Guys fly IMAC because it is easy to get a competitive model. Period. If it's a couple of pounds heavier then Joe's, well at least it's still legal. And it does appear that the cost is starting to be a factor as at least from what I hear the attendance at IMAC meets was way down this year. The cost of gasoline to haul those big models in those big trailers.

There will always be a certain expense to compete at a high level in any event. But you have to make it easy for the entry level pilots to get in to your event or it is going to die. I see many sportsman pilots fly the 110 size stuff like the H9 Showtime but then stall out when they look at what they have to shell out to get a 2-meter model. Maybe local meets don't check weight, but there is that peer pressure thing to be legal.

This is an interesting discussion, but I don't think anything will change as long as there is a "do what F3A does" mentality. There is of course a world wide market, but maybe the USA could take a stance that would be best for it's interests. I know of the huge relief that many intermediate and advanced pilots going to the Nats would have if the limit was 12 pounds! And BTW, the models should be weighed with batteries or full of fuel. Then a lot of battery life concerns could go away also.