Welp....good questions. Now bear with me, cuz now I'm gonna give you some good answers.

Most people are "bored to death" when they watch pattern. Why? Because pattern is for doing, not watching. It's hard to appreciate the skill involved when all you see is a plane flying very straight, and making large, round loop segments etc.

But try it THEN the boredom ENDS QUICKLY. Although beware, in almost every case, just flying a straight line for the first time will make you pull your hair out. And by straight, I mean DEAD straight...wings perfectly level, a person should be able to hold up a straight edge and your plane kiss the top of it all the way across the box. Sound easy? Now add wind.....and do the same. This is the FIRST basic principle of pattern flight. ALL manuevers begin and end with a straight line.

Pattern is where almost all of the top fliers get their start. That's not an accident. Pattern teaches you everything you need for a solid foundation of CONTROL over a radio control aircraft. From there, this is what makes an IMAC pilot whip butt, or a GOOD 3D pilot fly 3D manuevers and make it look smooth. But the control MUST come first, and this is where pattern becomes such a bread and butter activity for a skilled competetive pilot. There are a few exceptions of course, but they are just that...exceptions.

As for the question about the airplane.....the answer is maybe, maybe not. If it can fly straight and level, roll cleanly, and posess enough vertical power for an extended up line (and remain STRAIGHT) then maybe. If it gets blown around by the wind too much or is underpowered, well then you'd probably be better off getting a pattern type plane.

Lots of people will tell you all you need is an Ultra Sport or Kaos or whatever. I am not going to tell you that. I am going to tell you the truth If you want to fly pattern, get a pattern plane. Even if it's a 40-60 size, get something designed to fly PATTERN. The Widebody 60 from CA models is probably the best entry level pattern plane currently available. But remember, the bigger they are, the better they fly. So the closer you get to a 2 meter plane, the more you will enjoy it. If you want you could get an Epsilon (sister to teh Widebody) and it will 3d too. Although teh Widebody will 3d well in it's own right, the Epsilon is a bit lighter.

They also make a Widebody 40, and Hangar 9 has the Arresti 40 (which I have seen beat 2 meter planes in competition).

You're in Pensacola, I'd have a chat with Tony Stillman. If he can't put you on the right path, nobody can. I'm sure he would be glad to help.

Lastly, here's one most people won't tell you you NEED to do...COMPETE!!!! Guys in the Southeast are some of the coolest people on earth, and nothing FORCES you to improve your flying skills quite like flying in front of judges. Why not have some fun and get some wood for the wall while you're at it? Remember to enjoy the journey TO the destination, and you will find pattern is a very rewarding end in itself.

Now get out there and fly some lines bro [8D]

-Mike