I fly pattern but fly with a few talented IMAC pilots, and watch them and talk to them a lot. I have a Yak and am interested in trying some IMAC sequences next year, but will stick with pattern as my primary focus.

Totally up to you what you want to do - maybe find some videos to watch online? Pattern seems more graceful, more fluid, more precise. IMAC has a LOT of snap rolls and less emphasis on when/where a maneuver starts and ends.

I am not an expert, just flying pattern since I started flying planes 3-4 years ago, but these are some of my thoughts:

One thing I notice is that IMAC uses a lot more ARESTI than pattern:
In pattern, maneuvers are called out by names - "top hat with 1/4 rolls" "cobra with half rolls" "Humpty push-pull-pull (from inverted)" 3 maneuvers
In IMAC, the maneuvers are called out as segments - "pull to 45 degrees, one and a half positive snap. Push 5/8 loop..." part of one maneuver

Pattern planes fly GREAT. Very straight and precise. Scale aerobats (to me) are a lot more 'twitchy' and ready to spin/snap/roll in any direction at any time.


It is great that you are interested in either, or both! It adds a new level to flying - challenge and practice, and will make you a much, much better pilot.

So stay up on using your rudder