve thanks for showing how cheap and easy it can be to find one's way into the hobby. In a world where video games and mobile phones dominate peoples' attention, it's heartening to see that a practical hobby like model building still survives, and brings people together. Thank you to the Joshes, Chad and all of the Flight Test family for bringing people together for some good old fashioned fun.
I first found Flitetest while browsing for reviews for different airplanes I was going to buy, I kind of miss the old times where they did a lot of reviews of new kits and models. I still follow Flitetest and this hobby has helped me so much through difficult times and periods of my life (PTSD) and being same age as Josh just makes it better. I will never stop this hobby
Been watching probably from somewhere near the beginning, and it is great to learn the history behind the channel, and how things progressed and how important family and faith were n forming such a great presence in this space. I used to “buddy box” kids when I was about 12yo, kids about my same age or older and use an old trusty nitro trainer loaned by an older gentleman who shared the love of teaching and helping with builds, he trusted me to train others flying while he assisted with some projects at the field. Mary old Park in Redmond WA, back in the 72mhz days! I am a private licensed airplane and helicopter pilot, and a father of three on a budget! I absolutely love the idea and implementation of the foamy builds and designs and being that my current RC model selection is a ratty unflyable Tundra and trex clone, I am excited to get going on one of those kits and share more flying with the kiddos!! God Bless Josh, this provides an opportunity to build and be flying quickly using my current electronics, and to anyone busy with a family first proper approach to things, this makes flying within reach without breaking the bank or taking precious time away from the wife and kids! To me it’s how you feel flying, not what you are flying, and these goalies have beautifully evolved into the ultimate form follows function with simple incorporated features that add scale looks and clever lines that almost anyone with a glue gun and sharp blade can build! I recommend everyone heck out the RUclips build tutorials to see just how great these kits are.
FliteTest definitely has done a lot for the hobby! We were also full time active members of Marymoor and Bryan’s youth club as kids. Believe it or not, he’s still at it every weekend. Amazing guy. I’m also now flying full scale professionally to pay the bills…and to pay for GA flying and the rc toys. 😁 It’s amazing what RC airplane addiction can do for a kid, and Flite Test definitely knows how to target youth well. -Zach
I come from a different era. I started building model planes back in 1947. Since then, I have built every plane, be it control line, free flight, or RC, from either kits or my own designs. I could never get any enjoyment out of flying something I did not build. Today very few build their own planes and have no investment in building. It is buy and fly. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it is just our way now, instant gratification has taken the place of building our next dream plane. I am 82 years old. I have flown both competition control line and RC. When the FAA decided to take our freedom away for no reason, I dropped out of the hobby altogether thanking God I grew up when we still had some freedom in this country. We use to fly on ball diamonds, on school grounds, and anywhere there was enough room to fly a model plane. Parks were one of the best places to fly. If people still built there own planes we would still be our own test pilots like we have always been. Transponders will soon be required in every model you have. And the government can track you no matter where you are or what you are flying. And if it is not a government allotted place, well, the results are devastating to say the least.
I see nothing has changed. Only now the government can spy on you along with any one else. The transponders are public information. Flyers flying alone have already been attacked. Thanks to the FAA, we are now considered terrorist by the general public. Are you guys continuing to fly without the regulations, or have you all registered all your planes and put transponders in all of them and taken the test? Can your organization do any more to get our freedom back? If not, what is the point?
A wonderful way of spotlighting FT's heritage. Flitetest is what got me into the hobby during my middle school years and brought so much joy and entertainment throughout my troublesome adolescent years. This video really did throw me back 10 years into nostalgia. It makes me happy to see how far they've come.
Growing up for me, The rc plane hobby was an elite society out of reach to me despite my fascination. Flight test came along and energized my fascination and I realized the new foam models were both durable and cheap. I started flying and having fun. I knew that Flight Test was Chad's baby with Chad being behind the scenes and Josh B. the host. I highly doubt Flite Test would have held my attention without David and Peter. I started to notice that Chad seemed to missing from the productions and Josh running things but never knew what had changed till today. I really miss those early episodes but realize People can't simply entertain me without being able to provide for their families.
Although they would have heard it many times, just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in Flite Test over the years and for all the work they've done. My dad and Flite Test are both equally responsible for getting me into this awesome hobby. Scratch building and flying foamies inspired me to design my own RC planes, become a full scale pilot, and study aeronautical engineering now. I wouldn't be where I am today without their dedication to inspire and educate new people starting out in RC, and the unique way in which they have done that. Thank you!
Just coming back to RC now. I really enjoyed those early days of Flight Test. The crashes, the mistakes, the learnings, the skills and mostly the guys. Thanks for the memories, cheers from Australia.
I've loved flite test since the first few episodes and I'm so happy they've thrived! I do miss the hood old days and the cool wacky stuff they used to do but there new stuff is really fun too! Thank you for such a great video on them explaining some of the history! It was a really nice stroll down memory lane!
This is a great story. My sons and I have been a fan of Flight Test for a long time. We've built several of the foam kits and fly them at my r/c club's airfield. It's really good to see that Josh is a man of faith. Josh, don't retire. You have at least 30 years left. You brought low cost r/c to the masses.
Hobby King is probably kicking themselves for fully cancelling the sponsorship like spoiled kids. But it sounds like that was the catalyst to force FT to sink or swim, and damn did they swim.
Many decade's ago I saw my 1st rc plane. Awesome! I discovered RUclips and Flight test when it was josh and josh. Well I'll be. Got the encouragement. Been flying for almost three years now. Thank you everyone!
Awesome documentary!!! I recognize alot from this in the past!!! I started flying DLGs because of the video Flite Test did back in the day with David Windestal!!! Oh and please do a colab!!! It would be awesome!!!
Wow how the years have gone by. Such an inspirational group. I remember watching the channel back in 2012 while waiting for my wife to finish her evening classes. Learning about how Flitetest has grown and growing with it has been a wonderful journey.
No hate here, but I am genuinely interested in knowing how much religion plays a role if you turn up to a FliteTest event? I don't even fly but have followed FT sinde Josh Scott's days and I do think of Bixler as a genuine dude. But I also believe religion is a very personal thing and that works both ways. Meaning, it comes with the right for people to not be preached to unless they specifically sign up for that. So, if FliteFest and build seminars start with group prayers and such, I may have to reevaluate how I think of them. Great video btw.
I am eternally grateful for Flite Test. They are the reason I got started in the hobby in 2013 and decided to start Wind Catcher RC in 2018. Without them, I don't think I would be where I am today. Thank you Flite Test for being awesome and a huge asset to the hobby, community, and families. and thank you Tail Heavy Productions for this fantastic video.
I live in Yakima, WA and I subscribed to Flight Test and purchased 3 kits from Josh and Josh many years ago. The Spitfire foam kit was my favorite ! Learned a lot from them on how to build foam core airplanes cheap. I few and crashed a lot , but had lots of fun. Always excited for the next RUclips video to learn more. The values Josh Bixler shared on the channel inspired me. I don't fly much any more but have my feet on the ground building RC cars now. I have nine RC cars three I have built from kits. Flight Test put me in the hobby of RC. I still have my Bix 3 from Hobby King that Josh recommend in memory of Josh Bixler! Oh yeah also have the shipping boxes with cut outs of three plane kits I got from FT so I can always build them again later. Thank you guys for what you did to me! Randall Robinson (RC Therapy on RUclips)
One of the worst things about RUclips today is that they removed private messages from the system. Often times people don’t want to leave comments that are visible to everyone. That is one of RUclips’s biggest shortcomings in the modern age. Great show as always! #stayepic
I’ve been in the hobby off and on for 45 years , I’m not the best pilot but far from the worst . I will say that I enjoy watching FliteTest videos , I’ve learned a lot in the construction ranges and enjoy how cheaply you can build a nice bird on a small budget . I like it even more and would promote it more as the one gentleman is a Christian. But I will say , I’ve not watched a bad FliteTest video .. The planes are simple and straightforward.. Thanks guys and please keep up the AWESOME work !!
I am encouraged to see that Josh B is a man of faith and cares about family and giving back to the community. I can relate to Chad as I am a retired television producer/director. Great story and well told. Thank you.
Watched from the very first episodes. Josh Bixler, David Windestal, and Peter Sripol among many others inspired many generations of pilots. Some of them were pilots before the hosts were even born yet were inspired by their work. Absolutely love it. Thanks for the great memories!
I love Flitetest. I’ve been an RC enthusiast for about 20 years. But not flight. Trucks and boats. The cast are energetic, engaging and charismatic. They make RC flight so enjoyable just to watch. I watch every video they release and am hoping to attend Flitefest just to see firsthand the experience this channel has brought to the RC world. My favorite is seeing young children fly a plane or drone or helicopter. I have tried all 3 and failed. But it was fun. I’ll stick to trucks and boats😂 please help keep Flitetest going and keep RC in our lives.
I’m 66yrs old and I feel as though I grew up on Flite Test! I started flying in 2014 and found flite Test and never regretted it, thank you to all at Flite Test. Those there now and especially to the early starters of Flite Test. Now it’s a company ANYONE whom fly’s Rc planes recognizes the name Flite Test!
My son and I were starting the hobby at the same time flite test got started, the videos were so inspiring, educational and funny. The two Josh characters were great. What great memories.
I never would have got my Part 107 without Flitetest and the drive of freedom in this hobby. With UAVs becoming more available and the industry growing, this rc hobby can be careers for the future.
Excellent. It's always nice to see that even behind the scenes the guys are true to themselves and their shared vision. Perfect for these times. You're in my prayers.
I rarely ever comment on stuff, but I have to say how great this was to see. Although I'm not as involved in the hobby these days, I still have and use a FliteTest mug for my coffee, and remember fondly of those original videos, which were super inspirational. Glad to hear that the original Flitetest team is doing well. Thanks very much for making this video.
13:06 this is the reason why I continue trying to build planes and fly. I am a perfectionist who has fairly unsteady hands, so when I'm building a plane, I try so hard to make it perfect, but my hands usually have different plans. So it usually takes me a LONG time to complete a build (it's taken me months in the past, between buying the materials and actually building it). But the fact that they show their mess-ups, at least some of them, it really shows people like me that it doesn't have to be perfect. So thank you to all of you.
I kept away from the "cheap " foam planes for a long time. After building one I was hooked. The relaxation you get from flying a plane that won't crush your soul when smashed up is wonderful. They won't win any rc competitions or beauty contest, but they fly just fine and I for one have had a blast building and flying several of thier models.
These guys were a HUGE impact on my childhood growing up, inspiring me to fly more, make videos online and eventually move into my career in films. Seeing this footage has been nostalgic to say the least!
The flight test videos are very informative and great to watch…as a 67yrold wishing this was available back in my days…I am so pleased that the crew are show the fun and ease of the sport…for cheap.
I didn't find FliteTest until about a year ago, haven't really explored the back catalogue. It's one of my favorite channels. I love the monster scale war planes, skills exhibitions, and wholesome environment.
everything else aside. I really enjoyed you all together enjoying the hobby. You, and we all crash and get back up there. we feel stupid some times but we do it all together and that makes it so much more fun. Thank you for all the great planes, laughs, crashes, and companionship !
I was expecting a bashing video. Not that that's what I was looking for. I am so glad that it was POSITIVE. I recently got back into the hobby after 16 years away. Unfortunately my reasons for getting back into the hobby is because I lost my son in a car accident. This brought me to my knees. It destroyed my marriage of 32 years. I moved out deep into the country and accidentally bought a trainer to see if I could still fly. It's my way to escape reality for 15 minutes in the afternoon. The advances in the hobby are some awesome. I tell people that there has never been a better time to get into and learn how to fly. Anyway thank you for putting out such good content. I am now a subscriber!
I'm a terrible rc pilot. Thanks to flight test I am an accomplishment plane builder. I was there at the beginning. and Really enjoyed the goofy josh and josh antics.great video. Thanks for the episode.
I still watch the channel since 2020. I've been watching others progress just like it. Great job to everyone involved in the creation of the channel til this day!!🤜🤛
I tried to fly RC while I was recovering from a motorcycle accident. I had to miss a semester of college and spent much of the time building a balsa RC plane. I had no teacher or community and the plane flew once for about a minute before I destroyed it in a crash. In my sixties I found flight test videos. I build a tiny trainer from a speed build kit and logged many hours of flight time before losing it to a tree. Flight test not only made the hobby affordable, it opened up the enjoyment of building things and then testing them. I have six planes now, three of them are my designs! I owe fight test a great deal!
I have been an audience of flitetest since 2013. I still remembered my 1st quad was built following one of their episodes. Thanks flitetest for giving us so much good memories.
There are very few YT channels which have inspired me as much FT. These days, with family, work, and life in general always feeling so hectic, I may go weeks, or months without watching their videos. But, I always come back, and every time I do, it is like getting together with old friends, or family. The connection picks right back up.
I'm an adult but I wanted to learn to fly and your fw190 was first real experience flying. Amazing and terrifying and I flew it right into the ground. It was the best two minutes of my life. I can't quantify the happiness your company has brought into my life bc now I know what it feels like to fly.
Flite test was a platform that boosted the hobby! No matter how much experience or the age of the interest in the R/C hobby. A Breakthrough for the DYI budget pilot. Look now what we all went thru 10 yrs later!
From the thumbnail, I was expecting controversy but I'm relieved to see that FT is as wholesome as ever.
Same!
@@solarflare623 Still miss Peter Stripol, his channel is still strong although he's not w flute test
@@beargillium2369 peter is doing he's own thing because he was pushing the limits of what flite test could provide. he's projects are more dangerous and expensive so that's why he started his own thing.
Our lord and saviour, Saint Bixler
Exactly!... It was still a good video... But I HATE clickbait!!!
Amazing edit!
Those were some good days. Thanks Chad for making me a part of FliteTest.
You are probably my favorite on FT.
@@JLNYardBird Agree 100%
David. You were my favorite host on flite test you always had the fun and crazy ideas. You are missed and if you are still in the RUclips community please link your chanel. I will subscribe. Hope all is well in your world
Loved the European scandinavian touch of humor of you 😊
Thanks, David! Love your passion. You're always welcome here with us in New England if you want to do some flying. 💙
Thanks for the walk down memory lane! Always thankful I got to be part of it.
Hello josh :)
Love youuu joshhhhh hope things are well for you mate👍
Josh I would love to see you make a surprise return
Josh, you should do a cameo. With a B something bomber 👌🏻
You were so much fun to watch Josh. Loved your great sense of humor and comfort in front of the camera. Your WWII series is amazing.
I remember about 3 years ago, I was in a bad way, ptsd from my time in the army and injuries I had made me, let's say suicidal. I was up one night in so much pain that I was in tears and found this video from flite test. It was a hilarious episode and had me laughing. I had always wanted to fly a rc plane, but as most, the cost of crashing was too great for me. I saw them making airplanes from foam and saw how much fun they were having, and it lit something in me. I bought one of the kits and asked my step dad, who we've always had bad blood between each other. We went out to a small soccer field and both were laughing up a storm over me flying and crashing. Since then me and my step dad have gotten along and haven't had 1 argument in 3 years. I'm no longer on depression or anxiety meds. And have a wife mad at not being able to park in our garage due to all my planes and rc cars. In a way, flite test kinda saved my life. Without finding the channel and building my confidence back up I don't know where I would be today.
Anywho, that's my story. Thank you Josh and everyone else that put all this together. There are people like me out there that never really had any support and hobbies like this are exactly what we need. With that said I hope they include veterans in some of their special episodes. Im sure lives would be changed like mine was.
Lovely story bud glad you found your thing. ❤❤❤happy rcing my friend
Wow, always nice to hear people's lives being turned better with such stories 😊
Glad RC aviation helped you and you’re doing well now. My story isn’t as dramatic as yours, but building and flying RC planes kept me out of trouble in my formative years, since I grew up in a not great part of the city and went to a rough inner city school. While my friends were getting in trouble, I was in the basement building or at the flying field. Back then all my planes were nitro powered since electric motors were heavy, underperforming and the battery technology wasn’t great.
Truly thankful and proud to be part of the FT Family! Also grateful for all the friends and team members that have made Flitetest What is today? We all share a commitment to celebrate the love of both flight and people. This vision is much bigger than any of us individually. Excited to see what was created in Chads garage continue to grow thanks to this amazing community.
Thanks Everyone!
Thank you Josh for getting me started with the hobby!
Thanks Josh! I am an ex-Qantas Avionics Aircraft Maintenance Engineer who spent 10 years rebuilding Boeings and yet you taught me a thing or two about flight! I no longer work on the 'real 'thing' but the satisfaction I gained watching a 747 or 767 leave my hangar and launch into the air is the same as watching my foamies fly. Cheers mate!
Flite Test was always inspirational, educative and fun. Thanks for tips and tricks. I love this hobby 🚁✈️🛩️
@@therealbushmanpat that’s incredible brother!
Josh - thank you so much for the support and for making this video possible. Without you - Ben, myself, and so many would not be where they are today in our flying family. Hope to fly with you soon. -Zach & Ben
Great story! Another channel that inspired many of us was RCSuperpowers. One of the very first "RUclips Partners" . Unfortunately Dave sort of fizzled away, got burned out and stopped producing anything.
I think Dave is under appreciated. His designs were amazing and the videos were really well produced for early RUclips.
I'm still waiting for RapidNadion to finish his Seaquest model. LOL
Yep I remember that.
Oh yes! RCSuperpowers! "One more flight!"
I miss those silly times of YT, when it was mostly silly videos from the common folks experimenting stuff and showing their hobbies instead of the mega productions and political commentary that spams and plagues YT today.
Good memories of Dave and his wife making great early videos.
Oooooooh… interesting! 😮
Such an awesome nostalgic ride!! I can’t believe it all started 13 years ago!!
Yes Very much. 😂
Thank you for inspiring me to get into the hobby. Love your work!
Glad you started it all Chad. I hope all is good in your world since. You guys inspired me in flying rc and starting a RUclips channel just for fun. You are appreciated
Thank you for the support and for helping to make this video possible, Chad! Always appreciate your mentorship and wisdom. 💙
Golden days of a hobby! Thank you guys so much! Best wishes and greetings from Ukraine !
Great story. I'm 78 and have wanted to learn to fly RC most of my life. Flite test gave me a financial entry level that I was comfortable with and it offered a hobby that appeared to be fun to enter. I'm retired and was looking for something new and interesting to start. I've built three planes. I was able to fly one of my builds but decided I need more flight capability, so I bought a carbon cub with all the bells and whistles. I've crashed it in multiple neighbors back yards so I'm still learning.
I know your focus is geared to the younger side, but I thought you might like to know there is at least one old guy out there who has enjoyed what you are creating and who continues to be interested in new products as they come out.
Craig - thank you. We definitely all owe a lot to Flite Test for making the hobby more accessible for all ages.
Craig, your not the only old guy … I’m just a few years behind you … I’ve bought three Flight Test foamies and did a back yard flyer magazine pair of flying food tray foamies just for fun ! They turned out to be great lawn mower non flying but fun building experiences wrong batteries and or underpowered motor….? I’m into the hobby again after a 42 year hiatus with kids house building and 8 or ten different jobs thrown in between … there’s a lot to be said for the dollar tree foam board flyers these “kids” and now us older pile0ts are attempting to get in the air!
Now with the power packs and all the autopilots that take some of the fear factor out we can learn and have fun in the process… Josh and his sons and flight crew make [[laughing at our poor inexperienced piloting]] a lot more fun .. hot glue or foam safe crazy glue and a couple of minutes wait and your back flying again …. Not like the times when we were kids doing stick an tissue works of art! Let alone flying toilets ikea chairs tanks and battle ships …I’ve never laughed so hard!! So just get and keep trying and flying … I got with a group of guys that meet at Coyote Canyon Recreational Park called the “Old Geezers” … all about our age … and we laugh and it’s a hoot. . . Just keep going! Having fun
Ed in Phoenix writes
Craig Hill...add me to you demographic. I have a Private Pilot's License, not active. Doesn't mean I have to stay home. Yes, I also wanted a hobby to take to the skies! I'm surprised how much of my old training has come back in spades.
I'm 65 and have crashed my Cub foamie, but a new prop and cowl and I'm ready to try it again.
Dude, I'm 55 and got into miniquads 6 years ago. I'm feeling out fixed wing right now., Age means nothing as long as you're sharp. My introduction to RC was when I was 6 years old. My parents took me to fly kites at a place in the UK that was common for RC enthusiasts to go, and I was always more interested in the planes than the kite. That would be about 1974/5 when most of the stuff was still home-made.
They truly were the glory days. Its great to see Chad again. Watching these old clips really made me realize how much he brought to the show.
I'm a 4th year Engineering student that loves airplanes and I've always wanted to work in the aerospace field. Sometime last summer I saw some guy on Instagram who works on full scale rockets as his job, and then comes home and makes his own little model rockets as a hobby. I remembering thinking that was so cool and wanting to be like that with airplanes. I then sat for a couple seconds until I realized "Wait, what's stopping me?" So that afternoon I went and ordered the FT Trainer kit and have been building my own model airplanes ever since. A few months after I began doing that, I was able to land a job at Lockheed Martin as an Aeronautical Engineer and one of the things that the person who interviewed loved the most was my little model airplanes that I make in my free time. If it wasn't for Flite Test I almost certainly wouldn't be where I am today. I start at Lockheed in about 6 months.
Love the story!
I was with Lockheed Martin for just shy of 24 years at SLC4E yes now home to Space X at Vandenberg AFB.... (( I wanted to quit every 5 years but Stayed)) I was and Still @ 73 an avid Flyer builder experimenter and the "W H Y" monster still bites my ankles daily ... I need a Garage to set up and play in big time ... I'm in the Burbs living in a Condo in Phoenix Arizona at the moment ... I've got a 38+ year love of Hybrid dirigibles and have an idea that to this day would revolutionize the transportation industry overnight .. BUT I need a big push at the moment!!! I've invested in radio gear to make things happen ... Just be you, create be innovative and consistently strong .. blessings and God bless you and what you love to do ... Ed in Phoenix Arizona writes.
Wow, I got goosebumps from your story. I love it how, after thinking " one day I'd like to be like that ", suddenly the 'well, why not?' thought came up. From wishful thinking to immediate action. It's so interesting because sometimes we are our own biggest obstacle... anyway congrats on getting into your desired career.
Great stuff and you'll do very well. Perhaps for you, going to "work" won't feel like going to "work"! My son and I have scratch built and flown RC planes for a few years and now he's joined the Australian Air Force Cadets. Who knows - perhaps he'll end up following a similar path to yours, which would be so wonderful. All the best and cheers from Sydney - Dave
Fast build a concept and show it flying using your Flite Test fast build techniques and it would be most impressive to the Lockheed folks.
Nothing is more fun than seeing it in real time in the air, even better than a complex simulation.
I guess your flying buddies will have to sign non-disclosure contracts if they want to fly with you ;-)
I've been building, designing and flying RC and unguided models since I was 8 years old but took a hiatus for 20 years while flying Real aircraft, gliders, motor glider, paragliders, Ultralights but came back around to models as I near retirement.
Love being able to create and test my own designs.
I'm an atheist but Josh is the only person ever to make me hope there truly is a God that loves him back as much as Josh is kind, and loving, and wholesome and faithful, and ironically, down to earth. I've been away from the hobby for about a decade, but I was there when Flite Test started and it will always have a special place in my heart, along with Josh and Josh.
Believe it brother! Look at the beautifully designed world around you. It is corrupted and flawed because of sin, but can you look at the incredibly, intelligently designed system of a human or other creature and say it was random chance, from a miracle explosion that created something out of nothing? I encourage you to look up videos of James White explaining proof of God, he was very helpful in my convincing of Christianity. I pray you would seek the truth on this matter and that the Lord will open your heart
Me too bro. I remember the first time I heard the Flite Test OG introduction and I was instantly hooked. My son was like 9 years old at the time and we were instantly taken with FliteTest and building RCs. We attended FliteFest in 16 and 17 and it was incredible memories. It was definitely a special time and the golden era of FliteTest. I stopped watching years ago.
There are only a few RC channels that have stood the test of time and which changed the hobby forever. FliteTest is one of them.
I wish you had more flying videos to put out. I love watching you guys as well.
I wasn't a pilot when I discovered flight test ! With the encouragement of taught me the basics and in 6 months I was flying !
Flight Test was my teacher and I thank them for it ! Josh Bixler is a great inspiration and he deserves the success that he has made !
Thank you flight test for all you do for your extended family !
I have a deep connection with Flitetest, mostly because they are the ones that fueled my interest in it. During the summer, about 4 years ago, before my dad got home from work I would watch as many videos as a can. And when my dad did get home, we went to fly! They really did have me hooked on the hobby and all it’s glorious ways. Thank you for this video.
Love it. Glad you enjoyed it.
as much as Flite Test has changed over the past few years, I still have an incredible appreciation for what they do. Especially with the nearing future of FAA rulemaking, Josh’s efforts are truly a hand from heaven
Flite Test has done more to destroy the hobby and bring negative attention from the FAA than anyone else I can think of.
@@odinata Can you explain how? I am interested in hearing what you have to say because all this time I was blaming FPV and drones for all the negative attention.
@@rebel937 Sure. Flite Test used to focus on small model airplanes. Then they kept building bigger and bigger airplanes that could carry big payloads of weapons that they would use to shoot down other planes and drop bombs on things and generally draw the attention of the FAA and get the public riled up about how radio controlled model airplanes could be used as terrorist weapons.
Basically they were just giving people ideas of how they could weaponize model airplanes instead of enjoying flying them for the fun of it
@@odinata Thank you for clearing that up. You have some good points that I would have never thought about
@@odinata if you think flite test was showing people or inspiring people to do that, I've got a bridge to sell you that connects to some oceanfront property in Nevada.
People have been using model planes, and much more recently, DJI drones for years to drop payloads that go boom. It's nothing new, and the technology to do so will almost always be readily available
I’m 63 years old, watched plenty of Flight Test videos in my day. Even back when my internet connection was so slow it was a Channel I would sit and wait while it buffered to load up.. I connected with so many of the crew. A outstanding channel/ company. I felt like I had personal friends and it’s been a pleasure to watch what flight test has done for this hobby. God bless ya all . Still and forever a fan.
David got me into FPV in 2015. I don't think he realised how much of an impact he did on the community, at least to me. He moved on, and probably contributed in other areas. Thank you David Windestål and Flight Test.
I'm 62 this year. Josh, you have the personality that inspires people in an ageless way. I was inspired 15 years ago when I first saw you on flitetest. Believe me, your personality is one that has and will continue to inspire young people to join and enjoy the hobby. You have what you are hoping for
in a new young person to inspire young people. Now, if retiring from flitetest is your unspoken goal, guest appearances are a must. The community,
and anyone who has seen 10 or more episodes can easily recognize your passion for this hobby as it inspires people to fellowship with new memories.
I, for one, hope you keep on keeping on with the show. All of you and the families working at flitetest truly are divinely positioned and it shows in all areas
of the production and sales at flitetest. I thank God that I have been able to enjoy the shows and products, and mostly the opportunity it has provided me
with to get back into a hobby that I thought was out of reach for me at my level of income while at home, taking care of my grandmother for poverty wage.
May God continue to richly bless all of you at flitetest. I love you all.
I grew up watching them and have always been inspired by the group. I remember building a scrap plane out of foam board and fit it with the electronics from my crashed J3 cup model. I took my passion to flying the full size planes. Years later, I am now finishing my first year in the airlines as a first officer!
Because of “Flitetest” I got back into the hobby after 25yrs absence and started my own hobby aviation based vlog. Thank You guys keep up the good works. Your never to old to have fun 😅
I've been watching FliteTest since day one. I put off watching this because I was so afraid it was some effort at tearing down the people I had come to think so much of over the years. I'm so glad to see it wasn't what I had feared. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of bringing us FliteTest content and thank you also for being there to distract me through some very terrible family tragedies. I'm 67 year old and I'm still flying foam board creations because God brought FliteTest along at just the right time! 🤗🫶
I am very proud, of Flight Test. And was a subscriber from the beginning.
It was the spirit, that spellbound me.
I failed misrable, with my first and only RC car, as a 18 year old kid.
But Flight Test gave me the confidence, to fly.
I am now 52, and is still flying, thanks to Flight Test.
I even work with real estate agents, to film and take pictures of houses and property with a drone.
But my favorite is still a good stable Tri-Copter, but i have to live with the brand that have killed most of the hobby, DJI.
I have so many good memory's from tha best time of Flight Test, and i still go back, and re-see episodes.
It's a litlle shame, that the sparkeling enthusiasm is slowly draining out of the channel.
But i owe you guys a LOT.
Thanks to Chad, Josh, Joshua and David.
You are legends.
Agreed on the legend status. 💙 Love your story.
Flite Test was instrumental in my getting into R/C aircraft.That was during the Josh and Josh era. I feel like the FAA is really over-reaching/over-regulating.
It's not just model aircraft now, it's also drones, park flyers, even off-road vehicles and 4x4's. It's almost as if the Karen/Kevin brigade can't stand anyone with an outdoor hobby! The FAA, like many Fed/State/Local governments are just so paranoid about "surveillance" that they believe aircraft and drone pilots make it harder to watch you.
Do whatever you can to make the FAA and other "government organizations" leave well enough alone and let us enjoy the hobbies we love! I believe in safety just like the 99% of hobbyists, but you can't continue shoving safety down people's throats to forward an agenda.
Edit: For reference, I do drone flying and C/L flying. For newer people C/L is short for Control Line. Basically a gas or electric powered aircraft you fly in a circle with, and use a handle and your hand and arm to control the plane.
What a gift! 4 years ago I was nowhere in flying hobby and Flight Test was just my spare time vids. Now I am fully committed to fpv and I hope to grow!
Also - Awesome doc Zach. Your content has always impressed me for YEARS, but you are truly doing some of the best RC related content out there right now. Probably my favorite channel at the moment.
Thank you, Mike! Means a lot.
Big Mike's HC.. 👍up on that one. So refreshing to see all new and exciting aspects of out sport, which is in complete contrast to another RC channel I could mention!. Throwing empty boxes over ones shoulder and deleting any comments that fail to blow smoke up his a** is not for me I'm afraid!! Gotta be able to take any constructive criticism I say, rather than keep hitting the delete.. Anyway, that's my rant over!! lol You have another new sub... PS a light hearted comparison was made between each of the channels flying skills, and the many "likes" went in Tail Heavy's favor! That comment ain't there anymore!!
@@Oliver-ui4qm The deletist with a goatee, by any chance? 😆... Think most have got his number mate, as per his RUclips Social Blade Stats
Just wondered : How many young lives you have changed for our children. Josh B. You are a hero. I've been a fan from the begining . keep up Gods work.
Wow, I didn't expect you guys to release a documentary. Loved the video, especially as a former Flite Test fan!
Former 🤔 Doesn't that mean you aren't anymore 🤔
@@EJ-74 Absolutely not! I just haven't watched that much of them recently
Great video. Well done for telling the story. I have watched every episode of FT since 2012 and watched all the back episodes as well, so the footage was familiar and the story pretty much pieced together. What was brilliant was hearing Chad and Josh give their takes on the whole process. At the age of 55, they allowed me to get into the hobby without feeling as though I was too old. They also encouraged me to connect with the local RC club and its members. It inspired me to learn to fly, build, design, 3D print and of course solder! I eventually became a commercial UAS pilot covering a number of events, surveys and photo shoots. All thanks to the enthusiasm and inclusivity of the ever evolving FT team. To say thank you, I contributed to the crowd funding for the new site and sponsored one of the flight stations. I am just one of millions (literally) and I hope they realise how thankfully and fondly they are thought of and that they continue to go from strength to strength.👍
Thanks for answering so many of my questions. When I met Josh at Edgewater he talked fondly about StoneKap productions, and that his vision was to reach out his ministry to more families and create bonds. I take my son to Flite Fest every summer now and we visit Edgewater as much as we can. I have built 38 FT designs and can’t wait to see what’s next!
Hopefully we can meet you and your son at Flite Fest sometime soon - we're going to try and make it out in June. It's such a great event!
Thanks for clearing up why some folks left. I have been watching them for many years and I was very sad to see Chad and David and Josh move on , but this puts it in context. Thank you
Maaaaan, I can SMELL things in this video. Memory is a weird thing. Awesome job guys. So thankful for everything I got to do with FT and where it allowed me to go in life.
Thanks, TJ!
I was going to ask what you smelled… but I probably shouldn’t 😅
@@ChadKapper LOLOL honestly man I can still smell your house like I was just there. 😂😂
Love ya brother! Can’t wait to see you again. :)
@@joshbixler1261 YES! Miss you guys. Hoping I’m able to bring the family up this summer sometime.
Thanks for the updated history. Creation of Flite Test is Inspiration and Joy. Keep up the Good Work. Thank You!!!
That nostalgia hit like a freight train, what a great video!
I'm not in the hobby but I do love watching anyone doing anything with passion, inclusivity and love. Josh Bixler, you are amazing!
I used to only like Josh, but now I love him. What a wonderful story. Truly blessed, this channel is.
I started watching Josh and Josh back in 2011 after I impulse bought my Champ... I miss the old videos.. the FliteTest intro is forever etched into my long term memory and will bring a smile to my face and warm fuzzies when I rewatch the old videos. Thank you Chad, wherever you are!
Extremely well done. Been a FT fan since about the beginning. It's always good to see people that really are who they appear to be.
Thank you! Agreed. Chad, Josh, and the whole Flite Test family are great people.
Great historic view of Flite Test! I was 50 years old when it came out and I was just getting back in the RC hobby. FT was a great inspiration and built many of their foam board planes. Thanks for many years of fun and education with this hobby.
One of the best channels under the sun. They turn my dreams into a reality.
Blessings to the whole team!
My first Flite test plane was a Cub scout. Flew for a total of 47 seconds in 7 flights all ending in crashes. 4 props, 2 destoryed batteries and one smashed plane and I was smiling ear to ear with joy.
I'm so proud to be apart of the first Flite Fest, I spent a 12 hour travel day, 3 flights and a rental car drive to tent at the Venue. met amazing people who are still friends to this day, I got to Volunteer and stay to the bitter end helping and I got to be blessed with staying a night at the Bixlers residence instead of sleeping in my car. Josh and Jen truly are an inspiration of how they have reached and blessed SO many people!
I was an early "adopter" (and also have an unopened 3 plane kit they first offered)... The show did get a tad bit more "profit" driven (but it was an undertone, not a dominating feel).. I think the "spread the hobby" is a great goal and I applaud that... I still tune over there once in awhile and the "Flight Fest" is a hit... Am glad I came across them when I did.. I am sorry that the Gov't got involved.. Is inevitable however, people having fun are not allowed unless the Gov't approves..
I started watching flight test early on. It has changed lots. Amazing growth. Excellent job with this video. Thank you!
I don't wanna know how long it took to edit this video, but it was definitely worth it. Such a great video. I wouldn't be in this hobby today without the good ole Josh and Josh days. Its almost time to start re-watching the channel from the beginning again for the 4th time. lol
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. We definitely wouldn’t be around if it wasn’t for Flite Test, either. 👍
Flight Test really deserve thanks for showing how cheap and easy it can be to find one's way into the hobby. In a world where video games and mobile phones dominate peoples' attention, it's heartening to see that a practical hobby like model building still survives, and brings people together.
Thank you to the Joshes, Chad and all of the Flight Test family for bringing people together for some good old fashioned fun.
I miss David, he was very good
ROCKET KNIFE!!!!!...lol me too
Agree 💯 percent 👌
So proud to have been part of the crowdfunding for FT and FliteFest. Fantastic.
Loved this. So many nostalgic memories bought back. Thanks for making this video
I first found Flitetest while browsing for reviews for different airplanes I was going to buy, I kind of miss the old times where they did a lot of reviews of new kits and models. I still follow Flitetest and this hobby has helped me so much through difficult times and periods of my life (PTSD) and being same age as Josh just makes it better. I will never stop this hobby
That was incredibly well done! And entertaining too.
Thank you!
Been watching probably from somewhere near the beginning, and it is great to learn the history behind the channel, and how things progressed and how important family and faith were n forming such a great presence in this space. I used to “buddy box” kids when I was about 12yo, kids about my same age or older and use an old trusty nitro trainer loaned by an older gentleman who shared the love of teaching and helping with builds, he trusted me to train others flying while he assisted with some projects at the field. Mary old Park in Redmond WA, back in the 72mhz days! I am a private licensed airplane and helicopter pilot, and a father of three on a budget! I absolutely love the idea and implementation of the foamy builds and designs and being that my current RC model selection is a ratty unflyable Tundra and trex clone, I am excited to get going on one of those kits and share more flying with the kiddos!! God Bless Josh, this provides an opportunity to build and be flying quickly using my current electronics, and to anyone busy with a family first proper approach to things, this makes flying within reach without breaking the bank or taking precious time away from the wife and kids! To me it’s how you feel flying, not what you are flying, and these goalies have beautifully evolved into the ultimate form follows function with simple incorporated features that add scale looks and clever lines that almost anyone with a glue gun and sharp blade can build! I recommend everyone heck out the RUclips build tutorials to see just how great these kits are.
FliteTest definitely has done a lot for the hobby! We were also full time active members of Marymoor and Bryan’s youth club as kids. Believe it or not, he’s still at it every weekend. Amazing guy. I’m also now flying full scale professionally to pay the bills…and to pay for GA flying and the rc toys. 😁 It’s amazing what RC airplane addiction can do for a kid, and Flite Test definitely knows how to target youth well. -Zach
I come from a different era. I started building model planes back in 1947. Since then, I have built every plane, be it control line, free flight, or RC, from either kits or my own designs. I could never get any enjoyment out of flying something I did not build.
Today very few build their own planes and have no investment in building. It is buy and fly. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it is just our way now, instant gratification has taken the place of building our next dream plane. I am 82 years old. I have flown both competition control line and RC.
When the FAA decided to take our freedom away for no reason, I dropped out of the hobby altogether thanking God I grew up when we still had some freedom in this country.
We use to fly on ball diamonds, on school grounds, and anywhere there was enough room to fly a model plane. Parks were one of the best places to fly.
If people still built there own planes we would still be our own test pilots like we have always been.
Transponders will soon be required in every model you have. And the government can track you no matter where you are or what you are flying. And if it is not a government allotted place, well, the results are devastating to say the least.
I see nothing has changed. Only now the government can spy on you along with any one else. The transponders are public information. Flyers flying alone have already been attacked. Thanks to the FAA, we are now considered terrorist by the general public. Are you guys continuing to fly without the regulations, or have you all registered all your planes and put transponders in all of them and taken the test? Can your organization do any more to get our freedom back? If not, what is the point?
A wonderful way of spotlighting FT's heritage. Flitetest is what got me into the hobby during my middle school years and brought so much joy and entertainment throughout my troublesome adolescent years. This video really did throw me back 10 years into nostalgia. It makes me happy to see how far they've come.
Growing up for me, The rc plane hobby was an elite society out of reach to me despite my fascination. Flight test came along and energized my fascination and I realized the new foam models were both durable and cheap. I started flying and having fun. I knew that Flight Test was Chad's baby with Chad being behind the scenes and Josh B. the host. I highly doubt Flite Test would have held my attention without David and Peter.
I started to notice that Chad seemed to missing from the productions and Josh running things but never knew what had changed till today. I really miss those early episodes but realize People can't simply entertain me without being able to provide for their families.
Although they would have heard it many times, just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in Flite Test over the years and for all the work they've done. My dad and Flite Test are both equally responsible for getting me into this awesome hobby. Scratch building and flying foamies inspired me to design my own RC planes, become a full scale pilot, and study aeronautical engineering now. I wouldn't be where I am today without their dedication to inspire and educate new people starting out in RC, and the unique way in which they have done that. Thank you!
Honestly really well done, top tire editing, nice job Zach and Ben!
Just coming back to RC now. I really enjoyed those early days of Flight Test. The crashes, the mistakes, the learnings, the skills and mostly the guys. Thanks for the memories, cheers from Australia.
MOM THEY POSTED
I bought my first RC airplane after watching one of your early episodes. A few years later and I'm still flying and growing. Thank you Chad.
I've loved flite test since the first few episodes and I'm so happy they've thrived! I do miss the hood old days and the cool wacky stuff they used to do but there new stuff is really fun too! Thank you for such a great video on them explaining some of the history! It was a really nice stroll down memory lane!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a great story. My sons and I have been a fan of Flight Test for a long time. We've built several of the foam kits and fly them at my r/c club's airfield.
It's really good to see that Josh is a man of faith.
Josh, don't retire. You have at least 30 years left. You brought low cost r/c to the masses.
Hobby King is probably kicking themselves for fully cancelling the sponsorship like spoiled kids. But it sounds like that was the catalyst to force FT to sink or swim, and damn did they swim.
Many decade's ago I saw my 1st rc plane. Awesome! I discovered RUclips and Flight test when it was josh and josh. Well I'll be. Got the encouragement. Been flying for almost three years now. Thank you everyone!
Awesome documentary!!! I recognize alot from this in the past!!! I started flying DLGs because of the video Flite Test did back in the day with David Windestal!!! Oh and please do a colab!!! It would be awesome!!!
Thank you! We're definitely excited for the potential to do some flying with the Flite Test family out in Ohio.
Wow how the years have gone by. Such an inspirational group. I remember watching the channel back in 2012 while waiting for my wife to finish her evening classes. Learning about how Flitetest has grown and growing with it has been a wonderful journey.
No hate here, but I am genuinely interested in knowing how much religion plays a role if you turn up to a FliteTest event? I don't even fly but have followed FT sinde Josh Scott's days and I do think of Bixler as a genuine dude. But I also believe religion is a very personal thing and that works both ways. Meaning, it comes with the right for people to not be preached to unless they specifically sign up for that. So, if FliteFest and build seminars start with group prayers and such, I may have to reevaluate how I think of them.
Great video btw.
I am eternally grateful for Flite Test. They are the reason I got started in the hobby in 2013 and decided to start Wind Catcher RC in 2018. Without them, I don't think I would be where I am today.
Thank you Flite Test for being awesome and a huge asset to the hobby, community, and families.
and thank you Tail Heavy Productions for this fantastic video.
A bizarre religious golf course cult of styrofoam cutters.
I live in Yakima, WA and I subscribed to Flight Test and purchased 3 kits from Josh and Josh many years ago. The Spitfire foam kit was my favorite ! Learned a lot from them on how to build foam core airplanes cheap. I few and crashed a lot , but had lots of fun. Always excited for the next RUclips video to learn more. The values Josh Bixler shared on the channel inspired me. I don't fly much any more but have my feet on the ground building RC cars now. I have nine RC cars three I have built from kits. Flight Test put me in the hobby of RC. I still have my Bix 3 from Hobby King that Josh recommend in memory of Josh Bixler! Oh yeah also have the shipping boxes with cut outs of three plane kits I got from FT so I can always build them again later. Thank you guys for what you did to me! Randall Robinson (RC Therapy on RUclips)
One of the worst things about RUclips today is that they removed private messages from the system. Often times people don’t want to leave comments that are visible to everyone. That is one of RUclips’s biggest shortcomings in the modern age. Great show as always! #stayepic
I’ve been in the hobby off and on for 45 years , I’m not the best pilot but far from the worst .
I will say that I enjoy watching
FliteTest videos , I’ve learned a lot in the construction ranges and enjoy how cheaply you can build a nice bird on a small budget .
I like it even more and would promote it more as the one gentleman is a Christian.
But I will say , I’ve not watched a bad FliteTest video ..
The planes are simple and straightforward..
Thanks guys and please keep up the AWESOME work !!
I am encouraged to see that Josh B is a man of faith and cares about family and giving back to the community. I can relate to Chad as I am a retired television producer/director. Great story and well told. Thank you.
ahh man early to mid twenty teens flite test was soo good, looked forward to every video. Great to know the full story of the channel.
Watched from the very first episodes. Josh Bixler, David Windestal, and Peter Sripol among many others inspired many generations of pilots. Some of them were pilots before the hosts were even born yet were inspired by their work. Absolutely love it. Thanks for the great memories!
wiping tears and enjoying the content it's a blessing . Flite test should come to Kenya and inspire more from this side.
I love Flitetest. I’ve been an RC enthusiast for about 20 years. But not flight. Trucks and boats. The cast are energetic, engaging and charismatic. They make RC flight so enjoyable just to watch. I watch every video they release and am hoping to attend Flitefest just to see firsthand the experience this channel has brought to the RC world. My favorite is seeing young children fly a plane or drone or helicopter. I have tried all 3 and failed. But it was fun. I’ll stick to trucks and boats😂 please help keep Flitetest going and keep RC in our lives.
I’m 66yrs old and I feel as though I grew up on Flite Test! I started flying in 2014 and found flite Test and never regretted it, thank you to all at Flite Test. Those there now and especially to the early starters of Flite Test. Now it’s a company ANYONE whom fly’s Rc planes recognizes the name Flite Test!
My son and I were starting the hobby at the same time flite test got started, the videos were so inspiring, educational and funny. The two Josh characters were great. What great memories.
I never would have got my Part 107 without Flitetest and the drive of freedom in this hobby. With UAVs becoming more available and the industry growing, this rc hobby can be careers for the future.
Excellent. It's always nice to see that even behind the scenes the guys are true to themselves and their shared vision. Perfect for these times. You're in my prayers.
I rarely ever comment on stuff, but I have to say how great this was to see.
Although I'm not as involved in the hobby these days, I still have and use a FliteTest mug for my coffee, and remember fondly of those original videos, which were super inspirational.
Glad to hear that the original Flitetest team is doing well.
Thanks very much for making this video.
13:06 this is the reason why I continue trying to build planes and fly. I am a perfectionist who has fairly unsteady hands, so when I'm building a plane, I try so hard to make it perfect, but my hands usually have different plans. So it usually takes me a LONG time to complete a build (it's taken me months in the past, between buying the materials and actually building it). But the fact that they show their mess-ups, at least some of them, it really shows people like me that it doesn't have to be perfect. So thank you to all of you.
I kept away from the "cheap " foam planes for a long time. After building one I was hooked. The relaxation you get from flying a plane that won't crush your soul when smashed up is wonderful. They won't win any rc competitions or beauty contest, but they fly just fine and I for one have had a blast building and flying several of thier models.
These guys were a HUGE impact on my childhood growing up, inspiring me to fly more, make videos online and eventually move into my career in films. Seeing this footage has been nostalgic to say the least!
Thank you! I have been trying to learn about this on my own With out much luck. I love flite test and I hope They never stop. May God bless.
The flight test videos are very informative and great to watch…as a 67yrold wishing this was available back in my days…I am so pleased that the crew are show the fun and ease of the sport…for cheap.
I didn't find FliteTest until about a year ago, haven't really explored the back catalogue. It's one of my favorite channels. I love the monster scale war planes, skills exhibitions, and wholesome environment.
everything else aside. I really enjoyed you all together enjoying the hobby. You, and we all crash and get back up there. we feel stupid some times but we do it all together and that makes it so much more fun. Thank you for all the great planes, laughs, crashes, and companionship !
I was watching this through and I was waiting for the controversy to start and then it ended this video is so wholesome
I'm 60 .. hardcore ironworker just got back into RC a couple years ago really enjoyed your show fellas!!
I was expecting a bashing video. Not that that's what I was looking for. I am so glad that it was POSITIVE. I recently got back into the hobby after 16 years away. Unfortunately my reasons for getting back into the hobby is because I lost my son in a car accident. This brought me to my knees. It destroyed my marriage of 32 years. I moved out deep into the country and accidentally bought a trainer to see if I could still fly. It's my way to escape reality for 15 minutes in the afternoon. The advances in the hobby are some awesome. I tell people that there has never been a better time to get into and learn how to fly.
Anyway thank you for putting out such good content. I am now a subscriber!
I'm a terrible rc pilot. Thanks to flight test I am an accomplishment plane builder. I was there at the beginning. and Really enjoyed the goofy josh and josh antics.great video. Thanks for the episode.
I still watch the channel since 2020. I've been watching others progress just like it. Great job to everyone involved in the creation of the channel til this day!!🤜🤛
I tried to fly RC while I was recovering from a motorcycle accident. I had to miss a semester of college and spent much of the time building a balsa RC plane. I had no teacher or community and the plane flew once for about a minute before I destroyed it in a crash. In my sixties I found flight test videos. I build a tiny trainer from a speed build kit and logged many hours of flight time before losing it to a tree. Flight test not only made the hobby affordable, it opened up the enjoyment of building things and then testing them. I have six planes now, three of them are my designs! I owe fight test a great deal!
You guys r unreal you give kids something safe to do God Bless you all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been an audience of flitetest since 2013. I still remembered my 1st quad was built following one of their episodes. Thanks flitetest for giving us so much good memories.
I still remember watching that first episode with Josh and Josh when it came out. I’m still in it for the full run.
There are very few YT channels which have inspired me as much FT. These days, with family, work, and life in general always feeling so hectic, I may go weeks, or months without watching their videos. But, I always come back, and every time I do, it is like getting together with old friends, or family. The connection picks right back up.
I'm an adult but I wanted to learn to fly and your fw190 was first real experience flying. Amazing and terrifying and I flew it right into the ground. It was the best two minutes of my life. I can't quantify the happiness your company has brought into my life bc now I know what it feels like to fly.
Flite test was a platform that boosted the hobby! No matter how much experience or the age of the interest in the R/C hobby.
A Breakthrough for the DYI budget pilot.
Look now what we all went thru 10 yrs later!
God bless you, Chad Capper😍 Thank you for bringing flitetest to us.