I know 3d and 4d, but what is pattern flying? I am going to get into planes sometime next year, got a big move coming up, and was wondering what pattern flying was all about. This is the only place I have actually "heard" the term used. Thanks in advance.

Pattern was the first type of serious competition. It is flying a "Pattern" of set maneuvers. All maneuvers must be performed within an imaginary "Box" and the maneuvers must be precise. Like 3 consecutive loops, but the loops must be perfectly round (no ovals), and they must be one on top of the other, and you must maintain the same speed while coming down as you had going up.

At each end of the "Box" you must do a turning maneuver, like a Split S, or Hammer Head, then return for the next maneuver on the list.

Its formal name is precision aerobatics or F3A competition. Think of it as compulsary figure skating with airplanes. A set of judges grade each maneuver. Planes don't have to be scale models of full size aircraft but have a two meter maximum wingspan and a 11 pound maximum weight. They also have to pass a noise test and can be downgraded for making too much noise during a maneuver.

There are other aerobatic competitions as well such as IMAC where there is no size limit but the planes have to be scale models of full size aerobatic planes and must have a pilot figure in the cockpit.

Cool. Thanks.

If you're at all curious about pattern flying, you should visit the http://www.nsrca.org website.