Many (but not all) IMAC planes nowadays are wing loaded about the same as the better pattern planes and actually perform at least as well on the available power. IMAC designs often need more work to fly in a pattern-like manner but that's doable too.
My perception is that a 12 pitch prop helps there. I heard that Quique Somanzini used to fly a 26x12 on the early DA100s. Could be just coincidence.
Patternlike performance is mainly had by longer tail moments, as much as 1/3 longer for pattern models, which make a model really groove. A tail moment that is only 2 X MAC or less sported by almost all IMAC planes will not groove as well as one that is 3 X MAC sported by most pattern planes
Thanks Matt. That's it in a nutshell. The Andrew Jesky (notable Pattern pilot and designer) AJ Slick IMAC/3D designs are getting closer to that. Looking at the videos, the AJ Slicks seem to have a definite Pattern groove in IMAC precision maneuvers.
Pretty sure an AJ Slick will be my next IMAC plane.
Sorry to get off topic.