ORIGINAL: 73driver

What is the best thing about flying pattern? It is something that poses a consistant challenge, improves one's skill but mostly you are flying with others that feel the same way. Some people like the style of IMAC and some like the style of pattern and then there are those that like both. Either way the notion is the the same, to fly competitivly in a manner or fashion in which you like. But however you fly, the most appealing aspect is those that you compete and fly with (not compete against but compete with, there is a difference).
The modern stlye of aerobatic competion has really priced itself away from the majority of those who fly R/C. With less limitations comes higher levels of performance but yet yeilds a higher cost too. Perhaps that is why pattern is not quite as popular as it once was years ago.

One thing that is appealing about SPA is simply that just about anyone has the resources to participate in it. You do not need high tech radio equipment or super high performance engines and equipment. That in itself keeps the cost reasonable for the most part. As an example you could outfit a Sig Kougar with a good .46 size engine and a 6channel radio (with computer programming) for under $400. This setup along with flying practice could be a very competitive combination. Now if you already have the engine and radio, then the costs are even less ( believe me there are alot of other planes besides the Kougar that could fall into this category). The point here is that you do not need to spend a whole lot of money to fly on a very competitive level. I don't think that most of us will ever be sponsored by any company so the budget we have for this hobby is preset.

Something else to think about as well. In any type or level of competition you will always have people tweaking or modifying their equpment to get an advantage or to acheive better performance. I don't care whether you fly Aerobatics or race turtles, stock or modifed, it is in the human nature to tweak things. Believe me, they did it prior to 1976 and still do it today. It is one thing in pattern flying that has not changed. It kind of gives a whole new meaning to the term purist, right?

One constant in flying aerobatics is this, you can have 10 identical airplanes all set up in identical fashions, so when placed in competition it is the skill of the flyer that determines overall finishing standards. Flying precision aerobatics comes down to this, it is 35% the ability of the airplane and 65% of pilot skills. Another important aspect of pattern is setting up your plane to perform at it's optimum level. These are skills that one gains outside the flying routine. It starts with construction of the plane, equipment installation, and finishing. There have been several times where I was very impressed with someones airplane and I never even saw it fly.

So what is so great about SPA? One thing for sure is this you build it, you fly it, you win it, and even if you don't take the top place place you still love what encompasses the passion of flying model airplanes. To do that with others that feel the same way, is way makes any group great.

The rules and guidelines associated with any level of competition or group will be something that will always be debated, argued and so forth. You like what you like.

By early 2007 I am hoping to have the a northeast chapter formed of the SPA, it will follow all the guidlines set forth by SPA. By the time spring rolls around I am hoping to have a "Fly In" here in the northeast so that we can get together, fly some pattern, and have a great time. Also this year I would like to have a sanctioned contest as well. For any information about any of it please feel free to contact me anytime.
And remeber this;
Pattern Flyers make smoother passes!