Don, I've been flying for 6 years now mainly Edges, Extra's, Caps, 50cc size and down. At my club we have no pattern guys to ask questions about how to get started in pattern. By that I mean how would you advise someone on the following questions?

What plane should I start with? (size and motor)
How often and what pattern to practice?
How do you go about entering a contest?
Has anyone one wrote a book on Pattern flying for dummies?

Thanks
Bobby