OK - for those of use who take this beyond fun tell us what you think?

Pattern and TOC is about as similar as Formual One racing and "World of Outlaws". They use airplanes, engines, and radios, and fly vaguely similar maneuvers, but the similarities end there, for sure!

And - Pattern competition is more like Olympic Figure skating, without the "free program"....it's just ALL compulsories. About the same degree of judging complexity and variation, and in the upper divisions, about the same chance of a "no name" coming out on top.

Maybe you should include that as a vote option....

Here's my take having participated in one of each contest this year (and also having attended the Nats in Muncie, ID as support crew for a guys competing in Advanced class):

Pattern has a slightly more "serious" setting to it. Contrary to what many say, I didn't find pattern guys stand-offish at all. They'll actually dive in to help any contestant having trouble with their gear. They also seem to be aware that they have an image problem and work hard to promote their competition format. I had a Master's class pilot and a Advanced class pilot offer to call for me during a couple of rounds and their running comment and tips helped me win the contest in the Sportsman class (thanks Danny and Anthony).

Pattern flying only seems boring until you actually try it. Once you do, the desire to match what the big boys can do becomes (at least for me) an irresistable challenge, that you want to acheive.

For sure, I still spend part of each flight with my 120 powered laser just "cutting loose" and doing wild free-form stunts, but another part of each flying session is also dedicated to practicing the sequence and learning from the hard core pattern flyers.

IMAC, is much the same, except that the setting is more laid-back and relaxed. The competition is still just as intense, though. What I like about IMAC is the fact that the planes are much prettier in my opinion. And the free style segment flown to music, was the most fun I've had in years flying a model airplane.

Dressage is a good analogy. 100% of pattern and most of the TOC, around 85%, is precision aerobatics. The public loves, and everybody talks about, freestyle segments, but they're the least factor in scoring.

The big difference between Pattern and TOC is that the TOC places a huge premium on flying the Unknown precision routines. It requires a fairly knowledgeable spectator to appreciate this element of the event.

I just started practicing the IMAC basic with a lowly GCM Sukhoi. Why would I fly a humpty bump over and over again? I take great pleasure in making the most perfect line I can. I can still have fun just bombing around the field, but I always feel that I could burn fuel faster with a match. Why use a plane to do it. It's like any sport. The thrill comes from pushing your limits and achieving an ever increasing level of difficulty.

The first time I flew my own dremt-up turn-around routine when I was 16, there was no turning back.

Put me down for the Olympics