No difference in the maneuvers? The piloting skills are similar, but that is as far as it goes.

Actually, there are big differences in the sequences being flown. First, Pattern changes its sequences once every rule change. Now that the AMA is on a 2 year rule sequence, they will change every two years, up until now, it has been every three years. IMAC changes its sequence every year.

Unlike Pattern, Scale Aerobatic sequences are made up of figures which are contained in the FAI Catalog. There is no such figures as a Top Hat, a Triangle Loop, a Bunt or other Pattern specific figures in the FAI Catalog. Scale Aerobatic sequences are made up solely from the Catalog. In Scale Aerobatics the K factors are all from the FAI Catalog. Pattern pilots fly the pattern sequence for the class they are in. SA pilots fly the SA sequence for their class, but (except basic) also get an unknown sequence which they have to fly for a score which they will never have flown before being judged. Flying the unknown was my biggest reason for moving up.

There is very little use of cross-box figures in Pattern, whereas there are cross-box figures in almost all Scale Aerobatic sequences, and they can be a significant part of the sequence.

One of the problems I've seen in SA involves the use of pattern judges. They generally use pattern judging criteria for SA and when asked about it, readily admit the practice and tell you its just fine for SA (if they don't incorrectly try to tell you they are the same). The scoring criteria are not the same. For example, Pattern uses 1 pt per 15 degree in heading error, while SA uses 1 pt per 10 degree heading error. (Full size uses 1 pt per 5 degrees) In Pattern they judge take offs and landings. SA does not.

If you view what Pattern and SA do and all you see is dancing in the sky, they might seem the same to a casual observer. But anyone who has flown in either and taken an interest in what they are doing really should be able to identify the differences easily. Polo and dressage both involve riding a horse, but that doesn't make them the same thing.

Although there are differences between pattern and SA, experience in one will help with the other. I've just seen too many pattern pilots come out to try SA and do well out of the box to believe differently.

Fly what you like, but don't believe anyone who says they are the same. BTW, the discipline is called Scale Aerobatics. The AMA Scale Aerobatic SIG is called IMAC. But the two words are not interchangable. It would be like arguing that !QUOT!baseball!QUOT! and !QUOT!Yankees!QUOT! means the same. Somehow, I don't think Red Soxs fans will react favorably to being asked if they would like to go to see a Yankee game.