While I don't fly competition pattern any more, When I was first starting to fly competitively (this was in the 60's) I would ask the judges that scored my flight what I did wrong and what I needed to improve on.

The Judges were Advanced pattern flyers or had been, they were a great help in me being able to advance my flying skills, both in competition and in every day flying.

When I wasn't flying competition and I was out at the local field flying, I was practicing the pattern, not just flying around. I would typically go through 125 gallons of fuel (12-0zs at a time flying a .60 sized pattern plane) during that years flying season.

You need to know the pattern class sequences that you are competiting in bckwards and forwards, both from the left and the right as you never know from which side of the field the wind will be blowing.

I wasn't the best pattern flyer in my class, but I was one of the most dedicated, now almost 50 yrs later I still go out to the field and fly the pattern. I still enjoy it now as much as I did then. Old habits die hard.

Jim