ORIGINAL: BHolsten
There can be no parady drawn between F3A pattern and IMAC other than they both strive to achieve precission throughout the flight envelope.
I'm not so sure? I fly F3A ships and have flown 40% IMAC stuff and 40% stuff can easily fit into an F3A box if the throttle is used correctly. Your typical F3A box is 1000ft high with a baseline ~1700ft long and don't think that an F3A ship won't shrink that box quick smart if you're a few seconds slow in throttling back. I will admit it was more difficult to keep a big Extra slowed down than a big Yak.
I can see where a rolling circle can/will land IMAC guys into trouble if you're already starting 300+ ft out from the deadline, but surely shedule designers could pay a little attention and use a cross box turnaround to bring the planes in a bit and a cross box turnaround to take you back out? I understand in some areas they've ditched the turnaround-centre-turnaround and fly more a sort of turnaround-turnaround sequence in space sensitive areas.
I just hope that the enthusiasm for IMAC doesn't get crushed by rules and regulations.