Very interesting reading. This will be my first year in IMAC. I have only been flying RC for about 9 months now. I have spent the last few months practicing at least 3 days a week. Great fun learning to fly straight. There are a group of guys here in San Diego who are serious IMAC veterans who have generously been coaching me. They are divided on where I should start for many of the reasons discussed in this thread. While I have mostly been practicing Basic, lately I have also been doing the Sportsman sequences at least one flight per practice session. I can do both equaly badly. In the end it will come down to my comfort level. I want my first contest to be fun and I wont even get my 100cc plane in the air for a couple of more weeks. Therefore I am leaning toward doing at least my first contest (Cactus Clasic) in Basic. When I feel comfortable, I will move up to Sportsman early in the year because I really do want to fly unknowns so I get the full experience. Just my thoughts, I look forward to your inputs.

-STEVE-