...about getting into it, but how similar is it to 3D flying? And just how much fun is pattern, compared to freestyle 3D?

Do you like going to the driving range to see how far you can crush the ball (even if you shank a few) or do you prefer the links and trying to break 70?

Pattern is not fun, it’s work. But with work comes reward! Master pattern and I’ll bet there’s nothing you won’t be able to do in 3D (if you still want to that is once precision is in your blood!)

Let me try to give an example of 3-D versus Precision flying in a different manner and I'm not saying one is better than the other -I'm certainly not putting down 3-D. I happen to enjoy Pattern and just want to present a different view point. Having said that , Here goes :

I just came home from our annual FallFest Heli Fun Fly. Now what does heli flying have to do with pattern you ask ?

Well a really accomplished heli flyer, sorry I don't know his name, put on an amazing 3-D demo flight with all the wild 3-D stuff we've all seen these helis do.

As the next gentlemen was taking off he commented , "Here's something you should try, I think you'll enjoy it. "

Then he went through 3 different series of precise sets of maneuvers such as starting from a hover, roll right, then pirrouette, then flip it up and over to an inverted hover. Then reversing the sequence returning to the spot he began from. He then did it to the left and said " After you master this start from inverted and do it all again."
He did 2 other sets that not being into Helis I don't know how to describe properly. While flying each sequence he demonstrated how they shoud look when done correctly. It didn't look hard but he was placing the helicopter precisely in a spot in the sky and making it do a specific thing and end up in a new location precisely in another spot in the sky. Not just letting it go anyole where across the sky and spin or roll or whatever .

Later the 3-D flyer said " Ok, walk me through it and I'll give it a try". He went up and tried it, with the other gentleman talking him through the sequences. He really struggled to do it and commented on how difficult it was. Now here's a guy who earlier flew a 3-D flight that was just amazing - BUT he was letting it happen wherever the heli just happened to be in the sky at the time. Now he was having to work really HARD to attempt to place that heli "precisely" where he wanted it. I bet when he gets home he does a lot more of that.
One of our local heli flyers said" Man I walked over here to see you do something, stop doing that boring stuff and show me something good".

My point is the 2nd gentleman was flying his helicopter precisly , very much like we "pattern" guys fly our planes.
We usually only see 3-D done with rc helis just as most people think 3-D is the "thing" to do with planes when you get really good.

Precision flying , where you can place you plane in a spot in the sky, make it do a specific thing and end up in the same spot you started or a predetermined new "spot" in the sky requires discipline and hard work . It may at first look boring because it tends to be at a slower pace, much smoother and definitely more deliberate. But when you learn to do it, there is a thrill that I don't get from 3-D'ing just anywhere across the sky. Please don't misunderstand me, 3-D is cool too and I have a plane to do that with and sometimes I want to just relax and ring it out but I quickly get enough of that and go back to my pattern plane and working on my sequences.

I hope this helps. Sorry it got so long but I wanted to try and share a different view of precision flying.

When you see what pattern is about you may really enjoy it. As Scott said your 3-D flying will automaticaly get better .

So, if I'm seeing this right, getting into patter will require many flights a day, possibly?
I've always figured pattern to be just a more precise way of flying, rather than busting all-out 3D moves whener I feel like it.

Soo, pattern is, if I'm right, learning to perfect a certain move, say a knife edge loop, and end the element exactly where it was started?

Yes .that's a pretty good analogy.
the first step starts out pretty basic and it's called sportsman class and you can fly in it with almost any plane so you don't have to go out and spend a bunch of money on a purpose built pattern plane just to give it a try.

Taks a look at the National Society of Radio Control Aerobatics(NSRCA)websites below: The NSRCA is the AMA sig for Precision Aerobatics(Pattern). there is lots of information there.
Beginners FAQ
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/beginnerA.htm[/link]
What is Pattern
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/newguysA.htm[/link]
Airplane Trimming Guide
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/trimA.htm[/link]
a List of all the different schedules and their resprective sequences
[link]http://www.nsrca.org/scheduleA.htm[/link]

If you have any more questions , post 'em here we'll try to answer you as best as we can.
And plan on attending a contest even if just to watch. Give it a try before you decide if it 's for you or not. You might be surprised.
Eddie

Oooh, nice info.

I have an Extra 300s from Model Tech that I'm planning on converting to electric. I've never flown it before, but I've heard it can be quite aerobatic. Would this be a good start? I would use my Riot 3D for the job, but it can't quite do most of the maneuvers(flatspins, knife edge flight, blenders, outside loops, ect.) that it should be able to do.

The Extra 300 ,if you put enough power up front, can do fine. Just set it up with smaller throws than 3-d and give some of the maneuvers a try.

IN all fairness the Extra has a shorter moment than most pattern planes (the distance from wing to stab) so it won't be as smooth as a purpose built pattern plane. After you've tried it some ,see if you could get a chance to fly a pattern plane . The distance from the wing to the stab is longer to have more stability in pitch. The feel is quite different.

So set up the extra and fly it for awhile. If you enjoy pattern type flying then you could plan on your next plane being a pattern type plane and you could set the Extra up for 3-d(more throw & more rearward CG). Not many planes will do 3-D & Pattern both very well so most people build seperate planes for each purpose .

Eddie

I've heard that quite a bit, that planes have to be setup for either pattern or 3D. Maybee you can use D/R for both types of flying?

Anyways, as soon as I can get about 200 bucks, then I'll put in an e-power system in the Extra. The one I've chosen should perform great, and do some 3D stuff. The only concern I have is that the ailerons are only about 1" long, and stretch the wingspan. Elevator and Rudder appear to be able to give off sufficient controll.