mjfrederick
Posts: 650
Joined: 8/18/2006
From: Baton Rouge,
LA, USA
Status: offline
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Yes, 8178 hit the nail on the head with his timeline. I began competing in 1990 right after I first learned to do a loop and roll. I flew novice pattern for over a year with my high-wing trainer. I couldn't win because of the plane, but I usually didn't come in last either. By the time I took a break from flying to chase girls I was finishing top-3 in every contest I entered with my O.S. .60 powered Escape. This was around 1993 or 94 (I managed a 10 on 3 inside loops, my shining moment in pattern). Anyway, when I got out I had just gotten a new ship and engine(a YS .61 AR) for Christmas, and it went into mothballs with just a handfull of flights on it. I brought it out briefly about 6 or 7 years ago just to try and get back into the sport, but that came to an abrupt end with the theft of my 7 UAF futaba computer radio. I gave in about a month ago and bought a new radio, and now I have the bug worse than I ever had it before. I went to a small contest last weekend just to see what would happen, and I was extremely pleased. I buddied up with some guys whose names I remembered from the old days, and I struggled my way through 6 rounds of an Intermediate pattern that I had hardly read, let alone practiced and committed to memory. My .61-powered ship showed all the characteristics that you would expect... poor vertical performance and too much speed to provide ample time to think between maneuvers. I didn't care, I was having fun. I have another kit of the plane I'm flying now and I plan to buy a used YS .91 or a new 1.10 to build it around, because the old plane was not the real problem, the power plant was. I've noticed that as much as people seem to be complaining about the changes to pattern, not much other than the move to turnaround has changed. The mantra remains, just a little more specific: stronger but still light, and more power (equated to more torque, hence the 4-strokes). Anyway, my feeling toward pattern is extremely optimistic. It was great to see some old faces at that meet, and along with that I met some of the up-and-coming. The heart of pattern still beats strong because it remains grounded by its roots: straight lines and precise maneuvers. The day I quit pattern flying is the day the AMA (I don't care what FAI does) creates a freestlye portion...
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mjfrederick AMA 275874 NSRCA 4134
Maybe the Dingo ate your baby
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Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Pattern Flying >> Classic Pattern Flying >> Is pattern dead? 
Is pattern dead? - 
RE: Is pattern dead? - 
Let me add my two-cents worth. I agree with the aformentioned opinions expressed. I started in pattern in the mid seventies. In Texas where I lived at the time, going to contests required much long distance traveling. It seemed that there were less competitors at most of these events. I recently flew in the SPA event in Chattanooga (28 fliers) and had a ball. Though I didn't fly that well, the fellowship was well worth the trip. I would recommend that those hardy folks that want to continue the old style of pattern flying join the SPA. You won't be dissapointed. Stop complaining about the four-strokes and join the fray. Yes planes are hard to find. I have now started scratch building from old 
