Absolutely the most important thing for pattern flight is learning to fly true straight and level at a constant distance and altitude. Every spring, the first thing I do is go out and fly back and forth, flight after flight with a turn around on each end. Working to stay at 150m roughly at a constant altitude. This also goes along with learning to fly with the wings truly level. What appears level may not be exactly level when someone is actually out at that distance watching. This requires another person out in the field watching and two radios help. Every maneuver starts and ends with straight level flight. There is nothing more important in the course of a flight. Once you get this down then you can begin to work on maneuvers. This is very time consuming and frustrating at times, but once you get it right it will help you through EVERY class of pattern.

Arch Stafford