R/C Helicopter flying....

Dear Readers,

I recently got in to a new hobby - R/C Helicopters. I know, I know - its quite a different hobby from what I am normally interested it, but so what. Its always nice to try new things (Even if you are not good at it lol).

Anyway so i started out my new hobby with a very simple and basic R/C helicopter; the Syma S107G. Its a steady and easy to fly helicopter. It can turn on a fixed axis and can fly forward and backward and height is controlled by increasing or decreasing power/throttle. It was easy to fly because it had a balance bar to make sure it doesn't over fly in a given direction. I had fun getting my feet wet so to speak with this helicopter but it got boring quite fast. I wanted some more excitement so I decided I'll get a faster more aerobatic capable R/C Helicopter, which lead me to order Helimax's Axe 100 CP.

Now this new helicopter looked quite a bit like the first one in terms of size, but it definitely makes the first one look like a baby when it comes to flying. Unfortunately, I didnt get my feet wet enough with the first one to be able to handle this one. This helicopter is much faster and harder to control. Sadly, I've already dinged it in a few places and even cracked the canopy (i've repaired the dings and cracks with scotch tape and crazy glue lol).

I'll probably get a PC flight simulator to practice on before I take it out to fly again. Despite the dings and crashes, I am having fun learning and flying. If you guys want more info regarding this hobby and R/C heli's, feel free to contact me or post a comment here. I'll try to provide any information I can.

- Raj

P.S. Here is a video of my unboxing the Axe 100 CP so you can see what it looks like and what comes included.

Trip to Montreal

Dear Readers,

I am back after a long time. MBA and then training for the family business have kept me quite busy lately. But at least that's all done with now.

Anyway, my family and I recently went on a vacation to Canada. Seeing as it was 5 adults and 1 child it was financially suitable for us to drive from New York City, where my home is. Being the one in the family that loves to drive, I ended up driving a large majority of the way. It wasn't bad though; the drive through large chunks of forest reserves was quite refreshing.

We were all prepared for some crazy excessive interrogation at the border going into Canada, but surprisingly, there barely asked anything. Just a few simple questions like where we are all from, what I did for a living, where we are going and how long we'll be staying and also if we bought any products such as alcohol, cigarettes or tobacco.

Montreal is an amazing city. So much to do there that no one should be bored at any time. From the Biodome to Mount Royale to the Notre Dame to Saint Joseph's Oratory to the Old Montreal City to the Underground City. It was all memorizing. I particularly loved the Amphibus tour, a guided tour in an open bus/boat that starts on land for first half of the one and a half hour tour in Old Montreal City and then moves in to the adjoining lake to a view of the city from the water. The memorable part of the tour was when our tour vehicle got stuck midway on the ramp while coming out of the water back on to the land at the end. People were going frantic and some even jumped out from the windows in the middle of nowhere (They didn't know the place so ended up coming back only a few minutes later lol).

All in all, it was a great vacation and a much needed break. I only wished it was a bit longer as I felt that there was so much to do and so little time.

Yours Truly,

Raj