Yes .that's a pretty good analogy.
the first step starts out pretty basic and it's called sportsman class and you can fly in it with almost any plane so you don't have to go out and spend a bunch of money on a purpose built pattern plane just to give it a try.

Taks a look at the National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics(NSRCA)websites below: The NSRCA is the AMA sig for Precision Aerobatics(Pattern). there is lots of information there.
Beginners FAQ
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/beginnerA.htm[/link]
What is Pattern
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/newguysA.htm[/link]
Airplane Trimming Guide
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/trimA.htm[/link]
a List of all the different schedules and their resprective sequences
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/scheduleA.htm[/link]

If you have any more questions , post 'em here we'll try to answer you as best as we can.
And plan on attending a contest even if just to watch. Give it a try before you decide if it 's for you or not. You might be surprised.
Eddie