Hey, Randy --

You've gotten some very good answers to your post, and I can only echo most of them. I put a couple of decades into Pattern, and wrote the Pattern column for several different mags, including MA, covered a whole bunch of TOCs, and I wouldn't trade that long, sweet trip for anything. For what it's worth, here are a few observations:

People think Pattern is about maneuvers, but it really isn't; it's about LINES. Think straight up, straight down, and especially straight across. The straight and level pass parallel to the flight line is the hardest maneuver in the book. If you don't think so, just ask most pilots to perform one... All lines in Pattern (or IMAC) have an exactly prescribed angle, be it 0, 45, 60, or 90 degrees. Those precise angles and the smooth transitions from one to the other are what seperate the good pilots from the great ones.

You are on the right track with worries about entries and exits. Good manevers come from good entries, and good entries come from good lines. And a good exit line from one maneuver is the good entry line to the next. If you want to know where the judges will really bust your chops, look right there.

All the maneuvers in every sequence (excepting snaps and spins) are assembled from lines (see above) and loops or partial loops. Straight lines, and smooth, equal radii are the ticket. Next to the straight pass, an absolutely smooth, perfectly circular loop is the hardest maneuver to do.

Your airplane doesn't need to be the latest and greatest, but it should be large enough to be smooth and capable (but you know that...). Whatever you get, spend the time and ask the questions to get a proper set up on it. That will reduce your pilot workload, and allow you the "think" time needed in the sequence. You'll never fly your best if you're always in a reactive mode, and just fighting the equipment to stay right side (or bottom side, or side side) up.

Last, if you think 3D stuff is exciting to fly, wait until you put in your first "burner" in front of the judges. You can reach a "zone" in Pattern that is very comparable to what top athletes experience and talk about -- an absolute "in the moment" experience.

If you can't do it in front of the judges, you really haven't learned it yet. That's why contests are important. A weekend at a contest is worth many hours of practice time, because it absolutely forces you to focus.

Pattern is sort of a correspondence course in how to fly properly; the classes are graduated, and each one contains the lessons needed for the next. You get your grades at every contest. Enjoy your time going up the competition ladder; it's an absolute blast.

Good luck!

Rick Allison