Could someone tell me what is Pattern Flying ??????? I'm new to this sport !

Thanks Al

I will direct you [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3766720/tm.htm]here.[/link]

"Classic" pattern is different from modern AMA pattern because we fly with very different airplanes and in a non-turnaround style. Most of our airplanes are not the tail wheel airplanes commonly found at a pattern competition. Non-turnaround is where you basically set up a ways out and then come in and execute a maneuver at around midfield. You fly back and forth until your predefined sequence of maneuvers is over. Maneuvers are judged on accuracy and awarded points. It's fun and adds precision and discipline to your flying. Practice it for a few years and you will be amazed how much better your piloting skills become. It's addictive!

what a great description of pattern. thx nathan. now i know what they mean by turnaround also.

I would think that even F3A folks do their share of non-turnaround flying. You've got to practice maneuvers individually before you can string them together in one continuous sequence. At least, that's what I'd do.

Tom

This will help anyone like myself that doesn't know what Pattern Flying is all about !!! Sounds like a lot of Fun and something I wouldn't mind trying !

http://centralhobbies.com/instructional/pattern.html

It's a blast! Snowman's link shows a FocusII which is considered an entry-level full size turnaround pattern airplane. A full size airplane is referred to as a "two meter" plane because it just barely fits into a two meter box, which is the size limit. That being said, you don't need an expensive full size dedicated pattern plane to give it a try.

Print out the Sportsman pattern sequence next time you go out to the field. (http://nsrca.org/scheduleA.htm).

Next time you go out to the field take your most aerobatic plane and the pattern sequence. Give it a try! If it seems easy just give this a thought: If your first maneuver is off a little bit, then ALL following maneuvers will be off unless you find a way to correct the mistake in a discreet manner. Mistakes compound fast!

OR you can try classic non-turnaround pattern. (http://www.seniorpattern.com/rules.asp) (http://www.ballisticpattern.com/)

The non-turnaround planes are 60 size (because of the old 10cc engine limit) and are often a little cheaper.

Here's an example of a beginner classic pattern schedule:

Takeoff (U)
Straight Flight Out (U)
Procedure Turn
Straight Flight Back (D)
Stall Turn (U)
Immelmann Turn (U)
3 Inside Loops (U)
One Horizontal Roll (D)
Landing (U)

NOTE: U means upwind and D means downwind.
ALSO NOTE: That means when the wind changes direction the entire pattern is directionally reversed. This is one of the things that makes the sport interesting. Sometimes you will go to a contest and fly your first round one way and the next the opposite way! [X(]

Sounds like some crazy fun man ! , when my abilitys get that advanced I will have to try it . I have only been flying nine months . My airplanes are a trainer , a Supercub , a Piper Cub 40 , and a Piper Cub 25 . ( I can't help it I LOVE CUBS ) For my next Airplane I have my eye on the E-flite Brio . I'm a ways off from from doing all that fancy stuff !!!!! But I'll get there ,,,, eventually .

Snowman

I know a guy who currently flys the most advanced patterns. He soloed years ago, but got started in pattern a few weeks after he soloed....with his Avistar trainer! You don't NEED to be an expert, but pattern will make you one if you stick with it.

I owned an E-Flite Brio. It's a very nice little airplane and takes the wind pretty well. If you are looking for an easy pattern practice airplane it's a good one, but because of it's size I wouldn't use it for serious pattern competition. PM me if you need any advice on what to buy for it (engine, battery, etc).

Have fun!

What size would be good for a serious pattern plane ? Should I be looking for a 25 size ?The E- Flight Brio comes with the 480 motor or you can upgrade to the Power 10 BL outrunner if a guy need more pony's .
So could I fly pattern with my Cub 25 ? looks like there could be lots of Possibilities for crashing !
Maybe I should get a foam plane to learn on first . What motor battery esc did you have in your Brio ?

The Great Planes Venus ARF (.40-size) has had a lot of good things said about it. It is supposed to be very neutral with very little, if any, control coupling. It's about $150.

Do a search in the main pattern forum for "beginner" or "first" pattern plane. The Venus is recommended the most, it seems.

David

For any airplane you will be bringing to a competition I definitely wouldn't go below 40 size (bigger being better). The Venus 40 is an excellent and relatively inexpensive way to get into it. That being said, a trainer could be used for Sportsman in a pinch. Be aware that these aircraft do not exhibit the positive stability of trainers and sport aircraft. Pattern aircraft are very neutrally stable and will stay where you point them, even if that happens to be straight at the ground. They are not difficult to fly, but won't help you out of a mistake.

A little off topic, but for the Brio I used the 480 with the 40A ESC and the ThunderPower ProLite 11.1v 2100mAh Lipo. I found that combination to be PLENTY of power (could fly vertically until it became a dot at a field elevation of 1052 feet MSL). If you use the 1320mAh lipo you really need to be careful with the throttle and, quite frankly, performance and flight time are limited by the battery.

Thanks Nathan for all the Info , I will take a serious look at the Venus, I may as well be putting my hard earned money into a larger plane . One more question ? what is coupling ?



Alan

When one control input axis creates a change of direction/heading on a different axis.

The most common example is that application of rudder only (yaw) in knife edge flight produces an (unwanted) change in roll or pitch, or both.

Gotch ya , ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Thank you !!!!

You are correct, but be careful when talking about axes. Changing an axis is MUCH different than moving about an axis.

For example, the elevator changes the longitudinal axis, but it makes the airplane pivot about the lateral axis.

A good example of coupling on the average sport airplane would be when you yaw the airplane (rudder) it typically rolls it in the same direction. You didn't touch the ailerons, but the airplane still rolled with use of the rudder. Our pattern airplanes don't (or shouldn't) exhibit that coupling.