I just read Tony Frackowiak's article in the December K-Factor. I totally agree that a quick way to get more folks active in Pattern is some rules changes. It has been obvious that other categories of RC have blossomed while Pattern has wilted. I say do anything to make the plane fly better. One is to allow gyros and number two is get rid of the box. I watch Mark Thomas practice IMAC with a 40% airplane and he is within 200 yards almost all the time. Guess what? Everyone can see it better. The pilot first, so he can fly it better, and the judges next so they can judge it better.
Jim O
Flew pattern for years in the 70's and for a short time in the 90's. I have been to 2 turnaround contests in the last couple of years and saw 2000 dollar composite ARF's flying slow, boring patterns and all of the planes and patterns looked the same.
Pattern is dead, Kids have much more interesting things to do and the average guy can't afford to compete. I am actually looking to fly SPA but not happy there either with the no retracts - pipes regs.
IMO