Christmas Day, December 25th,2022
First - very happy Christmas to everyone and best wishes for a 2023 that brings a bit more cheer than 2022 has 
Congratulations to all our runners up: @RichGBiscuit, @CSB73, @John768, @datamandan, @Ximi, @Acedrone, @msgyorkie, @GavinNewcombe, @Sandbagger, @Drumsagard, @Clinkadink, @stevesb, @Bobbysmile, @firstadekit, @Dakin, @Dorje, @DroneGeek, @Crackerjack, @evilbuttchimp, @mynameisjoe, @JoeC, @Kirky, @Kings, @Rustybarnet, @hharron, @markas, @kvetner and @BadManners
How can you join this pantheon of greats in 2023? Keep fully informed by joining @group-challenges which will let you know when competitions are starting, when to vote and when the winners are announced. Go out, take pictures, select the best one and post it in the competition thread.
Keep taking pictures. Which golfer was it who said “Yes, I’m lucky. The more I practice, the luckier I get”? And have fun while you are practising or crafting competition entries!
If the RTF doesn’t yet appeal there are various other long-running, one-off or annual challenges to compete in. The Fun and Friendly Edit Competition, the exacting Birthday Challenge and Treasure Hunt, Burns’ Month, The Colour Challenge, the ongoing Calendar Competition and the FPV Trick Competition. And the recently announced 5x5 which already has a longer comments thread than the Birthday Challenge !
Watch out for announcements or check past rounds of the comps in the Challenges category. If you think of anything that might make a good competition - let us know. If you think of anything that could be improved - let us know. If there are subjects you think would make good RTF components in the future - let us know. Just message us @Challenges_Committee or, for RTF subjects, add to the list here
Reader’s voice = “They don’t 'arf like the sound of their own voices! Let’s 'ave sum pikchewers!”
Ok, but we don’t have pictures of all our runners-up. For some reason GADC members are quite timid creatures, not often encountered in the wild though here are some candid shots of a group, gathered together for protection but somewhat emboldened by numbers,
It’s the 2022 Big Meet, held in a great big field on a quiet farm near Corby between 10-12th June. One RTF member managed to wheedle the time off to attend and was entranced at meeting the great and the good, the FPV’ers and the photographers - and Chris Lambourne!
FPV is a very serious affair
Picking newly ripened FPV quads from the CineWhoops tree
@clinkadink spent most of his time on site retrieving his aircraft from vegetation …
This video and the one below are self-explanatory - both courtesy of @Yith - thanks, Richard!
"You haven’t got any pictures of me wearing the pink tutu of shame … "
“Is that right Chris?” (courtesy @Njoro )
The tutu, awarded for FPV cock-ups, changed hands many times during the weekend
Sunset on Saturday night ( @Howard78 )
And another sunset by @Sparkyws
Lastly, chat and food by the campfire
The venue(s) and organiser(s) for the 2023 Big Meet(s) are still to be announced. All help is gratefully received, either details of potential locations (camping and flying space, easily accessible) or volunteers to help with the running.
Let’s all meet up for 2023, it would be great to put faces to names and to have the chance to chat at length rather than to communicate via short, typed messages!
Finally, from all involved in the RTF Competitions and on behalf of the entire staff of Chall Com HQ, we repeat: have a very happy Christmas, a healthy and prosperous New Year and enjoy the competitions in 2023
The RTF experimental department conducting subject feasibility studies.
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