Mike,

The best advice I can give you is to have a good time. When I flew in my first IMAC contest, I flew Basic with a Goldberg Ultimate. Lucky me - I got drawn to fly FIRST. So I didn't get the chance to see anyone else fly. When I think back on what my caller must have been thinking (he was an Advanced pilot), I must have scared the crap out of him flying full throttle right down the runway! But I had a great time. Watch the other guys, talk to them, ask questions. Most of the guys there will be falling over backwards trying to help you. You will probably leave the contest with lots of energy to get back home and practice what you learned.

As for flying - try to take your time between manuevers, relax, keep the throttle off the firewall (that is a hard thing to do when you are nervous), and LEARN.

Hope you have a great time,
Ken