Hi
This is my first post so please be gentle with a virgin
I have started model flying at 68 yrs old & have passed my A test & getting towards the B test
I have now had enough flying to decide what route I want to go. I like the IMAC type sequences & think that trying the set patterns must be a better way of learning rather than just chucking a plane around the sky with no real intention in mind
At present I have a ripmax Jive which is Ok but not what i really want.

Just 3D is not my scene It probably does help with stick training though

I also have a Ripmax Bullet which I thought would help with patterns but to be honest I am not really that convinced that it is a crisp flying plane. I can do better rolls & rolling circuits etc with my WOT trainer than i can the Bullet which just looses height so quick in rolls etc inspite of hard work on the elevator

So what i want advice on is ( sorry this question must have been asked a thousand times so here is No 1001)
What will give me best pattern experience within the following parameters

Preferably ARF,under £ 250-00 UK for the basic plane, ( figure does not inc engine & servos which would be extra) Nitro 2 stroke up to .61, ( not interested in 4 stroke etc), tail dragger ( i hate the Bullets tricycle) NOT foam,& of course obtainable in the Uk without massive shipping cost.Finally fairly easy to see the orientation ( at 68 my eyes are wearing out !!!)so graphics that help this would be a bonus

This forum seems to be dominated by American forumites & all the models seem to be large & cost big bucks , so not in my price bracket nor are they obtainable in UK

Any help gratefully received
Thanks

If you want to fly IMAC I suggest you learn the rudder. As far a plane goes a 30 CC gasser would be the smallest I'd go. I had a kid kick my butt a couple of years ago with a 30.
Good luck

It's not clear how much you've researched this, but to compete in pattern and IMAC will require two different planes. What's legal for one isn't legal for the other. Actually I guess you could fly an IMAC type plane in F3A pattern if it was within the size limits, but it wouldn't be competitive. But if the intent is simply to work on your aerobatic skills and you want a good plane to do that with, we can help you there.

I'm going to recommend one of the SPA (senior pattern association) legal airplanes. They are all in the size you're looking for, and they are a well-behaved, neutral handling planes that tolerate wind well and will have very little coupling with your control inputs. A few to consider (in no particular order) are the Tower Hobbies Kaos (easily the most produced plane in the history of pattern flying), the Goldberg Skylark (bigger and a bit slower), the World Models Intruder (crazy stable and smooth, but harder to spin), or a Dirty Birdy (great all around plane, but recently discontinued).

After flying with one of these old school pattern planes for a while, an IMAC plane will be a good third model. I'll second jetmech05's recommendation to go with at least a 30cc size model, but really you should get the biggest one you can afford. Bigger flies better, and it's easier to see. If you're serious about competition you'll have a hard time winning in a contest when other pilots are flying 40% models in the 200cc range if you are flying a 30cc size bird.

A Blackhorse Bravo 303 fits you.r needs to a T. It will fly nicely with a good 61 but a 90 2 st is better. Ripmax listed them but it was a while ago so they may be discontinued.If you come across one used or on fleabay snap it up.

They have larger than normal control surfaces so can do many of the milder 3D stuff but it is as smooth flying model that can breeze through all the pattern manouvres that it really scores. It has a nice long moment arm that helps with directional stability.

I had one while I was looking for a something smoother to fly when practicing for the C test. I had a ST 90 in mine. I really enjoyed flying it especially in things like 4 pt rolls and double stall turns with half rolls. It made me look good.

Jester & J Dunker
Thanks for the replies I will have a look at the models suggested
What i should point out is that i am not looking to actually do IMAC comps but am impressed by the patterns & feel that by trying for some form of self training is better than just flying aimlessly around if I want to improve
Of course if i did get better then i would invest the cash & go up a notch-- But that is a pipe dream at present
I just wanted some suggestions & guidance on models to try out

I just want to add a couple things here to clear up some possible misconceptions. First off for the introductory classes in both AMA pattern and IMAC any airplane is allowed. For IMAC it is referred to as the basic class and for pattern it would be the sportsman class. The OP has said he likes the IMAC sequences better. An SPA legal airplane will fly the basic sequence well but that's all, It will struggle with the IMAC sportsman sequence due to the fact they don't snap roll well and lack the fuselage side arena to maintain knife edge attitude at slow speeds. The other misconception is that the larger airplane would always win. Not true, I have seen many times where 35% and 40% airplanes were poorly set up and flown and a smaller airplane was flown by someone who had it set up well and was well practiced. Just weekend before last we had a young man flying a Parkzone T28 in basic class. The OP is correvt in that going out and flying a sequence is a very fast way to pick up skills in a short time. Progress will be seen from day one. My suggestion is for the OP to pick up any of the 72" span aerobatic airplanes such as an Edge, Extra, YAk ect. If he is interested in building a kit, then look at RCU, RCG classifieds and see if he can find a Goldberg Sukhoi, Ultimate, Lanier 1/4 scale Laser, Midwest Giles 202 or equivalent. Power any of these with a 2 stroke 1.20 engine with a pitts muffler and he is good to go.

He did say up to a .61 for power so that puts a limit on things, so does the ARF but there are a lot of good selections in ARF form. As Speed mentioned, it is a lot more about the planes set up then anything. As a builder I had some good choices in that size department back in the day so for pattern type flying I liked the 60 size Kaos and Dirty Birdy and for IMAC it's hard to beat an Extra, Sukhoi or Yak. These three planes are easy to locate in the size ARF you are looking for.
My old Goldberg 60 size Extra has a 68 inch wing and was a good IMAC plane before all the judges went blind and can no longer see any plane smaller then a 40%. Fantastic plane but it's powered with a 120 four stroke. The 60 two stroke just didn't have the pull I liked. A 60 will fly it but not well.
Just look at the 60 size ARFs and pick out the one you like. I like Aeroworks planes, pretty good quality but a bit over priced but you do have to pay more when they use real glue.