What I like about pattern planes is that they SPOIL you. There is nothing wrong with a UCD, but it is designed as a compromise for
3-D flying or aerobatics. Personally, I fly SPA, (Senior Pattern Assoc), it is my little niche in R/C. Even the oldest pattern planes of the mid to late 60s were designed to fly silky-smooth, and hold their heading until you tell them otherwise. A PROPERLY TRIMMED pattern plane is an absolute JOY to fly---you will wonder why you ever were happy wrestling short-coupled sport planes around the sky. Even if you are not interested in competition, (and I know you are), they STILL are a joy to fly as a "sport" plane. Also, the larger they are, the better they seem to fly, and the more graceful they seem to appear tracing out the maneuvers.

I totally agree with Renegade in that you should always fly with a purpose, and precision, (emphasis on precision), pattern fulfills that purpose for many of us. There is always a challenge--something to work on and practice, largely because of the upcoming contest in front of the judges, you have that incentive to get out there and burn fuel in the pursuit of perfection. You will QUICKLY become a better pilot because you MUST put the plane in a certain place at a certain time, not just "frog around" wherever the plane happens to be with random loops and rolls.

Once you become more accomplished, you have the JOY, (there's that word again), and satisfaction of watching your own plane perform those beautiful, graceful maneuvers to perfection. My personal favorites in SPA are either the Reverse or "regular" Cuban Eight, and the Double Stall Turn. To watch the plane just "hang there" for a moment during the stall, then kick over into a perfect downline, and repeat it on the other side is truly a beautiful sight.

Just a short plug for my upcoming article in Model Aviation about SPA competition--it is a follow-up to my original May 2006 introductory article on SPA and VR/CS. The second will be a major article in the July issue, and hopefully will be enjoyable to all pattern, and potential pattern flyers. Please look out for it, and hope you enjoy it.

I would appreciate your comments.

Duane