It was so much fun! I've never seen pattern flying before today (precision aerobatics where everyone flies the same routine and gets judged), except one video of a guy on a sim. The masters were so graceful; watching them made me feel like I was soaring through the clouds with the plane or something. OK sounds cooky but it was really spectacular.

I competed in the Sportsmans class and took home a third place plaque. It was humbling though, I definitely received my fair share of zeros for missed or aborted maneuvers.

I learned how to use my rudder inverted which was totally cool. I was thinking about how to do this a week ago and never would have thought I'd actually be using my rudder inverted yet. I'm pretty psyched.

Anyway, just wanted to plug pattern flying and hope some other beginners/new guys take the time to check it out, and even try flying the routine for yourself. You can find it here: http://nsrca.us/

congrates on the placement[sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]what were you flying and what engine are you using? I never really thought about pattern, probably cause there isnt much in my area. combat more of my thing. again congratulations!!!

Joe,

I read a few of your other posts...You have the same enthusiasm and buzz that I had after my 1st contest (you are officially hooked my friend). It is rare to see a pilot solo 2 months ago and go to a contest and have so much fun. Life is great...It should be illegal to have that much fun...

So a lingering question were I asked you to be honest with your self. Now that you know what straight and level is, how much of it was the plane not being straight that caused problems when pulling to vertical..

When you go back to your club and start practicing people will start to notice your flying ability. I'm in the lower half of the intermediate class skill wise, but everyone at my field will land when I get ready to fly. They just like to watching the 2M Pattern Plane fly. They think it's very smooth, but I kind of feel a bit embarassed because I know how most advanced and masters class are flying and between them and FAI, it's a real treat.

Glad you did it, and I it sounds like you had a great time...

Hope to see you on the trails...

Larry Diamond

You would be very surprised to know how much pattern is out in your area. If you would like me to find a contact, I will do my best. Like Joe said, go to the NSRCA site...Join the discussion group and learn a lot...Enjoy the entertainment when they start talking about Snaps and Spins...You'll learn much, but it does get entertaining.

Also try the Pattern Forum as well...Great info and many top pilots ready to help answer basic questions about pattern flying...

LLD

Thanks LLD, I will check on those sites. Im sure there is some in Fresno CA, bout an hour drive. there also doing IMAAC there. I jst started the combat, Im going to a meet in two weeks. Im getting ready for that now, I got 6 more planes to build.

Congratulations on placing third, gaRCfield! That's an amazing accomplishment considering how you just started flying a couple months ago!

Way to go!

I was flying a Phoenix Dolphin with a .46AX. It LITERALLY started on the first flip EVERY time (you only have 3 mins. to get running and ready to fly). There's not much pattern in this area either. I drove 3 hours for this one, will be driving 4 and 5 hours for the next two. But this is the most fun I've ever had (RC flying) and I've cut back on driving to other things so I can still enjoy my life. Happiness is pretty darn important, so I've made getting to RC events a priority.

LLD, while my plane IS crooked and does like to pull out of loops, it is consistent and therefore correctable, so I have to say at least 90% of it is me. I have to learn how to do these moves in a cross wind and get back on line, or not let the wind blow me off my line. It became really apparent at the meet as there was a steady cross wind, and I was constantly drifting out. If it was the plane, I would have drifted out on one side and in on the other side. I'm learning how to correct myself when inverted, and next I have to learn to make corrections when vertical from both aspects (looking at canopy and gear). OH I switched to a 12"prop in the middle of the competition and it TOTALLY helped with EVERYTHING. More pull means more accurate loops I guess, but I'm now hooked on a bigger prop and flying much better (I went straight from the meet in NH to my field in VT!!!

"My name is Joe, and I'm a pattern pilot." "Hi, Joe!"

There was a really great guy there who showed me the ropes. I asked him about the plane, and he said to fly it until those corrections become second nature. It will make me a better pilot, and when that happens I'll get my first pattern ship.

Thanks guys.

I have to point out that there was a very limited showing due to the National meet this upcoming week. The real victory is that I showed up and competed and wasn't afraid to be humbled or to learn from the guys with experience.

wow thats cool, good job. I know what you mean about flying takes priority. the next combat is a 3 1/2 hr drive. again great job!!!

Joe,

As others have pointed out, your plane being less than perfectly straight adds to the pilot work load during flight. Once you get your hands on your next plane and it is straight and trimmed you will really appreciate the difference it makes when flying pattern. Not so important and noticable for sport flying. But as you continue to excel every scored point will start to count...

I hope others read your posts and see how much fun they are missing.

Good luck and enjoy...

LLD

Me too!

Doesn't sound kooky at all. Seeing an expert pilot fly one of those planes is amazing. They are extremely graceful and just seem to defy gravity. Much different that watching some overpowered, ultra light weight airplane flipping and flopping as it is violently thrown around the sky.

chuck, do you have pattern in clovis or fresno? im down south east of visalia about 30 min. also do you guys up there do any formal combat? I would love to at least see some pattern flying. let me know on the next event your club is doing thanks

Joe, Im sure glad you tried pattern. it was scary im sure. it takes guts to try something new especially when we know we are beginers. I hope others will get out of the box and try new stuff. pattern, imaac, 3d, combat, scale. there is a whole world of stuff to do than just fly around sunday afternoon, which that is ok also. I had no intentions of trying combat until another club member said, give it a try. so I did along with another rookie buddy of mine he ended up tieing for first. he also had been flying for just a few months. Thank you for the inspiring story of you first time experiances

gaRCfield,

How many pilots were there? You know that if you place first, second, or third and score above at least four other fliers you have to move on to intermediate at the end of the year.

There is usually a pattern contest at the field once a year but that's about it. A for combat, nothing that I am aware of. Pylon racing seems to be the big thing around here. Check out the events page:

http://frcm.org/

Nathan,

This has recently changed...Reference AMA final vote for RCA-09-1 "passed"...Here is the link:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/...erobatics.aspx

The proposal read:

"8.2 […] A flier must move out of Sportsman class at the end of the calendar year of his/her second or subsequent year of participation if he/she places first or second and above at least 4 other fliers (having recorded an official flight) in any sanctioned pattern contest."

This should be effective starting 2009...Those competing this year will not be required to advance in 2009 unless they want to...

LLD

Oh, thanks for the 'heads up.' I didn't know this was changed.

Good job Joe,
Glad to see you had a good time. Sorry the turnout was poor but like you said, with the Nats next week everyone is
at their home field practicing. If you do go to Sayre, Westmoreland, or Oasis the turnout should be around 25-30
with 5 or more in sportsman. In D1 masters is always the largest classs. I was going to head out to Sayre but don't think I will
make it to anything but the season finale at Jackson NJ.

And if you want to drive all the way up here, we're having a contest August 9.

I'm glad you had a good time. There's some good flyers around Deleware and New Jersey. Should have a few contests around there.

Dennis

Now to Mr. Diamond are you going to Quincy or the Weak Signals contest?

Dennis,

Man you tracked me down here...I can run but I can't hide...

We'll hopefully make Quincy...As Mark said, time to stop making excuses...I still haven't flown the Titan...Hopefully next weekend if all goes well.

We will not be making the Weak Signals...It's a haul at 7 1/2 hours...But hopefully a couple others...

Larry D.