Havent read the whole thread but I can guess...

You can not judge the difficulty or talent required of pattern flying until you have done it - competitively - be that at good club level or otherise.

These days, with advances in design and construction, and the playstation generation 3D is becoming "thenorm"....even the definition is up for more debate than how well it is performed.

Freestyle Aero should the ultimate game....... this can not be done with a fun fly or a pure pattern ship but the best judges will award the prize to those that combine each to the best effect.

I know plenty of people that can be seen to be excellent "3D pilots" and most are real younguns...... ask them to do a precise long slow roll from one end of the field to the other and thats another matter.

The best freestyle pilots in the world are those that are accomplished at the very difficult art of F3a and the artistic art of freestyle / 3D.

To be good at one is not enough, and these days the 3D bit is the easiest bit..... whilst the F3a (albeit through its changes) is the the hardest, most basic and oldest bit !

NEVER knock someone trying to achieve F3a perfection...........chances are you will never come close !