ORIGINAL: tommy s
I've flown pattern for years and will continue to do so but to be honest the pattern sequences
suck. We wanted to be just like the rest of the world so we would have a chance at the world
championships but the sequences are not very interesting. The reason IMAC is growing is the
airplanes and the maneuvers are more FUN !!!
I think anyone who flew the old AMA pattern and who would give you an honest opinion would
tell you it was a lot more fun back then, but it's not going to change back so why fight it, it's all
about money now, the manufacturers are surely not going to quit building all this stuff we need
now to be competitive and go back in time, so who knows what the answer is ?
tommy s
Sorry Tommy, but I don't agree at all.
For me, flying pattern is significantly more fun than flying IMAC. Pattern is more disciplined and demanding of the pilot IMO. I flew at my first IMAC contest this past weekend and although I thought the IMAC schedules looked like a whole lot more fun I found myself rather displeased with the level of competition. Pattern required you to hold a line, fly in a box, center your maneuvers, match radiuses, etc. These are ALL things that IMAC does not require a majority of the time and it just made it seem too much like I was going up to fly on a Sunday afternoon. IMAC was too centered around whether you hit your point on a snap/roll or not. Pattern requires more control over the airplane and a better understanding of the geometry of a maneuver. Fly unlimited then go fly F3A. For me, F3A presents a much bigger challenge and therefore is more
fun. Other people's definition of fun may be different, but I just love to challenge myself to be the best that I can.
I won't lie though, the freestyle was pretty darn fun. Something different that kept me interested.
And remember, this is a 16 year old kid your talking to, not a 60 year old senior. Not all kids like to flop the sticks and fly 3D all the time.
Brett