ual767, I could give a new guy Chip Hyde's 46% Ultimate that won the TOC and he STILL wouldn't be competitive. Why? Because he is NEW. As in any endeavor, it does take some homework to learn HOW to be competitive. He CAN, however, show up with his .60 sized model and have BIG fun getting his feet wet, learning the "ropes", checking out other planes and flyers, asking questions and getting answers and help, and in general, enjoying the show.

JBECK is helping himself tremendously by attending his region's upcoming Flying and Judging Seminar. He doesn't have to wait to start his homework, though, because he can download the 2004 sequences [link=http://www.mini-iac.com/DesktopDefault.aspx]HERE[/link] (in this case the BASIC sequences) so he knows what manuevers are required, and he can also download the IMAC flying and Judging Guidelines [link=http://www.mini-iac.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=90]HERE[/link] and REALLY get a headstart on what judges look for.

A flight sim is a GREAT tool for learning your chosen class manuevers (sequence). I'm going to fly Advanced this year, and I used my Real Flight to get the sequence down pat in BOTH directions (right to left, and left to right). When I went to the field to actually fly through the sequence for the first time, I didn't need a caller because I already KNEW the sequences. I could then use this valuable field flight time to concentrate on learning to FLY the manuevers well, rather than concentrate on trying to learn what the next manuever IS. To keep them fresh, several times each day, I'll fire up the sim and spend 10 minutes flying 2 sequences to the right, and 2 sequences to the left.

The next homework to be done on the road to becoming competive is as majortom-RCU stated, getting out there and PRACTICE "with whatever you have, improve your flying, gain knowledge and confidence". IMHO, the operative thought here is DON'T waste time worrying about the other guy's planes. You have ZERO control over that. It's more constructive to concentrate on things you DO have control over, like learning to fly YOUR plane to its best advantage.