ORIGINAL: nonstoprc
I too favor the keeping of the weight rule and allowing slight weight increase for the use of heavy battery packs.
The other point is that the current f3a planes are well optimized for AMA classes. Other planes such IMAC ones probably will not fly as well the sequences. So there may be a disadvantage to use non-pattern planes in a pattern contest.
You will find some IMAC airplanes that would do a very credible job with the lower sequences. The 78" EF Extra is one such model with its Patternesque tail moment. And given adequate practice with any given aerobatic airframe, the more skilled flier will win ever time.
One of the guys at my club flies IMAC Sportsman. When he was flying Basic, he competed against guys that flew top of the line Pattern stuff. Guess what....the pattern planes did not win. This has been said before, ad nauseum: practice, practice, practice.
Just because a plane might be deficient in some area doesn't mean the pilot has the same deficiency........