Yeah, if it's a 60 size. In this case, size matters. Larger aircraft give you visibility. You can see the reactions to your inputs and correct even subtle ones. That really improves the feel you get from control, overcontrol, undercontrol of the aircraft during maneuvers and corrections come easy and quick.

I recall the first time I really watched my landings with my Tiger 60. I was landing rather close, but watched the plane as I tweeked the elevator for landing. After I realized how easy and soft inputs made a big difference, three point landings came quick and followed through after that with tail draggers. And, that was just landing. It falls true for every maneuver you make.

Here is a list, in order, of the Sportsman pattern sequences:

Sportsman

1. Takeoff (U) K=1
2. Straight Flight Out (U) K=1
3. Stall turn without rolls K=2
4. Straight Flight Back (D) K=1
5. Half Reverse Cuban 8 K=2
6. Two (2) Inside Loops (U) (Exit Box) K=2
7. Two Point (2/2pt) Roll (D) K=2
8. Half Cuban Eight K=2
9. Cobra without Rolls (U) K=1
10. Immelmann Turn K=2
11. 45 degree Down line (D) (Exit Box) K=1
12. Vertical Up line (on Center) K=1
13. Split –S K=2
14. One Horizontal Roll (D) K=1
15. Half Reverse Cuban 8 K=2
16. Double Immelmann without Rolls (U) K=2
17. Landing K=1
Total K=26

The K is called the K Factor, or level of difficulty. The higher the K factor, the harder the maneuver. The K factors can go up as high as 5.. Figure M with ¾ Rolls (Upwind) K=5, or Square Horizontal Eight, exit Inverted (Downwind) K=5. Ummm.. neither of these are in the sportsman category... they are in the Masters level. I thought I would add that so as not to scare any new potential pattern folks.

"The Box" is an imaginary area defined by a 60 degree angle from the flight line and the pilot's position on the flight line to the right and left (60 degrees right and 60 degrees left, plus 60 degrees high. All maneuvers have to be centered and equal on each side of the pilot on his/her flight station. Officially defined as "within a maneuvering area or “box” bounded by lines 60 degrees each side of center. The vertical height shall not exceed 60 degrees from the horizontal." Landing counts. A crash will equal a zero score for the whole run. So, practice landings too!! They have to look pretty and be on center.. of course..

Take a look here for the AMA rules and a complete description of the maneuvers for all classes of Pattern.

http://www.centralhobbies.com/instru.../ama_rules.pdf

CGr