Once again, where do you guys get your $$ estimates???????????

My previous post is FACTUAL, but yet totally ignored in the posts below it. I try to be honest and truthful, and was, but ..... let's ignore that and continue to misstate the numbers.

Sorry I don't know how to do the quote function.

4-5K for pattern is not correct.

Stating a 40% plane is the same cost as a pattern plane is not correct.

I wonder at times when will the rumors and mis-lead info stop.

Granted if you have it built for you, more $$ but that takes the 7.5K IMAC plane up to 9K also.

If we want to compare numbers, come on, lets be truthful and honest. Before thinking I am crazy realize I have done both, know the actual numbers, and build all my own planes, IMAC or Pattern. 6 years ago, I was pulling $25K behind my pick-up to an IMAC contest. That particular year I flew in 16 IMAC/Pattern contests. So let's talk honest $$$ here. I'm game if someone really really wants the truth instead of propagating the continual un-truth.

If you want to compare electric, well you can't unless you look at Mark Leesburg's elect 40% with 4 electric motors and all the electric hardware. plus the gear box etc etc. Let's add in the trailer for most 40% people. I can build 3 FAI quality pattern planes for the cost of 1 40% plane. This is the TRUTH. Fuel, for me ysDZ $15 gal, 8 flights a gal. Gas $2.75/gal, plus oil, with a 40%, 3-4 flights a gal.( still cheaper) Prop strike 40% $80-180 (2 vs 3 blade prop), Pattern $11. I've been there I've done it!!

Let's be honest.

Wow factor, youbet 40% is Wow, and 3D is fun, but most IMAC winners fly like Pattern pilots, just with many more snaps, and less than 1/2 the manuevers in a sequence. Masters has 2 snaps and 1 spin, Advanced IMAC has 1 spin and like 12 snaps (don't remember for sure)

Audience appeal, IMAC/3D has it, Pattern doesn't, agreed. Competitor appeal, both are fun, challenging, IMAC has unknowns, both can win with what you bring in Sportsman (haven't seen a pattern ship in sporsman pattern for some time now, but have seen 40-35% in IMAC sportsman routinely) Both present different challenges, and different manuevers. They simply are not the same, and that should be the bottom line. Both however are aerobatics being judged from a published set of rules and guidelines.

Some parts of the country IMAC is thriving, others Pattern is thriving. This has gone on for the past 10 years. Peaks and valleys in both. That is just the way it is. Some will try one or the other, some will stick, most will not in both!! The why and where fors will be discussed in nauseum infinitum without any clear cut reasons. I have seen poor personal behavior in both disciplines. I have seen cut throat win at all cost attitudes in both disciplines. I have seen Pattern pilots go way way out of their way to help another pilot, but honestly in IMAC this doesn't happen nearly as much, at least in my experience.

This is a lot, but what I see.

Ed