a "pattern" plane is one that is designed to fly the patterns used in contest flying, a thin high powered mid wing design... in contests you have to adhere to strict patterns and schedules of flying.......pylon planes are simular in that they are designed to fly around 2 or 3 pylons at speed,, nascar in the sky,, turn left and go fast, strict fuel limits and no out of bounds, very intense much as pattern flying is......Rog