I've said my piece on this in other threads in other areas, but it still amazes me when someone *yawns* at pattern but has never tried it. Perhaps it's because pattern doesn't get the glossy cover shots of the mags like the hovering extras, or that you hardly ever read a report about a pattern contest anymore. When's the last time you saw a construction article on a pattern plane?

The fun of pattern is not only in the doing, but in actual competition. I don't care how good you think you are, go enter one competition and see if you feel like you're watching paint dry. See if your hands don't shake. Let's see if you yawn. But better yet, let's see your scores

Sportsman is either hit or miss in the US...either there will be a ringer there, or everyone will suck. So if you want a challenge, step on up to intermediate. And get ready for the most humbling experience of your life, if you aren't WELL practiced. But of course by teh time you ARE well practiced, you wouldn't be saying how it was boring.....you'd simply understand why we do it. And watch how much better all teh rest of your flying becomes almost immediately when you begin paying attention to details most people don't even notice.

-Mike